Bishops and Brigadoon

 On their way home from The Grove of the Patriarchs, Russ got a call from their Stake President, asking if they could meet.  Ashlee immediately felt that Russ was going to be called to Bishop.  She was right.  Friday after school, we packed up to head to Mount Vernon.  On the way, we stopped off for a surprise of our own-- Brigadoon had another puppy (9-months old) that was being placed out of service.  It wasn't that she wasn't going to be a good dog for service, but because she has an injury.

Mira thought we were going to leave her, so she started to put on the skids immediately when we arrived.  Once she realized that we weren't leaving her, she was a little more open to being there.  Deja was SO excited to have someone to play with, but Mira quickly let her know that her excitement was too much.  Deja quickly corrected her enthusiasm and Mira started to pounce and play.  We told them that we'd take Deja home with us on our way home from Mount Vernon on Sunday.

It was so strange being in a near-empty chapel with everyone wearing masks!

These two pictures sum up so much about Ashlee.  Her hands, like the Savior's, offer so much love and support, and they offer up the best tickles.

It was special hearing my Dad confirm Russ a member of the High Priesthood, and see Randy in the circle.  We missed the Johnsons and Burrell/Buehler families, but it was neat knowing they could watch via Zoom.  It was a beautiful meeting, filled with a sweet spirit.

After a Sacrament service at home, we did a quick lunch and then Randy and I got on the road, while my parents and Brennon stayed back for a little extra visit time.

I wish I could say this was the start of a beautiful relationship, but this was just seconds before the most stressful week began.  Mira snarled and growled and barked nearly the entire 3-hours home if Deja got even remotely close to her.

The kids were instantly in love, but Mira...

literally turned her head as far away as possible.

We considered another dog as a sort of comfort and a live-in playdate for Mira, not because we wanted another dog.  We didn't want it to change Mira, didn't want things to change unless it was fun for all.  Every time Mira rejected her was a heartbreak.  Every morning Mira snarled at her the second Deja came up to her was hard.  Anyone could clearly see that all Deja wants is to love.  She craved attention from Mira most, and Mira just wouldn't give it.  In fact, there were times Deja would come lay near her and Mira would quickly stand and walk away.  Or Deja would army crawl and tentatively touch Mira and she'd rip herself away as if she'd been burned.  This was not what we expected, especially after the relationship she's had with both of Ashlee's dogs.  It breaks my heart.

The snarling has gotten better, as well as Mira's reaction to Deja, but we've made the decision that it would be better for Deja to go to live with Danielle.  We prepared Danielle for the possibility, and it's a relief to know that Deja will get as much love and attention she craves from every single person living in her home.  Our humans love her so much, but we love her enough to realize that she deserves so much more than Mira is giving her.  We truly hope that when they visit, they'll be better friends than they are "sisters."

She's scheduled for surgery on October 14th.  She'll have a follow-up a week after.  If the follow-up shows that she's healing well, Danielle and Taylor will travel up and take her home on the 24th where she'll then become Hannah.  She'll need a follow-up x-ray in six to eight weeks, so we're hoping he can do it around Thanksgiving.

We got Deja for free from Brigadoon because of the price of the surgery.  Danielle and Taylor are going to pitch in, and Randy looks at the rest of the cost as a donation to an amazing cause: The people that gave us Mira, Brigadoon Service Dog School.

The very night we got everything finalized with Danielle and Taylor, we caught Mira allowing Deja to snuggle.  It does give me hope that someday they can be good friends.

It's been interesting to see the changes in Deja from learned behaviors from Mira.  We've noticed a calming in her, especially in the morning, when she was always most hyper.  She still has puppy tendencies, but like Mira, she's a good, well-trained dog.  She's so soft, loves to snuggle, and snores like a pig when she sniffs and sleeps.  She is a joy to be with.  I can't wait to watch her become as much of a blessing to Danielle's family as Mira is to ours.