Finding Brandy

In the midst of the pandemic lockdown, Beau, my loyal shadow, found himself jobless and without his daily co-woofers. The routine of visiting the office and greeting everyone was stripped away, leaving him a bit forlorn. It was clear: Beau needed a sibling to fill the void. Thus began my quest to find the perfect companion—a journey filled with anticipation, humor, and a heartwarming surprise.

The Search Begins

I had my heart set on a Weimaraner-Lab mix. These dogs are not only strikingly beautiful but also known for their sweet nature. My inspiration came from Murdock, an office co-worker who earned the nickname “Kramer” for his habit of barreling into rooms as if the building was on fire, only to stand there bewildered. Murdock, despite his grand entrance, had a tender side, often sitting all 120+ pounds of himself on his older, smaller brother, Gatsby, lovingly nicknamed “Potato.”

Determined to find the right match for Beau, I scoured online adoption apps daily. I checked and rechecked the pound, humane societies, ASPCA, Austin Pets Alive, and every rescue I could find. We donned masks and made appointments to visit any shelter that would allow us in, leaving no stone unturned in our search.

The Discovery

Then it happened—I found her. Her sweet, sad face stared back at me from the pages of a GREAT DANE RESCUE website. Though not a Weimaraner-Lab mix, there was something about her that tugged at my heartstrings. Without hesitation, we loaded two of our kids into the car and drove an hour and a half to a San Antonio Petsmart to meet her. As we drove, nervous anticipation crept in. Would she like us? Would the kids bond with her? And most importantly, would Beau get along with her?

The Meeting

Upon arrival, we were greeted by several puppies in portable kennels along the sidewalk. I scanned the row, my eyes landing on the most beautiful puppy, sound asleep. “Wow,” I thought, “I wish that was her.” But I quickly spotted another puppy that seemed sweet, though not exactly what I had pictured. Determined to love whichever puppy we met, I approached the rescue representative.

And then, there she was—the sleeping beauty, the puppy I had secretly hoped for. She was everything I had fallen in love with from her online photo. I turned to fill out the paperwork, only to see our son, mask and all, holding Brandy tightly in his arms as though he would never let go. And indeed, he never did.

Settling In

Brandy, despite being listed on a Great Dane rescue site, turned out to be a mix of sorts, certainly not a Great Dane. However, she shared some Dane-like habits, such as her penchant for sitting on top of Beau, much like Murdock with Gatsby. She fit right into our family with her playful spirit and loving nature.

The Perfect Match

Finding Brandy was more than just adding another pet to our home; it was about finding the perfect companion for Beau and bringing joy and laughter into our lives during a challenging time. Her journey from a sad-faced puppy in a rescue ad to a beloved family member is a testament to the magic of adoption. Despite the unexpected twists and turns, it was clear that Brandy was meant to be with us.

So, did I mention that Brandy isn’t a Great Dane? No matter—she’s our Brandy, a bundle of love and mischief, and the best thing that ever happened to Beau. Our home is filled with laughter and love, proving that sometimes, the best things come in unexpected packages. #adoptdontshop

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