“You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” We’ve all heard this phrase throughout our lives. We nod our heads and agree without really thinking about it. The truth is, most of us do know what we had, we just didn’t think we’d ever lose it. 

Not that long ago I was inundated with pets in my house. At one point there were four dogs, three cats, and a number of miscellaneous fish and reptiles. Honestly, there were too many. At least one of them was always underfoot, there was animal hair everywhere and on everything, and pandemonium ensued every time the doorbell rang. 

By the time our youngest daughter left home just over a year ago and took her share of the pets along with her we were left with just two dogs and one cat. A nice, manageable number. 

Then we lost our 18 year old Jack Russell terrier, Max. Not long after that Little Girl, our four pound. yorkie, also passed away. The only pet left in our home was Katniss Le Mew, our tortoiseshell cat. And although she’s a great cat it just wasn’t enough.

The house was strangely and sadly quiet without the menagerie of pets running everywhere and greeting me enthusiastically when I came home. I haven’t lived without a dog since I was a kid, and I didn’t like it. I missed the chaotic life I’d had not that long ago. I missed my pack.

Into our lives came Lita, a one year old Jack Russell mix. I’d been checking out pet rescue sites on occasion, looking for a small scruffy dog without high hopes of actually finding one. The majority of rescues seem to be big dogs, which I love, just not in my house. Looking through the photos of the latest group of dogs being brought to Minnesota by Ruff Start Rescue this spring, I came across a photo of the cutest, scruffiest dog who looked like she was smiling. I knew immediately she was the one.

We picked her up at the end of June from Ruff Start Rescue’s office in Princeton. Within a couple of hours she’d sniffed out every inch of our house and much of the property and was happy to let us hold and pet her. For the first couple of days she was devastated when we left her behind and ecstatic when we returned. She wouldn’t let me leave a room without being glued to my feet.

After a couple of weeks it was like she’d always been there. She was comfortable and confident of her place in our lives and her personality came shining through. I’ve honestly never met such a happy dog, full of life and high spirits. It’s almost like she knew what we needed in our lives and had decided it was her job to fill that need.

The best part is that in looks, intelligence, and personality she’s like a mixture of the two dogs we’d just lost. 

My husband, who didn’t want another dog, is just as enamored with Lita as I am. She came into our lives, wormed her way into our hearts, and filled the empty space we didn’t realize was there. 

I’m not going to tell you to not take your blessings for granted. We all know that. But I do want to tell you to watch for unexpected joy, as it can show up in unexpected ways when you’re not looking for it.

I also want to put in a plug for rescue animals and rescue organizations like Ruff Start Rescue. You’ll never find a more grateful dog than one that you’ve just given a forever home to. They’re just happy to be loved and part of a family, and isn’t that what we’re all looking for?