,We had thought we had a few years left with our Laney. An agreement was made that we would not consider another dog until Laney had enjoyed her senior years and was now playing freely in what must be the best place ever, doggie heaven.

After all that happened with Laney and saying goodbye at the end of June 2022, the only thing I could think of was "how do I live without a dog?"

Craig truly could have been okay without another dog and I will always appreciate him for understanding how important it was to me.

It all started innocently with videos on Facebook. My friend who trains dogs professionally shares her board and training sessions on Facebook. I love watching them as I learn so much from her as a trainer and I get to see so many different types of dogs learning.

Well, one doggie she was training, was a puppy cockapoo and her name was Rosie. I can really say I fell in love. She was so sweet and loved to learn all that Kathy was teaching her. I couldn't get enough of the videos or this little dog Rosie.

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I had a cockapoo once. Her name was Muffin and she was a great dog. She lived to be over 15 years and we all loved her so much. I was ready for a smaller dog and one that didn't shed as much as our beautiful yellow labs. So this all made sense to me.

I reached out to Kathy and asked more about Rosie. She said she was easy to train but sometimes was a little sassy. We both agreed that sassy is a good quality. She was cuddly and very sweet according to her trainer. The next question was where did she come from. The answer was Cottage Country Cockapoos in Muskoka.

I looked them up and there were puppies that would be ready to go August 12th. Now it was becoming real and my husband was not ready for a new doggie.

We had planned a road trip to visit Craig's brother and daughter in New Liskard in July. It just so happened that we would pass right by Huntsville on our way back. I suggested that we see if we could at least meet the breeder and check out their facility for the future. He agreed and his sister Jean, who was with us, and is a mega dog lover was all in too.

We arrived at their beautiful home and were greeted by some doggies who ran out to say hello. The owner Lori was not there but had wanted to accomodate our visit on our way home. She had enlisted her husband, mother and daughter to answer questions, show us around the property, and let us meet the puppies. We really appreciated their willingness to accomodate us.

What a wonderful family. The love for their puppies was evident right away.

My husband and sister-in-law were very impressed with everything that wasn't puppies and I totally fell in love with a little puppy named Juniper. Juney for short.

One question, that would make it or break it for me, was if they took back their puppies, if it didn't work out for a family. They answered absolutely, and added that it had never happened yet. They are very careful about who gets to love their puppies for life. I really liked that answer.

My husband said, "when I saw the laundry basket full of puppies and saw my wife so happy holding her little darling, I couldn't say no."

That is why I love him so much.

We got back in the car and I cried and cried. All I could think of was Charity and Laney. How much I missed them and was this the right thing to do. Craig and Jean comforted me and encouraged me to touch base with Cottage Country Cockapoos and see if we had met their standards. Would we even be able to adopt one of their sweet babies.

I reached out and they felt we were definitely a right fit for their puppy and that if I said yes, Juney would be my baby.

We said yes.

Cottage Country Cockapoos sent pictures and kept us informed of how Juney was doing until it was time to pick her up.

We have had her with us now for only two weeks.

She is everything we had hoped she would be.

Of course, she is a puppy and there is the nibbling that all puppies do. She loves to meet new people. She loves to play. She explores with confidence but always checks in with us to see if we are still close by. She sleeps through the night already. I have been training her and she loves to learn and responds so beautifully to positive. Cuddly galore and adorable.

Thank you Cottage Country Cockapoos for giving us the opportunity to love another doggie.

Our yellow labs will never be replaced as they were as special as you can get. We will always cherish our memories of those beauties while loving Juney for the rest of her life.

https://cottagecountrycockapoos.ca

Juney has big paws to fill as part of Charity's Sweet Legacy. Laney didn't get the chance but was on her way to being amazing. I think Juney is going to be fantastic and Charity and Laney will be very proud.

I look so forward to Juney becoming my new canine partner in supporting children and youth to be the best they can be.

So much to look forward to...and it all began with a little dog named Rosie.