Welcome to the first Monday of 2025. Today is also notable for another reason, it was one year ago my dear friend, Cheryl and I drove to Missouri (along with Elsa, riding shotgun in the back seat) to pick up a gigantic and severely matted floof, then named Sam, to foster. He greeted us enthusiastically and I knew right away that it was more than likely I would fail at the foster aspect of this journey. We drove 1500 miles roundtrip through snowstorms on highways and tiny rural roads over a 24 hour period. I couldn’t have made that trip without Cheryl’s presence, good nature and common sense to guide us (and keep us squarely on the road and not in a ditch after it became dark). I’ll always remember our conversations which reassured me along that uncertain road where we recalled the past 20+ years of friendship, with observations on life, people and dogs (and egg sandwiches bought at a gas station convenience store). Her great company surrounded me in comfort and continues to this day. I’ll always be grateful for her joining me on this transformative journey, with all its twists and turns. Thank you my friend, for accompanying me then, as well as for your ongoing loving support and friendship. I love ya!
The transformation of this filthy, matted mess…
to this handsome boy after his first grooming…
While we’ve experienced few hiccups over the past year, I still have a dear friend who was always there for both of us.
You’ve come a long way Wilson, both literally and figuratively. From all the ups (learning how to navigate the ways of a noisy, chaotic urban environment while becoming an beloved pet therapy dog at Lutheran) as well as the downs (losing those unnecessary pounds and a couple of damaged teeth), you’ve been quite the addition to the Ranch, Wilson. Here’s to many more happy trails, buddy. Happy Gotcha Day, House Pony.
And because it’s also a Monday, we would be remiss if we didn’t share a smile to welcome the New Year. Have a great week!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
🎉Double Pawkisses for a Happy Gotcha Day, you awwdorable doggie. You found yourself a wonderful furrever home😻😻Loved to read about your mommy’s long time furriendship too🐾😽💞
Awww, thanks, Stippie and Peachy. Wilson, Elsa and I are so lucky to have Cheryl as our good friend.
Us pups never had a resolution to stop barking, BOL!!
Happy, HAPPY Gotcha Day, Wilson!
Wow, you are such a different pup/pony than when you got here!!
Thank you. Yes, this boy has come a long way in a year. Dogs think resolutions are for suckers. LOL
A good trip begins with a friend and ends with a dog.
Indeed. 😊
Wilson – the House Pony – what a lucky guy he was when you gave him a new home and I know he wouldn’t trade that for ANYTHING (and vice versa!). We love him – and all of you – and wish you all a super duper new year full of fun……..and love.
Hugs, Teddy and Pam
Many thanks for the Gotcha Day wishes. We were lucky when we chose him. Though Elsa might debate that. LOL
Java Bean: “Ayyy, from what I hear, our Mama and Dada have had far more foster fails than foster successes! But that’s okay in our book, right, Lulu?”
Lulu: “Yep! And Wilson, you are a handsome boy!”
Thanks, Lulu. You’re too kind. The consensus around the Ranch is foster fails aren’t a bad thing.
Monika,
Wow what a trip that was! Particularly the dark country road with raging snow and very little light. You are my ride or die and I love ya to pieces. It was an honor to be asked to come along on this journey and to be there when you laid eyes on Wils. The bath the next day and he was such a good boy. Love you forever my sister from another mother!
A 24 hour period I’ll never forget…and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have spent it with. Thank you my friend for all you aren and all you’ve done for us. Love ya!
Sweet story. Happy Gotcha Day! XO
Thanks, Ellen. It was a trip I certainly won’t ever forget! Happy Monday.
Concatulations Wilson on yore Gotcha Day!! Wee barelee reememburr how matted an stuff you were! Iss guud you came to Miss Monika’ss! Shee iss THE bestest Poochie Meowmy!
Wee love THE comick fore Monday’ it iss heelareeuss!
Guess what wee gotted in THE Mail today??? Fore reel!! Yore Catmass card arrived! Many thanx fore it….
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an {{{hugss}}} BellaSita Mum
So glad it finally arrived. Better late than never, right? 🥰
Toetally true Miss Monika an Elsa an Wilson!!! Is kewl to get Catmass cardss inn January!!! 😉
It’s good to get personal mail any time. Just not bills. LOL
It was fun to learn the history of Wilson and his journey to the ranch. I hope the human and animal friendships last a long time
Our connection is one of those that’ll last a lifetime. We’ve been through soooo much together and I’m truly blessed to have someone like her in my corner.
That was quite the amazing story and I’m so glad that Wilson was lucky enough for you to let him pick you as his family! Happy Gotcha Day Wilson!
Thank you, Terry. We’ve shared such adventures over the past 20+ years. She’s almost like a sister and she adores both Elsa and Wilson and they adore her! Happy Monday.
Your ride with Cheryl to get handsome boy sounds like a great book, mama.
Here’s to a year of the ups getting you through the downs. And to love, the forever kind.
Thanks Marco. You just can’t make up our shared adventures! Lots of laughter and lessons learned.
Nope, it’s great.
Grand story.
Thank you. Given Missouri got pounded from a horrible blizzard this weekend, I can safely say we got off easy all things considered.
