I had an english bulldog, Bailey Pudgybulls Tank Rosebud, before Dutchie. She died in June of 2004, she would have turned 15 years old on 10/25 of that same year. When she died I could not bear the thought of getting another dog. She truly was very special and I had a very difficult time dealing with her death. So I tried life without a dog while I was mourning her.
About four months after her death, I was lonely and decided that, after having experienced life without a dog, that the benefits of having a dog far outweighed the freedom of not having one. And one of my friends had convinced me that if I did get another animal, that I would not be replacing Rosebud.
I filled out and sent applications to a few rescue organizations........ this is where the story is incredible!....Finally, one Sunday morning in February of 2005, the phone rang and I answered it without screening the call (I never do that!). It was Laurette from the Long Island Bulldog Rescue and she had a bulldog that needed immediate placement.
She sent me an email, it was Dutchie. There was a picture of him and underneath his picture was a message from him "Hi Deborah, it's me Dutch, will you be my new Mom?" I just fell in love with him! I responded yes and could not get to the phone fast enough to call Laurette back.
I called Laurette back. The dog was in Hartford, CT. My niece was going to UConn at that time (!!) AND the following weekend was my birthday! She was coming home for my birthday and would be able to pick Dutch up on her way home and bring him to me!
I believe that this was meant to be! The timing and the way everything fell into place! Dutchie is the best birthday present that I have ever received! And I love him more than anything in the world!
