My husband and I each brought a dog into our marriage – his Golden Retriever, Nalla, and my Yorkie Poo, Jack. We posed as a foursome for our engagement photos. They helped us weather multiple moves, job changes, losses and the births of both our children. They were sweet companions with large personalities. And last year, within the space of 6 months, they both passed away.
It was a huge blow to our family. The kids didn’t know life without Nalla and Jack. I didn’t know Dan before Nalla. Those two dogs left a gaping void in our family when they made their journey to the Rainbow Bridge.
Thank goodness for Pearl. Not that one pet can replace another, because they certainly cannot. But if this dog doesn’t make you smile, there is something wrong with you.
It was a case of love at first sight. My husband was really pushing to get another dog, and I was hesitant. I am a dog person, but one with an allergy to dogs, and I found there was something to be said for breathing easily. And then as I scrolled Facebook one evening, there she was on my Newsfeed. The breeder called her “Miss Purple,” and Miss Purple and her brothers and sisters (Miss Pink, Mr. Orange, etc.) were an adorable heap of puppy goodness. But she stood out to me instantly.
I showed the picture to my husband, and, a few days later, he walked into our house with a tiny puppy tucked into his jacket. I will never forget the screams of delight from our children when Pearl popped her little head out of Dan’s coat.
Dan named Pearl in honor of one of our best friends, but I will save you the story of the circuitous connections that get us to “Pearl.” What you really need to know about Pearl is that she thinks she is a person. She is intuitive, wild and dear. And adorable. Totally, incontrovertibly adorable. And I can’t forget entertaining. She regularly chases, and catches, her own tail, after which she will proceed to gnaw on it. She is not above catching her back leg, either.
She is a Golden Doodle, but as we always explain, she’s more Golden than Doodle. This means she has a Golden’s sweet disposition and straight hair, and it also means that hair ends up all over our floors. And furniture. And clothing. Lint roller, anyone?
But the most important thing about Pearl is that she brings us lots of smiles, laughs and cuddles. She definitely belongs in the happy jar, and you will hear a lot more about her if you stick around here!