Happy Gotcha Day, Wilson! Elsa may call you the House Pony, but you’re the best house pony ever!! Your buddies, Lucy, Xena and Chia
Many thanks, pals. He is a pretty adorable House Pony at that. Happy Monday.
can’t imagine you not having him now. What a good friend, worth more than gold
LeeAnna
Me either. Cheryl and I go back over 20 years and have been through thick and thin. She’s an amazing human who loves dogs.
♫♪Happy Gotcha Day to you,♪♫
♫♪Happy Gotcha Day to you,♪♫
♫♪Happy Gotcha Day Dear Wilson,♪♫
♫♪Happy Gotcha Day to you!♪♫
I linked this post to Awww Mondays.
Have a fabulous day and week. Scritches to the pups and a big hug to mom. ♥
Awww, thanks for the Gotcha Day wishes. You’re too sweet. Happy Monday! We hope it’s a wagnificent week, too.
Happy Gotcha Day, buddy. You are right where you belong.
Many thanks, Cupcake! This Velcro boy has been quite the blessing this past year.
Yay Cheryl! Yay Wilson! Yay Monika! You are all awesome!
Aww, you’re too kind, Amy. Thank you! I was just the driver.
Wow, it’s been a year already since you all made this amazing journey! Happy happy Gotcha Day sweet Wilson! 😘🐕🎉 You were meant to find each other in this life and here’s to many more happy and healthy years together! 🐾❤🐾 xxx
It was a quick ydear, that’s for sure. Thank you for the kind wishes. Wilson has been a lot like a flower unfolding and that bloom has been beautifully special.
Wow time flies when one’s life is filled with two way unconditional love between uprights and 4 legged rescues! And I’m guessing poetic justice of Wilson being a former Sam is not lost on you! And the frozen and dark roads leading to and fro’ certainly put an exclamation mark on this “Tail”. 😉 Happy Fluffaversary. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2025 filled with fur, smiles, and belly rubs.
It was hard to call him Sam but he’s got a similar sweet personality. Fluffaversary…love that, Mike! And thank you for your ongoing support. It means so much to be part of this supportive community.
❤️
Yay for wonderful friends!! How would we get through life without them!
Soo glad you got Wilson!! He is very fortunate that he got you as well! ❤️❤️❤️ Happy Monday!
Thanks. It’s times like that weekend where I realize just how blessed I am.
🥰
💙
Wilson’s come a long way since then…well done you and Cheryl for bringing him home….once you’d set eyes on him fostering was out of the window.
Thanks, Helen. Yep, once he was loaded in the back of the car, he was definitely mine for good. The term ‘foster’ was a short lived endeavor. He’s come a long way and continues to blossom. Happy Monday.
Happy Gotcha Day, Wilson! 🤗
Many thanks, Eliza. And a Happy Monday to you!
Happy Gotcha Day, Wilson😘
Thank you, Auntie! Happy Monday.
Congratulations on your first year. What a wonderful transformation and you are sure one lucky guy! Cheers to many more years and to your wonderful Mom.
Many thanks. He’s definitely come a long way this past year (and not just in miles from relocating here). Here’s hoping you have a pawsome Monday!
Happy, happy Gotcha Day to Wilson, and kudos for you for recognizing and helping a diamond in the ruff!
Thank you! He’s a sweet boy and just needed a second chance to shine. Everything else is just his DNA. Happy Monday.
Well, you gave him that chance to shine, so good on you! So glad he got that second chance.
Thank you. This Velcro breed has so much to give, I just drive. LOL
Yes I’d be a foster fail too! Everyone needs a friend like that. Gus and Sasha’s new year’s resolution was not to steal Morgan’s food. That lasted about 3 hours.
She’s been with me through thick and thin; I’m so lucky and blessed.
I think most New Year’s resolutions are already history. No surprise the two furry sweethearts abandoned theirs. 😉 Happy Monday
Love the story of Wilson. Truly! Blessings on you, your friends who were with you and certainly on him. XXX
Thank you, Carole. I’m truly blessed particularly in this case. My heart was so broken after Norman crossed the Rainbow Bridge and it was harder than I thought it might be finding someone to step into his paws. I was so glad to be able to save this floof-he so deserved a second chance. Happy Monday.
Cheers to Cheryl and to the big fuzzy one that has brought you much joy. Cheers also to you for your care and commitment for making them therapy dogs. And how about them Broncos!!!!! You had so little faith. 😉 …. and I told you the Chiefs would play their B-team to avoid injuries. Congratulations! 🙂
Thanks for the kind comment, Frank-I’m indeed blessed for having such a good friend who has been instrumental transforming the big floof into a lovely pet.
Your football senses were spot on. While the score was impressive-KC made it easy by playing the B-team against the Broncos top lines. I think when they go to Buffalo, they’ll find a different scenario. Happy Monday!
Buffalo won’t play the B-team (they, too, did that in the last game) … but they can be beat!
They’re gonna be really tough. I’m not sure even their B-team is bad! And they’ll have the home field advantage in more ways. The weather will definitely vex the Broncos and no doubt will be flustered by the noise home crowd.
Reminder … Bengals beat them soundly several year ago with snow in Buffalo. It can be done.
Wilson (and you) are really something. And I agree- rescue is so much more doable with friends!
Thank you Cara. Rescue definitely takes a village and I’m blessed with a great one!