This is the story of Melly and how she became a member of our family. We (read me) had always wanted a dog. We (meaning me) had held off getting one until we had a home with a fenced yard and thought we weren't going to move again. So, when we moved to Virginia the last time, 5 years ago, I scoured the Internet and local shelters for a puppy.
Then Hurricane Isabel hit...
For a while, I stopped my search. Partially because we had some cleaning up to do and partially because we had no power for 2 weeks. The week after power was restored, I went on one of my favorite puppy websites and saw Melly. It was love at first sight!
A few weeks later we brought her home. She cost us $100.
(Look how little BoyBoy was!)
We had no idea what she was. Her Foster Mom guessed that she had beagle, basset hound, maybe some dachshund, and some Shepard. We just said she was Heinz 57. Wasn't she cute?
About 3 months after she arrived, she started limping. We noticed that her front paw was pointed to the left...
(Note to self - White Carpet and New Puppy...not a smart combination)
(Quit taking my picture, I am so over it!)
so we (read me) took her to the local vet. I knew I was in trouble when she referred us to an orthopaedic veterinarian. That title just sounds expensive, no? After multiple x-rays and consultations and at least one second opinion, it was determined that she needed surgery. The basset hound in her had reared its ugly head. The surgery cost...wait for it...remember this dog only cost us $100...you are not going to believe...$1800! ACK!!!
Bubba was not having it at all. He kept telling me that we could put Melly down and get a dog with papers for that much. But, how could we put her down? We already loved her!
(What's not to love)
So, I sat at the bottom of the steps and did this:
('Cause this is how I roll)
Until he relented. Poor Melly had the surgery and the loss of dignity that comes with it.
(I can pick up Cinemax with this thing)
She spent 6 weeks with pins in her leg and limited sniffing, frolicking and squirrel chasing in the backyard until she was pronounced healed and allowed to be her normal self again.
(See my pretty, almost straight leg?)
So, that is the story of Melly. Since then she had traveled extensively (to and from Germany). She has fallen in love. She has celebrated many Christmases. She has chased all the rabbits and squirrels out of our back yard, and she has dug herself deeper into our hearts. We love you, Melly, and are so glad you picked us to be your people.
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