Pip is recharging
Late that horrible Saturday night, my family walked into our now-empty house and were crippled by the pain of Banjo the dog’s death. At that moment, we vowed to take some time between dogs. We were emotionally (and financially) drained.
I picked up the phone the next day and called Vicki, the breeder who gave us Banjo (as a rescue). When he died, he was the last Calirose Border Terrier living. Her dogs were and had produced a distinguished string of champions. Banjo wasn’t one of them. But he was champion when it came to having heart. I told her the bad news about his death and thanked her profusely for allowing Banjo and Molly (our other Border Terrier who died in November 2010) into our lives.
A few days later, Vicki let us know that a friend of hers, Jim, had a Border Terrier who had a litter of pups. We told her we’d think about it and would let her know. But then she said, “They were born right about the time Banjo died.” The coincidence was too much.
Our plans to wait a year between dogs shrank to weeks. But it wasn’t a bad thing. My wife and I hadn’t gone a day without saying, “We miss Banjo.”
Sometimes you don’t find a dog. Sometimes the dog finds you.
Pip came home yesterday. She’s the smallest of the litter — not a runt, but small. Jim started calling her Pip for Pipsqueak and it stuck. She also was the most alert and first to greet Jim when he came to the box to check on them. She walked into our home like she has been in it for years and loves to play with all three of my boys. She’s pretty much house trained and loves to cuddle with my wife. She’s mostly black right now, but will lighten up like her mother Twinkee as time goes on. (her father, Rocky, has black fur). Her mother was incredibly smart and by all indications, she is a chip off the old block. It is going to be a fun ride.
We still miss Banjo. Like I’ve said so many times before, he was a special dog. But I know Pip will be special, too. Talking to Jim yesterday, I found out that Pip was born nearly at the same exact moment Banjo died. I don’t know if any of Banjo’s spirit got into this feisty little girl. But I’d like to believe it did.
Of course it did. Otherwise, why would she be with you?
Your blog usually brings me to tears from one of these four feelings: happiness, sadness, pain, amusment. This one.. All four. Thank you.
I agree with Karla. Thank you, Marshall.
We lost our beat friend of 14 years Rock on Friday it’s very hard ro deal with it did help when I saw the pic of pip. He was family to us
We iz sad for your lost but happy for your future.
good.
It looks like you have let an angel into your lives who will occasionally be a devil, that’s puppies for you. I wish you much joy from you new member of the family. You will alway miss Banjo he will occupy that place in your hearts where all loved animals go.
Was so saddened by the loss of Banjo, as I know all of you were, but so happy that you have a new furbaby in your life. Pip can never take the place of Banjo, but she will make a place of her own. Banjo is looking down on y’all and is happy that you have another little baby to love as you did him. Can’t wait to hear about the journey that this little girl will have in her new life. I am so happy for all of you and especially for Pip. God Bless you all.
I love that you and your family do not hoard the love you have dwelling in your hearts! Love is meant to be shared! Thank you for illustrating that wonderful truth to your readers. Now I can’t wait to see what sort of antics Pip will be up to!! God Bless!
Nothing starts the healing process of a broken heart quite like a puppy. It never ceases to amaze me how with babies and puppies, we can love the instant we set our eyes on them. Pip was meant to be part of your family and bring you all the joy and happiness that Banjo did. So happy for your family.
I’m so happy for you, your family and that Pip found you. Life’s amazing to me how things like this work out. Our 1st dog as a family found us, was the runt of the litter. She didn’t get such a noble name as Pip, she was Wimp, the wonder dog. And she was.
Wonderful for Pip and the Ramsey clan.
Congratulations on your new baby. She will become a special part of your lives, never taking Banjo’s place but just carrying on where he left off. I think it’s great and the picture of her is precious. It will be great to fill your lives with some laughter and joy from another pup.
We lost our dear corgi to lymphoma 3 days before my birthday in July. Although it broke my heart and I still can’t talk about it without crying, I’ve been searching shelters and rescues from Texas to Georgia looking for a puppy. Friday, my husband found one at a breeder that was born 2 days after my birthday. I go see him tomorrow.
Congratulations to your family including Pip!
We too lost a much loved dog named Jim & never thought we would have another. Then along came Gyp – he has changed our lives completely & is a totally different character to Jim. He’s gone but still loved & never forgotten and Gyp fills a whole in our hearts and is also much loved. Pip will become an important part of your family. Love & Best Wishes xx
Congratulations on your family’s new addition : ) Pip is such a cute name. I know you said that it was short for Pipsqueak, but when I first saw it I thought of the phrase, “Ain’t that a Pip”. God is good and He has perfect timing. I’m sure Banjo would approve.
Cute puppy! I know you already madly in love with her. When our sweet Buddy, the Roller Dog, died, we also vowed to wait a while before getting another. He had been paralyzed for almost 3 years and it took a LOT of work to be his “parents.” I thought we needed to rest a while before taking on any more responsibility. Then, 4 whole days later, we ended up with TWO more doxies from the shelter. We just couldn’t wait. And, though we still miss our little Buddy, our house would just be too quiet without these 2 little guys.
i have a brussles griffon rescue from their foundation . had her two years she was from a puppy mill. she has been quite ex pensive, several operation. i had a white scottish terrier that i loved that had died my husband had died and my housekeeper of 40 years also that year i adopted this puppy and she is saving me as i save her great love story. i have a shitzu and they sleep side by side more companions than the scottie they are very independent. so congrats on you new baby. r
What an awesome coincidence! Blessings to you all.
Congrats Marshall! The most interesting fact I saw in your post is that Banjo was the last Calirose Terrier. You need to elaborate on that subject sometime, just for this reporter’s curiosity.
I’m so happy for you and your family!
She is absolutely precious! I’m so happy for you and your family! And, there is no doubt in my mind that a part of Banjo’s spirit is in that wee one!!