Abi-girl

So we have a new addition to our family. This is Abby, and she is SUCH a good girl. Kadee Joy started calling her "Abigirl" instead of Abigail, which I think is pretty cute, so we all end up calling her that throughout the day.

Miss Abby came to us after much praying and searching. We've been considering getting a dog for quite a while, mostly for Andrew. He (as well as most children with autism) connects with animals far more easily than with humans, and we have seen him just light up when around dogs. I've been scanning humane society websites, ads in the newspaper, craigslist, putting out emails to my church and school district looking for the perfect dog for our family. A few times, I thought I'd come close, but God had much better plans for us.

Last Wednesday I was doing my usual look at the craigslist adds for dogs that were being re homed and I found an intriguing title. "Abby-babby-bo-babby, banana fanna, fo-fabby!"

I figured anyone who used a song to introduce their dog was a good sign. So I looked and found a BEAUTIFUL four year old yellow lab looking at me (via picture of course). She was house trained, said to be very gentle, and a great family dog (including allowing their toddler to sit on her head). Her family was being stationed overseas, so they needed to find a good home for her.

So I e-mailed them, and then couldn't wait for the reply so called the number. It turned out the Miss Abby came from a very unique family...which included a four year old with autism! (He's the one who would sit on her head) They were willing to waive the re-homing fee if the perfect family came along, and we agreed that we would indeed be the perfect family. We brought the info to our budget counselor at Love INC who felt that God had indeed lined this dog up for us. So the next day, Chris and the kids went to Mountain Home and picked her up. I'm pretty sure that for Chris it was love at first. I called within a few minutes after I knew he would have picked her up, and he was smitten. Andrew had been melting down as they picked Abby up, but as soon as she came into the van he calmed down and giggled at his new doggy.

Since coming home she has been WONDERFUL. Andrew has been all over her, and she is very patient with him, having not even so much as growled. Jeffy likes her too, especially when she barks at the garbage man (this sends him into hysterical giggles). Kadee Joy loves her Abi-girl too, and is very good at picking on our clues of how to get her to go outside, lay down, sit, etc.

Miss Abby has so far been a wonderful addition to our family, and we are so grateful to God for his timing in bringing her to us.