Joy brings Joy

 

From the very beginning, little Joy was one of our favorite puppies. The last one born, she just had a look that none of us could not be enthralled by. Even Mr. Tough Guy, JB, admitted she was his favorite in the litter. She just drew you to her. People noticed it online (we had no less than three previous buyers consider buying Joy and adding to their herd), but what she did was more than just pictures. She did it to us in person too. 

Joy was always seeking people. When other pups were eating, she would leave Mama or the food bowl and go and find the people that were close by to snuggle up to. Puppies never leave nursing if they can help it. But Joy did. She chose people over food every single time. 

But ... for some reason, Joy kept "falling through the cracks." Of course, I know the reason now. The reason is: this was supposed to be Ms. Debbie's dog. God knew that! And he wasn't going to let anything stop Joy's destiny. Joy was the second pick for nearly ALL of our buyers. I had probably two dozen people text me expressing interest in Joy, but for one reason or another, decided it wasn't good timing. She just kept not being purchased. 

We had NO doubt Joy's perfect family was out there. Who was it? As I always do, I prayed and "fretted" a bit about who would own Joy. But in the end ...

... That's when suddenly, and I still don't know how, Ms. Debbie stumbled upon my post on Facebook. She was the friend of a friend of mine (and I've since discovered we have quite a few other friends in common), and she really wanted a puppy. She has a little Chihuahua, but, no offense to little tiny dog owners, an Aussie is just a whole different level of puppy.  However, when Debbie asked me the price of the dog, she immediately knew it was out of her reach. 

I really feel that our puppies are a ministry for us. We (sometimes) make some money raising them, but truly, they are an act of love. Love for dogs. Love for the joy they bring our family. But mostly LOVE in seeing these puppies go bring joy to other people. There is just something about a dog that is a beautiful thing in a person's life. I grieve the day that we place our last puppy, as we don't foresee that after Raven finishes her tenure as a Mama, we will be doing this again. 

I truly felt God tell me that Debbie was one that was supposed to own Joy. Money is never a big deal to us when it comes to making sure the doggies have the right nomes. So I told Debbie I would trust her to make payment plans ...

... and the rest was history.

She was sobbing when we placed Joy in her arms today. (So were many of us.) She just said, "I have just always wanted a puppy like this. You cannot imagine how happy you have made me." When they got in Debbie's truck, little Joy climbed onto her lap and up behind her neck. Sooooo sweet!

Since sharing Debbie's story with a few people, I've been asked if they can help with the funds for Ms. Joy. To-date, we've received nearly half of the cost of the dog. (The puppy was $750, Ms. Debbie paid $50 so far, and as of today, I've received $400 in donations!) This means that right now, Ms. Debbie only owes another $300.

I don't know much about Ms. Debbie. But I know from people who know her, that she is a fantastic human, and that she will give Joy a great home. She lives alone, and she said, "Joy is going to bring Joy into my home!"

(If you are interested in making a donation to Ms. Debbie for the cost of the dog -- or for additional vet/food bills -- you can paypal me at flakymn@hotmail.com. She has not asked for ANY help, but I've just fallen so hard for her and Joy.)

Sweetness

 

I am not sure ANYTHING in the world is sweeter than puppies. 

In the meantime, one thing I know is not sweeter than puppies is the FLU. We are pretty sure that all four kids got FLU A (or if not, something equally repulsive) while I was in California. John, who had already gotten his flu shot as a requirement for his job, only seemed to get marginally ill. I am not sure about me, but I have not felt great. Mostly just very rundown. The entire Kotynski clan went down like flies.

Back to sweet things ...

There are many wonderful things about the life we've carved out for ourselves here in Tennessee, but I am not sure how different that life would be if I had not "stumbled" upon CBT (Central Ballet Theater) when Abigail was just THREE (almost FOUR) years old.

In fact, I went back and found my VERY first email to Ms. LoriAnn in March of 2018. 

Tomorrow is our "annual" Pancake Breakfast. This is a fundraiser for the huge ballet production we do every January. While the kids have been sick, I've realized what a blessing CBT is to us. You forget when you are running hither and tither. You think: "I wish I didn't have to run so much." But then the girls miss a week for sickness and you can't help but think: "I'm so glad we have ballet. They'd not be the girls they are without it."

I am also now on the Board for our homeschool cooperative: Heritage Home Scholars.  They are equally sweet to me. Between our church and these two "places", John and I have "nailed down" our focus at least for the next decade. I have little doubt these two places will be a huge part of our life for the foreseeable future. 

And then? 

It will be time for new post-children sweetness. But for now, I'm so blessed to be in the community we are!

Puppy 2 is home

I am a little late on this post -- but here are some pictures of little "Clara" (aka "April") with her new family in Texas. This family was stationed with us in Turkey. It's so amazing how life reconnects you and technology actually can be a GOOD thing. Clara is joining her big brother Finn, whose getting a little up in years. Brings me SUCHhhhhh joy!

 

Ms. May Meets Her Forever Gentleman

THIS: 

Raising puppies is a lot of work. We only planned to ever do ONE litter of puppies. We just wanted to pay for our Arabelle and Ritter. (The farm is always trying to break even.) But when I asked "old-time farmers" the things they remembered most from their childhood, "the puppies" always fell out of their mouths within their first few thoughts.

And then there are the people we get to make happy. We consider it an honor and a gift to bring joy to other families. This gentleman recently had to place a wife he loves into a home so she could get more help. And this little girl, named May by us (and he'll keep the name!) will get to provide comfort and joy to his years without her. He lost a previous Aussie a year ago so this will be his new BFF. All the way in Florida!

What a privilege. What a gift. I know technology has its downsides but MAN how wonderful to get to connect with people many states away. His daughter went to high school with John and I. SO many moons ago! To think that through that connection, this connection gets to be made. To get to bring joy and see the joy on the faces of people through the Internet and photography. To have a Facebook page where we can all stay in touch. 

Those are the good things about living in 2022!

There are good things about life. 

Life can be hard. My migraines have been plaguing me relentlessly. Teenagers talk back. Russia is attacking Ukraine. 

But there are also puppies.

There will always be puppies. :)

Ms. May goes to Florida

I was a bit worried about my parents driving this doggie all the way back to Florida. They like dogs but aren't really "dog people." But they had a friend with them, Ms. Debbie, who really does "do" dogs so I was hopeful it would go well. Apparently it went fantastically. Here are some pictures of her on the road to her new home. I can't wait to share pictures of her meeting her forever family.

 

Saying good bye to Ms. May

Tonight we said good bye to our little "May." Our new breeding Mama, Raven, only had a litter of two, which I really think meant saying good bye, all the harder.

My parents are driving by the farm at 4am. I'm gonna meet them at the gas station about 10 minutes from our house to save them a half hour on their 12+ hour drive. 

Because I'm not going to get the kids up in the morning, tonight we say good bye to Ms. May. 

She is going to an older gentleman. His daughter is my friend on Facebook because we went to the same Christian school once upon a time in South Florida, many moons ago. 

He recently had to put his wife in assisted living after caring for her for a decade, and he needs something to fill his days.

This pup will do the job!

Oh man, this pup was our hardest good bye yet.

 

More puppy cuteness :)

The Gray family stopped by to see the puppies (and pick up Lexa, who has become a good friend to Abigail.) They have five kids, and we really just love this family! Check out how adorable some of these pictures are of Maryah (oldest), Nichole (the mom), and little Mabrey. And the videos at the end .... oh my goodness :)