Adoption

One week ago today, Randy got an email that has already changed our lives.  We have been approved for an adoption for a sweet, 1-year old little girl.  Her name is Posie, but we're thinking about changing her name to Mira- short for Miracle.  Wanna see a picture of the newest addition to the Randy Dirks' family?  Yes?!  Good, cause I am bursting to show you!

Isn't she gorgeous?!?!

Caden had made a comment once, during one of his more pain-filled moments, that he wished he had a dog to just snuggle and pet.  This got us thinking that our entire family would benefit from a therapy dog.  Saturday, we talked to our Social Worker about the many benefits, asking if she had any suggestions for a company to go through.  She said she would get us an article of a study done about benefits, and would ask around for organizations that could possibly help us find a therapy dog.  And, of course, Randy got on and researched different places himself.  Randy researches everything.  Five emails later, we waited anxiously for any response.

Four hours after the first email was sent, there was an email waiting for Randy from a place just two hours north of the hospital- Brigadoon Service Dogs.  They wondered if we would be interested in a sweet Chihuahua/Yorkie mix.  We have never really wanted a tiny dog like that, so Randy sent them a reply that that wouldn't be a great fit for our family.  I was scared, thinking we had ruined our chances with the only organization that had actually answered our email query.  After all, beggars can't be choosers, right?  Little did we know that our Heavenly Father was working to get us our sweet Miracle.

During the time after Randy said no to the other dog, a foster family that helps to train dogs in family life and obedience called Denise, owner and founder of Brigadoon, saying that Posie was just not going to work out as a Service Dog.  She is too timid and shy around new people and new places.  In essence- she is just too gentle to be a leader.  The only thing she wants in life is to be loved and snuggled.  They were sad to make the decision, because they had fallen in love with her so completely, but they new they needed to get another puppy to train.  She was ready to be sold as a therapy dog.  One hour after Randy's refusal, they offered Posie to us.  Sunday morning, our last day of the five-day Irinotecan, Randy drove up to Bellingham to check her out.  He said the moment she walked into the room he knew she was the one.  After hearing more of our story, more of our needs, they knew she was meant for our family.  They called it fate.  We call it The Hand of a Loving Heavenly Father.

Sunday night, we were bursting to tell Caden that we had found him the perfect dog.  We kind of wanted to surprise him with her in person at Brigadoon on Tuesday, but I couldn't wait another minute.  We showed him her picture and subtly asked her what he thought of her.  He said she was a cute dog, and started to eat some dinner, and then, then he got it.  Electric went through his body as the realization hit him.

"WAIT, is she mine?  Is she my dog?"  And the tears began to fall.

He could barely keep it together for the rest of the night.  Each time he thought of her, he would choke up again.  He was so excited about every single aspect of having her.  He said he would do anything, if it meant that she was his.  At that moment, without a dog to touch or even see in person, she changed his outlook on life.  He was thinking of things he wanted to do with her (take her to the river, take her camping, take her on the Badger Mountain hike, etc), looking forward with hope and excitement for better days.  She was an answer to prayers for the delicate mind and psyche of The Boy in the Bed.  His first order of business- to change her name to Miracle, but call her Mira.

"Heavenly Father gave me a Miracle."

 Meeting her for the first time.  And the tears began to fall.

Mira will be spayed on March 2.  She will be kept and trained (she has been trained extensively since she was 5 months old, remember) until Caden is well enough to take her home after his own recovery.  We are trying to get a time where she can visit him in the hospital, too.  It may not happen, but even the thought gets Caden excited.  I love her already for what she has done for him.

We were able to tell the kids on Friday night.  Caden choked up being able to deliver the line, "And the best part about her?!  She's ours!"  And the tears began to fall.  For all of us this time.