Reader Rescue Story: Magnolia

This week’s reader rescue story is about a puppy called Magnolia, or Maggie for short. This sweet girl was found wandering the streets with her sisters before they were picked up and taken to the shelter. We hope you enjoy reading her story as much as we did.

If you are the pet parent of a rescued dog, we want to share your story, too! For information about submitting your story, click here.

After Losing My Beloved Dog, Would I be Able to Love Another Puppy?
By Kerri Mulligan

In December 2010, our dog Meicie passed away. Meicie was everything to us – our baby, our companion – whenever we were feeling down, sick or just not having a good day, we could just call her name and all 100 pounds came running to jump on our laps and make us feel better. The day she left us was probably the hardest day of our lives.

After few weeks my husband, Jason, started to bring up the topic of getting another dog. I didn’t want any part of that conversation. I had lost my pup of 12 years and couldn’t even imagine having another dog in my life. I wanted Meicie back!

Weeks turned into months and I was starting to feel that something just wasn’t right when I came home. Jason would be there, but there was something off, something was missing. I finally figured out that I missed having something there running around my feet, excited to see that I was home. I told Jason it might be time for us to start thinking, only thinking, about the possibility of getting another dog. I wasn’t completely sold on the idea, but I knew at some point we would eventually have another, so I told him I would think about it.

I started looking at breeders’ websites, and even though the puppies were cute I just didn’t know if my heart was completely ready for a new dog. I didn’t know if I could love another pup like I loved Meicie.

After looking at several different sites, I came across Southern Jewel Rescue in Olive Branch, Miss., where my sister lives. I thought it would be nice to possibly get a dog from there.

There were so many dogs! Then there they were: three Lab puppies, all sisters, one black and two yellow. They were 4 months old.

All three of them were found together, abandoned and walking around a busy intersection. Thankfully, a Good Samaritan picked them up and brought them to Southern Jewel. They named the two yellow puppies Buttercup and Sunshine and the black one Darby.

Looking at their pictures, I knew that one of them was going to be our new puppy, but which one? This was going to be a difficult decision. I emailed the pictures to Jason and asked him to choose one. He wrote back right away and said Darby. He said, just look at those eyes and floppy ears. So that was that. Darby was going to be our next dog.

I emailed Southern Jewel right away and let them know we wanted her. Within the hour I received an email back asking that I fill out an adoption application.

The next morning my cell rang and on the other end was the best news I’ve ever heard – Darby was ours! I couldn’t believe it! It happened so fast!

Jason and I were so excited that we were going to be puppy parents again! After throwing around some names and asking friends and family for their ideas, I said she’s coming from Mississippi, and the state flower is the magnolia, so how about Magnolia?

We decided Magnolia would be her official name, but we would call her Maggie for short. We received all the information on her transportation process, but unfortunately we both had to work the day she was coming. Luckily my parents were available and picked her up.

I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. Then my parents finally pulled into our driveway. She was here! I ran outside and opened the car door. Inside was the most precious, adorable, but scared face I’ve ever seen. My mom gently passed her over to me and I could feel her shaking. I didn’t know what to do, so I carried her into the house and just sat with her. After a little while, she got up and lay down under our kitchen table, where she stayed for the next few hours.

Jason came home from work all excited to see her and said, “Where is she?” I pointed to her under the table and he literally got down and curled up with her.

Almost a year later she is the most loved, spoiled and playful puppy I know. Every night when we go to bed, here comes Maggie claiming her spot right in between us.

Her little puppy personality keeps us laughing all the time. She is definitely the princess in the house and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Rescuing her was the best decision we’ve ever made.

PHOTO: Kerri Mulligan 

i Love Dogs, Inc.

i Love Dogs, Inc.’s three websites – ilovedogs.com, ilovedogfriendly.com and findavet.us – provide information and up-to-the-minute news to keep pet parents aware of all things dog. A premium canine vitamins and lifestyle company, i Love Dogs is famous for its line of diamond dog collars. The name says it all — at i Love Dogs, we are committed to the health and happiness of our canine companions.

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