Four days later at 6 AM we embarked on our car trip to San Diego to pick up the newest member of our family. Along with us was Sadie our grey and her "big" sister, Lucy, the 10 pound cockapoo. For eight hours we sang along with the radio and thought of names that might fit our new dog. No name ever seemed to be quite right. What we did know was that we were already in love with her, sight unseen--that's what was important. Then she could pick her own name--it would all fall into place.

When we first saw our new dog (Mrs. Trotter was her track name) she was a beautiful dark brindle but so thin that you could see almost every bone in her body. Despite her gaunt look, her incredible personality was also just as evident. We let her get introduced to our dogs and after about an hour we loaded her into our car for the trek home--in Friday night commute traffic!

After 10 hours of monotonous driving on HWY 5 we arrived safely home with our scared little dog. I can't blame her for being scared. I'm sure that she thought this would be yet another temporary place she could call home. But as the weeks went by and then the months and now the years, she (now Missie--she chose her name) knows that she is truly home. Forever. No more travelling for this girl.

Missie has gained weight (not too much to compromise her heart), she has blossomed and still to this day she acts like a puppy even though she's almost four. We have never met a more happy-go-lucky, sweet and endearing pup than Missie. She is so sociable that she has to meet and greet every person and every dog that she encounters. She is a joy to our lives every single day. And every single day she gives us love that is unequalled! Missie is a true lover of life and a great example to follow.