And then came Sully...

Now known as Harmony

While Clover was sick, I repeatedly said "No more dogs, I can't do this". My heart was hurting so bad and I just never wanted to have to go through a dog being sick and dying again even though I knew I still had this journey someday to cross when Bella's time came (God willing many many many years from now) but that's it. I'm done. I think Clover laughed at me then and when she found Sully/Harmony tapped me on the shoulder and said "Um, Mom....remember when you said no more dogs? I have something different in mind. Her name is Sully".

All Sato Rescue (ASR) has my heart forever. They gave me my Clover. They found her as a six pound less than a year old baby on the streets of Puerto Rico and saved her from "certain death". Because of them I found my baby girl and had 8 beautiful loving years with her. I would not trade those 8 years for 10 extra years of my life.When Clover passed, I emailed them and let them know my girl was gone. I knew they would grieve with me. They walked our life together, enjoyed her once a year in person at the rescue reunions, and got photos on occasion to let them know how she was and that she's still loved even more now than then. When Clover passed I reached out to ASR and Cape Ann Animal Aid (CAAA) to let them know what had happened. They warmed my heart with their responses, particularly ASR of having Edi (the president of ASR), myself and Clover as a banner photo on their web page. In the emails back and forth over the course of the next few weeks and months, Twig, the Secretary for ASR, would mention other Sato's and maybe some day finding another one. I don't remember what I thought when she would email me that. I do know I would always say "Clover will bring me the right one at the right time" something I strongly believe all our beloved dogs do after they pass. On one occasion, Twig had emailed me and mentioned they had puppies they were trying to get to the states. Shortly after that email on September 29, 2020 she sent me two emails, one of Beiber the other of Tobby. They were two really cute dogs that were looking for homes. I knew looking at their photos although super cute, they weren't the ones . I emailed Twig back and thanked her but let her know I didn't think either of these beautiful babies were my next pup.

A month later, I received an email entitled "Sully". I remember my heart beating fast opening the email. The email stated "The second we received the info on the dog below, we (Twig and Edi) both thought of you." As soon as I downloaded the photos (R. and below) I started to cry. It was instantaneous and almost uncontrollable. That right there told me all I needed to know. I emailed Twig back and told her at the very least I wanted to meet this precious little baby girl. I could tell she'd been through hell and she was the one Clover chose. I just knew it. But just in case I had any doubt the next morning when my alarm went off it was the same alarm sound I used to have to remind me to give Clover her medication. Four times a day this alarm went off (the sound was called Radar) and I knew the sound well. Why is this a big deal? Because after Clover died I changed that alarm sound immediately on any and all devices so I didn't have to hear the sound that not only reminded me of a horrible time, but also that Clover wasn't here anymore. My alarm in the morning to get up was now the sound of chirping birds. It was a beautiful melodic sound of nature which brought comfort to me instead of angst. I never changed it from the chirping birds to the radar. On the morning of 10/29/20 the sound of chirping birds woke me up. The alarm was programmed for the same time every day 7 days a week. On 10/30/20 the alarm that woke me up was the "radar" sound. It took me a moment to process what was happening. I didn't touch a thing. No re-programming, no changes. Okay Clover. I get it, I'm listening.

For almost a month everyone worked tirelessly at ASR and CAAA to get "Sully" to the states. This included Twig, Edi, Olga Marte (the woman who rescued Sully from the streets and a horrendous life she was living in Puerto Rico), and Elba Escobar who works closely with Olga and ASR. On 11/18/20 Therese Iacono served as "Sully's" personal escort on the flight from PR to Boston MA. Once in Boston, "Sully" was entrusted to Nancy Tarbox from CAAA who picked "Sully" up at Logan at midnight, brought her to the shelter in Gloucester MA and once there she was cared for by the amazing team of CAAA led by Sunniva Buck.

When I got the email she was coming, I got so nervous. What if she didn't click with Bella. That was the one caveat. If Bella hated her, we'd have to go home without her. I trust Bella though. I know my girl of 11 years. I knew it might not be completely smooth but Bella is my love. She accepted Clover in when she, Bella, was 2 and loved her wholeheartedly. I knew that she would share her life again.....but I was still scared. What if I didn't like her. What if she didn't like me. What would I say to everyone if I didn't think she'd be a match. I knew I wouldn't compare her with Clover because she isn't Clover, but what if I bring her home and I'm disappointed? Was I really doing this AGAIN? Was I really going to open my heart and soul to another dog knowing the inevitable end result? What about the money? What if she's sick? Worst of all, what if she has a heart murmur? Am I being fair to Bella? Bella had to share her life for 8 years, what if she just wants it to be me and her? What if it's not right and I just need to spend time with Bella. Would I be ruining her life if I brought another dog into her world? I talked to everyone I knew. I processed this stuff over and over again yet all the while, I was showing and telling several people about "Sully". I was beaming when I would show her photo. It was a lot to process. One of the very few things that kept me grounded was remembering when I brought Bella home for the first time. All the agonizing questions (except I didn't have another dog to consider when I got Bella), the fears, the worry. In fact the day I brought Bella home I sat on my living room floor with her I started bawling my eyes out and looked at my friend and asked "What have I done?". To which my friend replied "You brought home a dog and you can't bring her back, so there's not much you can do about it." She wasn't being unsympathetic, she was just stating the truth and letting me know I had a dog now and needed to work this out. She was right and I knew I was just scared. I spent 15 years with my Sammy and the last 3 years were filled with nothing but worry and sickness. Dementia, pancreatitis, the unknown when.....and now I was doing it again? Yup. It appeared so.

