February 20, 2022

The greeting from the White Dog Army was a little overwhelming so we went into the yard and introduced ourselves one at a time. The excitement was generated from weeks of conversations amongst ourselves...and wisdom from The Ever Little White Dog of My Heart.

I promised Siku that our blog and the WDA would continue beyond her time on Earth; that we would always be an Army of Love which had room for those in need. I did not realize how hard the second part of my promise would be. I sat in middle of the night darkness and shared my thoughts. "I cannot even think of another white dog," I told her. "Everyone I see is beautiful and reminds me of you...or Nilla...or YoYoMa ..or your other siblings. It pains me and I feel it would be unfair to a new recruit to carry my baggage."  "There is another option," my eternal wise Girl told me. "Leadership has changed and maybe Zsofia deserves some extra support. She is still young and inexperienced in guiding an Army maybe consider opening your heart to an older Sibe Girl who can join with Bailey in keeping the peace and growing us in new ways."

I gathered the WDA. "Roman, I have seen the tremendous progress you are making. Siku and I are confident that you can accept a new recruit; one not as annoying as Diva can be to you but you are dealing even with her with grace. Zso and Bai, a sister your size will give you another playmate but you will need to be careful not to overwhelm the smaller members. Diva, you must temper your bossiness. Opal, White Dog and I feel you will be the key to making the connections and reassuring a newcomer that she is welcome. We know you won't give up and will show her friendship."

We all agreed that we would take our time to find just the right girl. 

Lilly Marie comes to us from the Siberian Husky Rescue of New Mexico. She was found as a stray on the southern part of our state. She is about 7 years old and pretty unflappable from what we have seen. In her first afternoon, she has discovered salmon treats, the dog door, and sleeping on the bed next to me as I worked. Opal, as expected was the first to run out to the yard for the meet and greet; Zso and Bai have been her tour guides. Roman touched noses through the kitchen gate but he is still wary. "Don't worry, Bud," I told him. "There is no rush. Time and love, remember."

The throw down feast Zsofia planned has been pushed back a bit. We fear it might be too big a digestive adjustment for an outside girl living in a rescue. "I am pretty sure your normal homecooked dinner will seem sumptuous," Steve told the disappointed crowd. He relented a bit by promising that we would have ice cream for dessert...coconut, one of Siku's favorites.

Join us on our new chapter by welcoming Lilly Marie, A New Kind of White Dog.