Today, I had one of my all-time favorite photo sessions with one of my all-time favorite puppy girls: Ms. Gabrielle aka Gabby. Gabby was saved from one of the most vile puppymill environments in Florida when she was only 4 weeks old. She was placed in a foster home since her mom was too malnourished to nurse her or the rest of her litter. The foster home happened to be my next-door neighbors, Tim and Tiffany.
I met Gabby when she was 6 weeks old. She was bouncing around the front yard and when I spotted her, I just knelt down on the grass. When she spotted me, she ran over to me as fast as she could -- falling and rolling head over heels a couple of times -- and then just jumped into my arms and started kissing me. And I've been her Grandpa Jim ever since.
At 10 weeks of age, Tiffany's mom in Chicago decided she could not resist this little ball of loving, trusting fur so she asked if she could adopt Gabby and tomorrow, Gabby flies to Chicago with Tiffany to start her new life. A life that in all likelihood would never had continued had she stayed in the puppymill environment. We really don't know what combination of dogs she is. Probably some Border Terrier and maybe some Havanese. But whatever combination it is, it's absolutely the cutest bunch of genes I've ever seen. Here are a few pics from our photo session today.
First up, the divine Ms. G and her green boa.
Next, Gabby thinking about a luau.
Gabbs trying on Sundance's wings from his 2009 Halloween costume.
And, finally, a serious headshot for all of Gabby's new friends.
Seeing how this confident, loving and ebullient puppy has survived a horrendous start to her life is tremendously rewarding for all the people who are responsible for saving her. I saw the pictures of the place where she was born. I was nauseated. But seeing her today is the reason a lot of us are involved in rescue work. She has already brought immeasurable joy to lots of people. And now she'll have a lifetime to give it to a family that really wants her. I'll miss "my" Gabby. But I'll never forget her.
Jim
