It all happened in August 2022.

I got a text from our friend/Titus’ sitter/hiker/second mother, saying a client of hers knows a guy who has a dog he desperately needs to re-home. We have been saying we are not ready, but I have been doing ‘research’ into many shelters and rescues. It has been heartbreaking to see how many animals need homes! But still, not ready. I looked at the picture of this dog and felt nothing. Not a breed I ever considered. But something was telling me to go take a look. I can’t explain it, but I guess I don’t have to. I met the guy at a park in Dalton. The dog was running all over. Cute, but still no connection. We talked at length. 24 year old guy, bought the dog from a breeder in Canada for $4000 during COVID, and now he needed to find a home for his beloved dog. My heart really went out to him. I commended him for doing the right thing for his dog. He didn’t want to drop him at a shelter; he wanted to find the right home. He said he could feel ours would be just that. But I told him we just aren’t ready and we feel the dog needs a yard, kids, etc…. We’re too old for a young dog.

Done, right? Wrong! Next day I’m thinking about the dog and I feel compelled, again, to do something. So I reached out to my dog network, and Renee (Loveusandleaveus) said, “We need to save this dog.” I could have kissed her! She got him the next day and was planning to find him a good home. She had him at her house with her 4 year old daughter and her 2 dogs. He was playing in the yard (no fence) off leash. She texted me 2 days later saying, “Barbara, are you sure about this dog? He is the most amazing dog I’ve ever met. Fully trained, sweet, and very chill for a 2 year old.” Keep in mind, Renee practically raised Titus before she had her big place, so she knew him and knows us really well. Bill, who was really NOT READY, said we should go see him. Off we went.

As soon as we got there and saw him in her yard, I was amazed! This was NOT the dog I met earlier! Completely different! Oh yes, there was a connection. So, we took him. Went right to Balance Rock for an off-leash hike and he stayed right with us. Later we took him to the lake and had so much fun with him. His owner said he was afraid of the water. After about ½ hour with us, he was in the water, swimming (with Titus’ giant vest). He loved it! What a fun day! BUT, but, that night we talked and, as much as we really adored this dog, we still felt he needed a house, kids, etc. Before going back to Renee (who had someone else interested, who owns a farm), we brought him over to a dear friend’s house. She and her 2 daughters (youth) were very interested! Throughout all of this, I kept talking to Titus and hearing him say, “Save him Mommy.” But I wasn’t sure what he meant. Take him home or find him a good home? My friend and her daughters loved him, decided to keep him overnight for yet another trial. We drove away, feeling like we had done the right thing. It wasn’t time for us; he’ll be better off there. That night, as we got into bed, we both realized how much we missed him after only one day and night! But, it was out of our hands.

Next morning, I woke up in tears, feeling like we had made the biggest mistake of our lives! Bill felt the same. But we kept saying, whatever is best for the dog. My friend texted me (I was anxiously waiting) to tell me, although they loved him, she wasn’t ready (she just lost 2 dogs a few months ago). She said, “Are you sure you don’t want him? I could tell the bond you had with him last night? I knew when I saw you, he was YOUR dog.” I told Bill and about ½ hour later, my friend brought him back here and he ran to me in the parking lot. Like a scene out of a movie. We were so happy!

I think it needed to happen this way for me/us to be able to open my heart. I knew, that morning, that he was meant to be our dog! No doubt whatsoever. And I could hear Titus, feel Titus, telling me that’s what he wanted. Meanwhile, our friends and family were telling us this was the perfect dog for us. Already trained, the right weight, all the boxes checked off. We finally agreed and fell fully in love with our new dog, a poodle named Atreyu (AKA Trey)! I haven’t felt this happy in a long time. In the last few days, our life has changed completely. We are having so much fun with him, and he’s learning things (like swimming and retrieving) so quickly. Smartest dog I ever met.

I feel Titus right here with us, guiding us. A grief counselor I was working with kept telling me to talk to Titus, and I did. He was right. As much as we tried to resist him, he kept coming back to us. AND NOW HE IS OURS! It’s an emotional journey, with many tears, but mostly tears of happiness. I talk to Titus even more now. I never thought I could love another dog, but I was so wrong. A new adventure begins.

Our beloved Titus - forever in our hearts — Titus, our beautiful lab. Forever in our hearts.