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Faith: I has it … er … her
By Gina Spadafori
June 11, 2009
The worst kept secret in the world: The Red Puppy stayed.
She decided this the moment she was born, many hours after her siblings and after a stillborn sister. My darling veterinarian, Dr. Bill, and both of the other “grandmas” were sure that she wasn’t going to be born alive, but she had other plans.
She was the largest puppy, the loudest, the best eater, the first to open her eyes … and she knew from the moment she was born that she was never, ever leaving.
I was at the airport at 4 this morning putting her sister Keen on a plane, their other siblings having left on Sunday when Mary and Katie did. When I came home, I decided to crawl back into bed for another couple of hours before work … and she snuggled right in, too.
Her name is Faith, and has been since she was born. I miss her siblings much, much more than she and her mother combined (I don’t see them crying, but I am!).
She was always The One Who Was Staying.
It was out of my hands. One has to have Faith, after all.
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Faith has had her red collar a long time. I wonder when she will go without it.
She still has her forward look, as opposed to a shy, sideward gaze. To me she seems like a confident, smart, and curious pup.
So many of your readers knew it would be lonely without the other five pups. May you heal soon from the separation stage. It is a tough deal.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — June 11, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
Okay - so this is a gimme - so sue me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSvHpvHFXU0
Comment by The OTHER Pat — June 11, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
Sometimes the chosen do the chosing. Actually, that happens a lot!
Congrats to you and Faith. Long may she run.
P.
Comment by PBurns — June 12, 2009 @ 4:25 am
I have always loved blue jeans (thanks the OTHER Pat)…
Looking forward to Faith filled posts…
Comment by Carol V — June 12, 2009 @ 5:02 am
I had forgotten about that song! But then, I think I have mentally blocked out most of the ’80s. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 12, 2009 @ 5:50 am
I spend so much time evaluating pups, and re evaluating, and comparing growth and development charts, and generally doing all the things that are scientifically proven to help us choose the ‘right’ puppy. Then, some of the times, one pup just reaches up and latches on to your heart, and all the rational reasons for choosing them go out the window.
The strange thing is, the from the heart pups tend to turn out to be the ‘right’ picks almost as often as the rather more dispassionately chosen pups do. I’m not sure what this says about the process…
Comment by FrogDogz — June 12, 2009 @ 7:22 am
Gina, this reminds me of a line from the movie Juno: “He was always hers.”
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — June 12, 2009 @ 7:42 am
How could you not want that puppy? I am going to be an auntie this weekend when my sister picks up her new golden pup. She lost two of the world’s best goldens in the last year, and we are mucho excited for a puppy.I “tried” to help her pick a breeder, but they did it all on their own. I gotta have faith there. Long happy life sweet Faith!
Comment by Nancy Freedman-Smith CPDT — June 12, 2009 @ 9:21 am
Ya gotta have Faith, Faith, Faith…
Every time I’ve been blessed to have a litter here there has always been that one special pup from the very beginning for me. I try to be extra fair, look carefully at the others, evaluate the puppy tests and the developmental charts….basically drive my friends crazy for 8 weeks with “maybe I should keep…” debates…
then I keep the puppy I picked from the very beginning.
Ya gotta have Faith, Faith, Faith….
Welcome Faith. My “heart puppy” just turned 1 year old in April. Her name is “Grace” and she was mine from her very first breath. Lucky me! Lucky Gina! She’s got Faith! :)
Comment by Wendy — June 12, 2009 @ 9:42 am
hmmm… I never think of the George Michael “Faith,” I’m a Cure fan:
“I went away alone
With nothing left
But faith”
That song works out well for this situation! ;o)
She’s gorgeous, Gina! Great ending.
Comment by stellaluna — June 12, 2009 @ 9:58 am
the happy ending isn’t really that at all - it’s a great beginning….aaah….thanks for sharing.
Comment by francis — June 12, 2009 @ 11:09 am
“It’s faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.”
—Oliver Wendell Holmes
Faith, too, had faith. She waited patiently in there for you—-knew you would come for her. Always will.
Joie de vivre for you both.
In the photos, it appears that she has McKenzie’s distinctive eye shape which is so beautiful and expressive.
Looking forward to reading more about this precious one and follow-ups on the other darlings.
Comment by NadineL — June 12, 2009 @ 11:43 am
“She was the largest puppy, the loudest, the best eater, the first to open her eyes … and she knew from the moment she was born that she was never, ever leaving.”
Sounds like you may have your hands full, lol!~
Looking forward to watching her grow up and hearing about your adventures together. Enjoy!! :)
Comment by straybaby — June 12, 2009 @ 9:39 pm
I’m sure it’s a hard thing to part with all the puppies…
BUT…You have Faith!
Comment by Marcy — June 13, 2009 @ 12:06 am