I am searching for a title, which is always the most challenging part of writing a new story. 

I already have the story in my tiny brain, and it’s about how my search found love in two empty hearts, but I could not think of a suitable title. 

The search began after downloading photos of my recently adopted, rescued dog.

Although his original name is unknown, the Animal Resource Center in Surrey had named him Snowflake.

Two days later, I adopted Snowflake almost two months ago, on Valentine’s Day.

However, that is not where this story begins.

It was several months before, when Holly Golightly, my 17-year-old dog, passed away.

Holly Golightly was 17 years old when she passed away after fighting a long battle with Cushing’s Disease – a form of cancer.

In the end, she was deaf and almost blind.

Two years after buying Holly Golightly from a breeder in Ontario.

I have always had a dog since 1977; all were from registered breeders.

Here they are in chronological order:

#1 – Jesse James, a German Shepherd (1977 – 1986)

#2 – Skippy, a Pomeranian (1987 – 1994)

#3 – Missy, a Pomeranian (1988 – 2002)

#4 – Beau, a Pomeranian (1995 – 2005)

#5 – Holly Golightly, a Coton de Tulear (2007 – 2023)

#6 – Buddy, a Shih Tzu/Poodle mix (2013 – Present)

Then things changed, and I decided to adopt a rescued dog during a three-day spiritual retreat in December 2023. My heart felt I needed the love of a dog, but this time I would adopt a rescued dog.

I began searching on Google for animal shelters within a hundred-mile radius of Vancouver, British Columbia.

I also enrolled in the Elder Dog Program.

Despite countless online searches with the BCSPCA shelters, the one particular dog named Danny, whom I hoped to adopt, did not turn out as I had hoped.

In my story, Here’s My New Love After Just One Look!, I wrote about Danny, the rescued dog.

It was a learning experience, and I learned that most adopters wanted a young dog like Danny.

However, I was not searching for a young dog and preferred to adopt an older one with a sad history. I wanted a small to medium-sized dog that is considered an adult ‘runt’ and needs a loving home.

So, I decided to restrict my search to older rescued dogs.

In other words, I wanted a dog that nobody else wanted.

Ironically, I found an animal shelter that was not affiliated with the SPCA organization, which a clerk at a nearby SPCA branch in Surrey referred me to.

The shelter was located on a remote stretch of road in South Surrey and is known as the Animal Resource Centre (‘ centre’ is how we spell ‘center’ in Canada).

One of the center staff showed me a wall of photos of the dogs in the shelter, and my eyes immediately went to a white dog named Snowflake.

I completed a registration form and was told the administration would contact me in the next day or two.

I wrote about Snowflake in my story, Here’s My New Love After Just One Look!

Adopting Buddy (Snowflake) was a dream for him and me. I renamed him Buddy Holly because he looks and acts like my Holly Golightly.

Here are some photos of Buddy Holly:

My recent stay in the hospital reminded me of how our lives and dreams can end without much notice.

In closing, I don’t know if there will be a heaven after we pass, but I pray with all my heart that there will be a Rainbow Bridge.

Dedicated to Jesse James, Skippy, Missy, Beau, Holly Golightly, and Buddy Holly.

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart,

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

When I was a lad
And old Shep was a pup
Over hills and meadows we’d stray
Just a boy and his dog
We were both full of fun
We grew up together that way

I remember the time
At the old swimmin’ hole
When I would have drowned beyond doubt
But old Shep was right there
To the rescue, he came
He jumped in and helped pull me out

As the years fast did roll
Old Shep, he grew old
His eyes were fast growing dim
And one day the doctor
Looked at me and said
“I can do no more for him, Jim.”

With hands that were trembling
I picked up my gun
And aimed it at Shep’s faithful head
I just couldn’t do it
I wanted to run
I wish they would shoot me instead

He came to my side
And he looked up at me
And laid his old head on my knee
I had struck the best friend
That a man ever had
I cried so I scarcely could see

Old Shep he has gone.
Where the good doggies go
And no more with old Shep will I roam
But if dogs have a heaven
There’s one thing I know
Old Shep has a wonderful home

Songwriters: Arthur Willis & Red Foley

Here are other songs I’m listening to: These Songs Will Make You Smile Today