And then there was one.

On January 23rd I picked up a very special girl per request of a very special boy.

As some of you might remember, Lux was Nick's, my husband, special birthday request. When asked what he wanted for his 28th birthday, which was on January 25th, he didn't skip a beat when he replied, "I want you to rescue another dog for my birthday." 

We all know you don't have to tell me twice! 

Pinal County Animal shelter destroys dogs on Mondays and Thursdays so I always tag on Sunday nights as to save the next dogs on the list from the Monday morning hell. There were many to choose from, but this sweet girl stole my heart. 

The shelter called her Minnie and she was to be PTS (Put to sleep) on Monday because she was too shy. When I called Monday morning to make sure that they had not put her down (this does sometimes happen) Kathy, the shelter worker informed me that she was indeed still there but she proceeded to ask if I was sure I wanted to adopt her because no one could get her out of her kennel and she had to be carried outside to go to the bathroom because she was so scared. I assured her that I was sure and that I would be there by 1pm to pick her up. 

So, Gracie, my then 7 and a half month old daughter, and I jumped in the car and away we went on the hour and a half drive. I had the kennel in the back, some dog treats, and no idea how much I would fall in love with this girl :) After they drug her out of the shelter they asked me once again if I was sure I wanted THIS dog. I didn't even answer as I picked her up and put her into the back of the car. 

Before we started the drive home I posted the above picture of the pup I just picked up on facebook and asked my friends to help me name her. I had a lot of cute suggestions but my friend Tara had the winner, Lux. This is her exact post from January 23rd, Tara Halligan writes,  "Lux, combines luck and light in Latin. Id say that describes the adoption well." Thanks Tara! you were right!  

When we got home it took her nearly 20 minutes to build up the courage to get out of the kennel but we didn't mind, it was worth the wait :) 

She settled in and started to get used to a human actually being patent with her. Allowing her to do things on her own time as she felt comfortable with it. Her first walk took nearly 45 minutes when it would have taken maybe 5 with my other dogs. She was afraid of moving cars, parked cars, trash bins, barking dogs, and even me on the other side of the leash. But day by day, walk by walk, she started to gain confidence. We took 5 short walks a day and at the end of the first week she actually started to enjoy this thing the humans call "a walk." And by the start of the second week I discovered that she had a tail, and that it worked! 

This rescue was extra special for me because not only was this deserving dog, along with my other two fosters, out of the disgusting shelter, but some of my dear friends helped out in very special ways. Allyson Abide and her amazing family Bill and Emma donated THREE bags of dog food, a leash, a collar, a food bowl, and toys and treats. I was in tears when I opened these packages. Even though she is thousands of miles away, she made a HUGE impact on Lux and the other two dogs and on me. You don't come across that kind of true kindness very often and Allyson, I truly appreciate you and what you have done for these pups. Pictured to the right is just SOME of the Abide's donation. There were a lot of wagging tails that day! 

 Another good friend of mine, Cece Harris, was very generous and donated a nice fluffy dog bed for Lux.  At first Lux was weary of this new "thing" occupying her sleep area. But once she took her first step, she never looked back! Thank you SO much Ce for the nice warm bed. It was a big upgrade from the shelters cold concrete floors!  

Lux's first time on a soft bed

I would like to think that Lux learned many things while she stayed at our house but most of all, she learned what true love is. She learned that not all humans are bad and that not all hands will hit. She learned that she loves to be loved :) 

This is Lux's first hug. I'm so glad that it was caught on camera by Nick. I sat on the floor for hours with her before she decided she was ready.  But when she was, she was welcomed with open arms :) (we shared MANY hug after that, at least one a day!) 

And now, after this long journey, I am SO happy to announce.......
 Lux has found her forever home!

Thank you to the Vermilion Family for giving this special girl the home she always deserved!!

This is a picture of Lux's new doggie sister, Lucy, and one of 2 human sisters, Bella! 

Click here for a video of Lux in action!

Thank you to everyone who helped in this adoption and with Lux. 

Tara, you will be happy to know that her new family loves the name just as much as we did and are keeping it! 

Allyson, you will be happy to know that Dino is still using the dog bowl, leash and collar, and is just about to finish up the last of his senior dog food :) and all of your donations will be used for my foster to come! 

Cece, you will be happy to know that your dog bed can now be occupied by my next rescue and that Lux LOVED that bed but now sleeps in bed with her new family :) 

-Britt