Yesterday, my husband and I finalized the adoption of our new dog, an eight-month-old border collie mix who has been missing a front leg since birth.
It sounds corny, but watching her can’t help but lift my spirits, sliding on the ice and regaining her balance without even noticing something went wrong, hopping and jumping across the snow, asking to go faster. She doesn’t care one iota that she only has 3 legs, doesn’t even know that most dogs have 4.
It’s only been a little over a month since our year-and-a-half-old lab/pit mix, Harper, was hit by a car and killed. The intensity of my pain and grief over losing her has been astonishing to me. I miss her with all my heart, and I think about her every day. We thought it might be too soon to adopt another dog, but I literally could not stand the absence of a dog in the house, so we started working with a great rescue to find one.
We were looking for another large dog, Harper’s age or a little older, since I couldn’t bear to go through all the puppy business again so soon (we’d gotten Harper when she was 5 weeks old). What we fell for was an eight-month old border collie mix puppy who tips the scales at about 30 lbs, named Indi. The dog chooses you. Every time.
So this morning, I took Indi to one of Harper’s and my favorite walk-spots. Maybe I shouldn’t have, maybe it’s still too soon, because my heart broke all over again, and there were moments that I couldn’t even see the path I was crying so hard. Harper was an amazing, intense, joyful dog and I had an incredible connection with her. But she is gone, and there’s nothing I can do about it. One of the many things she taught me, though, is to live in this moment, right now, with whoever you are really with…and so I tried real hard to that, and this funny little puppy named Indi helped. It’s not fair to Indi to be giving her this sad energy. Fortunately, she’s so damned happy, I don’t think she has noticed.
With Indi, you have to move forward, even if you have to do it on 3 legs instead of 4.
Welcome Indi!
If there is one thing Ive learned, its that each new friend enriches our lives in different ways. You will never forget Harper and Indi isnt a replacement but a new chapter in your life.
Cant wait to see pictures!
Oh, loved your post and can very much relate having just lost our beautiful tripawd at only 2 1/2 to cancer.
It doesn’t sound corny at all that watching her lifts your spirits – tripawds are amazing and inspiring! It’s awesome to be a tripawd pawrent.
Hope Indi helps to heal your broken heart. Looking forward to hearing more of her adventures.
Jackie, Angel Abby’s mom
Congratulations on your new addition! It looks like Harper sent you a wonderful furry penny named Indi.
Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,
Ellen & Charley
so sorry to read about harper, but bravo to you for opening your heart again!! indi sounds like a joy, and even though you are still sad about losing harper, keep trying to enjoy the moments and be more like indi…in time the sadness will be less and your happy memories will help make your new life with indi even better. pictures, we definitely need pictures!!!
charon & spirit gayle
We’re sorry to hear about Harper, but thank you for sharing Indi’s story! we look forward to following her three legged adventures.
Welcome Indi and family.
I’m soooo sorry about Harper.
Losing our best friend is the hardest thing in the world to go through, and we all have different ways of grieving. I think it was Indi’s mission in this world to help you through yours. She sounds like a really sweet pup, we’re glad you’re here.
Welcome to you guys, and congratulations on opening your hearts to the possibilities that Indi represents! As already said, she won’t be a replacement but an addition. She will do as much for you as you can do for her, and you will be amazed at how her spirit can lift yours. I’m so sorry you had to be found by Indi the way you were and wish Harper had been in your family for much more time than she got.
You’ve already recognized how dogs live for today and don’t get caught up in dread or worry or any of those human things. It’s called being more dog and you’ve already learned it. That’s a bonus!
Shari and Dakota and Evelyn the Embarrassment
Sam, I think it so great you started a blog for Indi! I’m really glad she is helping you get over the loss of Harper. I happended across this same site when I first started fostering Indi. I was thinking of the two of you after the ice storm…but it sounds like Indi is having no problems at all with the ice. I can’t wait to read more of the adventures you two will have.
PS-Some of the volunteers at the shelter are also interested in following the blog. She’s a popular one, that Indi!
Megan
Thanks so much for the welcomes and the comments!
Welcome to tripawds! I am so sorry about Harper, but kudos to you for adopting Indi. I can’t wait to see pictures of her.
Jenna and Spirit Chili Dawg