After saying goodbye to what mattered most to my mom (second to her kids, of course. :)), six months ago, we got to say hello again to Ollie, today.
He was a chocolate lab that showed up on my mom's porch, one day. She fell in love instantly, but knew that with two other big dogs at home, our house would become more of a zoo. She took him the the shelter, and for a week, she called the shelter daily. Only hoping that someone who may have lost him would have claimed him. Or the possibility of someone walking in, would gaze into his sweet eyes, would fall in love with him,just like my mom did. Ollie still didn't have a home. They told my mom that because he was born with such a bad hip, they would most likely euthanize him. What did my mom do? Paid money to get him back and welcomed him into our home. :)
Quickly, he was a part of our family. He was one of the best parts about coming home, when I left for college. One of the sweetest dogs we had ever had-- so gentle in spirit, sensitive and such a lover.
Ollie and my mom's two other dogs, became her immediate family, when we were all out of the house. If my mom didn't have these dogs to love on her, I most likely would have been worried sick. :) She loved them immensely, and those dogs loved her more than anything in the world. When my mom passed away, it was completely evident how sad they were. The person that loved them for so long, fed them, spoiled them, took them to the dog park, was gone. Having to say goodbye to them, was one of the most hard things, after we lost our mom.
Day in and day out, I think about them. I praise God that there were homes available for them. Not just any homes, but homes where they would be loved, as much as my mom loved them.
Today, Elissa and I went to visit Ollie at his new home. He looked as happy as ever. Running around with another chocolate lab and a little chihuahua. His new family loves him to pieces and told us repeatedly today, we could visit whenever we wanted. So thankful to see him today. He hasn't changed. He's still a lover and has that gentle spirit. We are so thankful. We know our mom is too. :)
