Adopt Don’t Shop! Our new Puppy!

We’ve had our puppy, Lucky, for 2 years. He wasn’t from a rescue, but we still consider him a rescue because we adopted him from a family that couldn’t keep him. They had gotten him a few months before (he was only 5 months when he joined our family) and then the husband who was in the Army got orders to move. They said they couldn’t take him with them and he was living with one of their moms. She already had a dog and didn’t have the time to dedicate to a new puppy. We went to meed Lucky and he was a cute little ball of energy who couldn’t get enough of my husband. Our intentions were just to meet him and then think about it, but who are we kidding he came home with us that same day and we’ve loved every minute since.

A couple of months ago we decided that Lucky needed a sibling. He has way too much energy and even taking him for walks doesn’t get it all out. He always gets a burst of energy right before bedtime and then he doesn’t want to lay down in his bed. He needs a friend to share his huge backyard with and keep him company while we’re away. He hates being alone so we were hoping having a sibling will help his anxiety.

I had been checking the website for Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue, where they list all their available dogs. If you are looking for a new pup be sure to check them out. They are amazing, my parent’s adopted on of their beagle from them 10 years ago and he is the sweetest! The only problem I was finding was that all of the events are usually held in the Tampa area. Tampa’s not that far, but still a little too far of a drive just to go to an adoption event. I didn’t give up though I kept checking and seeing lots of cute options, and then I noticed that they were going to be at Barktoberfest at Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando!! It was clearly a sign!

We headed out on a Saturday with Lucky and my Mom determined to find a new sibling! There were lots of rescues at the event,it was huge and they had all kinds of dogs represented, over 100 rescues participated. TBBR was the only one with Beagles. A lot of them also had puppies and we were looking for a slightly older dog, so we didn’t have to go through that puppy potty training stage again.

We met a few dogs and then decided to walk around and check out the other booths. They all had so many cute pups, but in talking to the rescue workers they didn’t seem to know too much about them. We love TBBR because they foster their pups in homes, so they know their personalities and how well they listen and get along with humans as well as other dogs.

They had brought around 10 dogs with them to this event.They were all in good shape and so cute. All available dogs had on cute little scarves that said “Adopt me.” Then we saw Nigel and it was love at first sight, he was so well behaved in his crate waiting for someone to come along and play with him. They took him out so he could meet Lucky and it took a while for the two of them to warm up to each, but eventually they started playing and having a great time together. He was meant to be ours! He’s not full beagle, they’re not sure what he’s mixed with as most rescues don’t come with their history written out. We think it’s probably some type of terrier because of his smaller head and pointy ears. Just look at that face!

Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue is very through with their adoption process. They have you fill out an adoption application, and schedule and interview and home visit. They also have a small adoption fee to help with their efforts to rescue future puppies. Since our family is a previous adoptee of the Rescue, they let us fill out the application at the event and did a small interview and we were set to take Nigel home! We got to talk to his foster mom and learn more about him and ask any questions we had. They gave us what little paper work they had on him and gave us a few instruction about his diet and preferred weight and then we were on our way home. He loved the car ride home!

We made a quick pit stop on our way at PetSmart to get him a new harness, leash, crate and bed. Of course Grandma had to spoil him and buy him that cute little purple cow that he loves as a homecoming gift! His foster mom said that he loves to sleep under the covers so we got him a little blanket to keep in his bed at night. We usually find him in the mornings completely covered under the blanket. He also likes to just lay around and just hold the blanket in him mouth. So far he loves his new him and we love him. He loves sitting on the back of the couch looking out the window and sleeping on the top of the couch.