Christina

because there is more to the story

Hey! You’re here. Thank you.

Do you have a minute? There is someone I want you to meet.

This is Christina.

Can I tell you about her?

We knew we could never replace Yaya. That goes without saying, but still I must say it. Yaya taught us how to love, and she would want us to put that love to use.

We told ourselves we would know when it was time.

Then we saw this video, and we just knew.

Vintage Pet Rescue is a shelter in Rhode Island that specializes in senior and special needs dogs. Early in May they took in three chihuahuas with neurological abnormalities rescued from a truly horrific hoarding situation. They gave the girls much needed medical care, love, and attention, and named them for three queens of pop: Avril, Britney, and Christina.

Like I said, we just knew.

We made the calls, we filled out an application, we hoped and hoped and hoped.

I figured it was reasonable to buy just one new dog toy (as you can imagine, we have many), so Christina would feel special.

We prepared a dog bed in the back seat and drove to Rhode Island to meet Dunkin’s new sister.

Turns out Christina loves butt scritches and she climbed right into my lap to show me how it’s done.

Rebecca took this in the back seat as we drove home from the shelter. Christina was ready to be home.

Now here’s the part that really gets me. We weren’t sure how long it would take Dunkin to accept a new sister into his home. He and Yaya had something special, and we wanted him to have a companion, but we knew the transition would take time.

This is where our Dunkin, our neurotic, scared, nervous little Dunkin surprised us. He immediately knew what to do. He greeted Christina gently. He gave her a little sniff and then went about his business. I don’t know that anyone has ever cried over a butt sniff, but let me tell you I sure did.

Listen, I am no expert in dog psychology. The urge to project my emotions on to these little beings is strong. That said, it is so clear to me that Dunkin is giving Christina the grace and patience that Yaya gave him.

I can’t help but feel Yaya in all of it.

Plus, Dunkin just likes to get bossed around by a small, powerful lady.

Christina is somewhere between 1 and 2 years old.She is tiny, but mighty. A puppy who has been through hell. Somehow, she is trusting and open and ready to see what else the world has to offer. She is tiny, but mighty. We are grateful to be her family.

Thank you for caring for our little family through these last hard weeks. I’ve said it before, but the way you held Yaya, and held us, is something I will never forget.

This world is unbearable, and yet.

There is more to the story.

I promise I’ll talk about books next week. When I’m not staring into Dunkin and Christina’s eyes, I’m reading the new Maggie O’Farrell!

More on all of it soon.

I’m glad you’re here.

Love,

Rosamond

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