The next day, I got up, took my new 10 month old puppy for a walk in the snow and as soon as the first person gleefully asked "Did you get a new puppy?" I knew it was going to be okay. But it hasn't been okay. It's been wonderful. It was the best thing I could have done back then and my love and my relationship with Bella has only grown every day. She's my world, my rock. She's been a pure joy and has filled my world with nothing but love. She has been my grounding force though getting Clover, her illness, losing Clover and getting Harmony (Sully). In remembering all this and that it even took me some time to fully 100% bond with Bella I knew what I was experiencing was okay. It was natural. Clover was an exception. I knew the instant I saw Clover she was mine. I never had a moment's hesitation with her. Not a question, not a worry. I think that's rare. I think what I experienced with Bella and Harmony is pretty common. Most people told me that Bella would be fine and that she would probably love having another sibling. I'm not so sure that she does, but she has welcomed her home and is being the best ever role model.

Once "Sully" got to CAAA she needed to stay in isolation for 48 hours at the least. Then she would be checked by the vet, and then a meeting would be set up. I was expecting to go up on Monday so when I got the call to go Saturday I had a moment of "But I didn't get to cherish my last night with Bella and just me". Too late now though right? I told Bella it was time, we were going to meet Sully. I packed her up, seat belted her in the car and away we went.

Once at the shelter, we waited eagerly and nervously for "Sully" to come out. I looked up and saw this little bundle of energy running over to the fenced in greeting area. She was really cute. Once in the fenced in area, she and Bella said hello and then "Sully" was off like a bullet doing zoomies. Suddenly, she came running over to me, laid down, put her chin on my leg and just looked at me. It was then the majority of my fears melted away. Though they didn't interact much it did seem they would be okay together, the girls, so when Nancy said "So I'm assuming you're all set", I said "Yup" and in the car "Sully", now Harmony, went and on 11/21/20 Harmony came home with me and Bella.

The past month has been 97% joyous. The girls have only had three fairly good sized squabbles, but no one was hurt. I have learned that Harmony can NEVER ever be off leash in an unsecured area as she is a runner and has an amazing prey drive. We have been working on her commands, but outside she is her own dog. I have to say that's been a big adjustment for me as both Clover and Bella can be let outside off leash at any time and they stop the second I tell them to get back in the yard. Not so with Harmony. And it's not because she's a street dog, she's got terrier in her and I KNOW that. I just ordered her DNA kit and we'll be doing that soon. Inside she is by far the gentlest most chill dog I have ever known. She knows that Bella is the queen bee and she just deals with that. She does steal food off the coffee table so no more of that for this mama. That's okay, it makes me do my dishes sooner. LOL. She is cuddly, very lovey, but doesn't like to give kisses (perfectly okay). She is very entertaining, she makes me laugh every day and she's SO dam cute I can't stand it. I have no doubt she is aptly named because she has brought so much Harmony to my life again. One of the coolest things she does that no other dog I've ever had in my whole life did, is when I come home from work, she missed me so much that she has my shoes on the couch or in her bed so she can be close to me while I'm out. Everyone that has met her has fallen in love with her, but everyone knows before you can greet Harmony, you must give Bella lots of love and attention. It's okay though, Harmony gets it.

So, did I really just get another dog? Am I REALLY doing this again? I mean, nothing will change the outcome in the end so what did I do???? I got another baby, that's what I did. And I couldn't be more thrilled. I am a dog person in my soul. It's not just that I have pets. I don't have pets. I don't have dogs. I have little fur kids and I am incomplete without. And I just think, what if after Sammy died I never got Bella. Hell, if there had never been a Sammy, there may never have been a Bella. And if there wasn't a Bella, what about Clover? And what if Harmony went to someone else's home? I would be lost. I can't imagine any of my dogs EVER being anywhere but with me. If you've lost a dog recently or a while ago, I have to tell you, I can't imagine life without Harmony now. She is a big part of my heart and since bringing her home I don't cry anywhere like I had been. She didn't replace Clover no more than Bella replaced Sammy. She's just added life to my life. I couldn't be more blessed. I look forward to the time I have with her no matter what that is. Oh and for the what if she's sick? What if she has a heart murmur? So what if she does? That won't change a thing about what she has already given me. And if she does, then I will give her the best care I can, all the medication and love and good food and whatever I can, just like I did with Clover. And if she's sick and she has whatever she has then I will worry about that when the time comes and soak up every single solitary second I have with her, like I am with Bella, like I did with Sam, and like I did with my precious baby girl Clover. All I know now, is she is MY baby now and she is HERE with me and I will give her everything she's ever wanted and more and I will always tell anyone who has lost a dog, go bring another one home....you will be amazed at what healing happens when you do. I love you Clover for bringing me Harmony. I love you Clover for you being you. And I love you my Bella Bear for sharing your life again and being so good and so tolerant and still loving me just as much as you always did, if not more.