3 Years With Lucy Mae -

Three years ago today, Laurie, Mom and I got in our car, drove to the other side of town, walked in a door, shook hands with some people, stood by a Christmas tree and were surrounded by 6 (I think!) of the cutest mini-dachshund puppies you've ever seen in your whole life. Almost all were chosen...but it didn't matter. She crawled into my lap and looked straight up at me. Her almost identical twin sister tumbled around too, and all the puppies were held and cuddled and allowed to chew on our fingers, shoelaces, and seemingly everything else. I would put her down and she would be settling in somewhere else around me. Tucked in against my leg, nudging my hand, and even with another puppy in my arms, she found her way into my lap. 

And she stayed. I looked into those little eyes and knew love instantly. She was mine. Laughter swirled, details discussed, a check written....but she stayed in my arms. We walked out of there with a puppy, and I named her on the way home. "Lucy" because once I mentioned it to Laurie's girls, they were adamant it had to be Lucy. From Narnia, of course. But Lucy wasn't long enough...and so she became "Lucy Mae". Mae was Southern, the added double name like mine. It was perfect. She was perfect.

It was one of my favorite days ever. Because not only did I choose her to be ours, she chose me too. I got into the car with her on my shoulder and cried for a solid 5 minutes, I was so unbearably happy. 

She cuddled her way into our hearts and has stayed true to her joyful, cheerful, excited, playful, loving, kissable, huggable, adorable spirit that made me fall in love with her that first day. I can't believe I did this, but I left to go see a movie with friends up in Ormond, and when I got home, I was so excited to see her again that you would have thought it was my birthday and Christmas rolled into one. Which, I suppose, she was. I crept into the living room, looking for that small black thing.....and in the Christmas light glow of the Christmas tree, my Daddy was sleeping on the couch, with Lucy Mae tucked into his arm, all cuddled up sleeping. And then I cried. Tears woke up the puppy, and she licked my joyful, happy, salty tears away. 

She was ours. She was mine. She was here to stay and heal my broken heart. 

And she has. Every single day. I love her so much. There is a comfort and a knowing between our pets and us that is unexplainable. She brings joy to me every single day.... And goodness me, is she not the cutest little thing ever? Look at these pictures. ;) 

The day we got her - December 17th, 2010. She was just a few days short of 8 weeks old! 

Oh my heart. Asleep on my lap. 

Such a tiny little puppy. She was less than a foot long, and you could literally hold her curled up in both hands. 

See? Oh my goodness. My heart can't take it. 

Christmas pictures the day after we got her. 

Seriously one of the cutest things I've ever seen. She was wrapped up in a blanket, and sound asleep under the tree. 

That little nose. Oh my.  

Eating leaves outside in January, all wrapped up in my leather coat. 

SO. CUTE. 

"Oh? What was that!" 

"Nevermind. I shall eat this leaf now." 

"That was a tasty leaf." 

Yes, that is a sandal, and yes, it is as big as her. AAAH. 

Snuggle baby. 

And last night she was so extremely cuddly and playful, and I took some pictures of us which I love. 

Surprise Kisses Attack. 

When I got home from Illinois last Friday morning, she dragged away my socks and curled up with them and went to sleep on them. I think she might have missed me. 

She is my favorite nap-buddy. You don't know what comfort is besides a cuddly dachshund and a blanket. She brings such peace to my heart. 

I love everything about her. She comforts me when I cry, seeks me out when I am alone, comes to me when she is scared, looks to me to know for sure that all is well....she is happiest on my shoulder or on my lap....or dragging around something of mine. 

She was given to me and I've never wanted anyone else. She was the best Christmas present that year and every year since then, and birthdays rolled in as well. She makes us laugh and we just love her so much. 

When I put my hand down, she does this. She knows I need her, and she knows I need loving. Animals are so intuitive to feelings! 

And of course she keeps watch over us all, out the front windows. She could care less about squirrels, but will hunt lizards tirelessly.....yes, she is my dog. Thank God for a lizard killer and one of the sweetest dogs and friends I've ever had. 

Some days I can't even think about getting out of bed, and then I feel the bed move and then *stomp stomp stomp* over my leg, onto my stomach, and a head appears over the blankets. One smile and she's onto me, kissing my nose....I start to turn over and she puts her paws on my lips to get my attention...I sit up and she runs in circles and jumps off the bed and runs out of the room....and suddenly I want to start the day and see what it holds. She brings me alive. 

This has been a hard three years, but a much better three years for having Lucy Mae as our dog. Thank you, Mom and Dad for buying her!! And thank you Laurie for telling them how seriously I needed a dog....you knew when I kept telling you with tears in my eyes how I needed a dog, and you understood. I'm pretty sure the person she loves best next to our family is you. :) 

We love you, Lucy Mae!!!!!!

~ Jean Marie ~