We got a call from Cricket’s groomer, last Friday, saying that she had a five-year-old Havanese female and would we want to meet her. She’d rescued the dog from a breeder, but then she realized she didn’t have the time and energy for another dog. We had asked her to keep her eyes open, and so, she thought of us.
My original plan was to wait until the end of my internship, in early August, to start looking for a dog, but the call came on Cricket’s eleventh birthday, about two weeks before the one year anniversary of Butterfly’s death, and I’d like to believe that the timing is a sign that she’s the one for us. Ellie is a breeding dog, like Miss B, with mainly white hair and a compact build, like Miss B, but she doesn’t really remind me of Butterfly. She reminds me more of Dobby, the house elf in Harry Potter, with her big eyes, and her fear of being hit, and her uncertainty about how to manage freedom.
Miss Ellie
Ellie checked a few boxes for me right away: smaller than Cricket, not a puppy but not a senior either, Havanese (hypoallergenic, non-shedding, good-tempered companion dogs). But we found out that Ellie had had her “barker” removed by the breeder, and was very skittish around humans, for a number of possible reasons. Mom was freaked out by the no “barker” idea, because, what is a dog without a bark?
We decided to go ahead and brought Cricket in for a haircut on Saturday morning, to turn her back into a recognizable dog, and to introduce her to Ellie and see if they could get along. Cricket sniffed Ellie and Ellie sniffed Cricket, and war didn’t break out, so we decided to take her home for a trial visit. The groomer gave us the supplies she’d already bought for Ellie, including cans of wet food, grain-free treats, wee wee pads and a doggy bed, plus her harness and leash. She said that, if we decided to keep her, we could pay her back for her spaying and shots, and then she’d be ours.
She doesn’t respond automatically to “Ellie,” so it’s unclear if that’s been her name all along or not. She has salt and pepper hair on her ears, and I thought “Pepper” might fit her, but Mom worried that it sounds too much like other “P” words, and could cause confusion, so we’re sticking with “Ellie.” She has a long back, and short legs, and her nose is longer than Cricket’s. Her ears sit up like pig tails, and her eyes are huge. She eats very quickly and would seemingly eat everything in the house, if we gave her a chance, so no more leaving kibble out for Cricket all day.
Early on, Ellie paced through the whole apartment, to check things out, and even went under Cricket’s couch, while Cricket watched, horrified. I think some message must have been sent, silently, that Ellie should never go under that couch again, because she has stayed clear.
We still have her in her harness all day, because the process of taking it off and putting it back on freaks her out. Even clipping on her leash for a walk terrifies her. She lets me pick her up, sometimes. Other times she turns away from me as if I am the bogey (wo)man from her nightmares.
“You’re so scary.”
She doesn’t know what to do with herself overnight yet. I’ve put her on my bed, but the slightest sound scares her off and she jumps to the floor and wanders through the apartment, using the living room rug as her wee wee pad, because she can’t remember that her wee wee pad is by the front door. We gently remind her where to pee, and clean up after her, and praise her when she pees outside, but I’m not sure she’s able to take it in yet. She’s started to play with toys, even pouncing on a ball when it was thrown for her. And every once in a while she gives us licks when we pet her head. She’s warmed up to Mom faster than to me, asking for uppies and sitting on her lap for a little while during the day, but I’m catching up.
“I love Grandma.”
Ellie is a gift, but I keep worrying that I didn’t choose her, and she just fell into my lap by luck. And I don’t trust luck, or fate, to do right by me. Part of my uneasiness is her uneasiness. She’s very skittish with humans, and when she stares at me, I worry that she’s scared of me, rather than interested. If I turn the page of a book, she stares at me, worried, but then she flops back down into her resting pose, where she looks almost at ease, stretching her legs and lifting her chin onto the rim of her bed.
“Excuse me, I’m stretching here.”
I’m sure I had second thoughts with Butterfly too when she first came home, with her health issues, and her tendency to shut down and not interact at first. But she was the right dog for me at that moment and the fact is, Ellie is going to blossom over time, and she will have her own lessons to teach me, and to teach Cricket. Butterfly taught us unconditional love, persistence, and resilience. I don’t know what Ellie will teach me, but I’m looking forward to finding out.
“Me too!”
Mom was right, though, the silence was eerie. Ellie didn’t bark at all at first. She listened to Cricket’s barking with interest, and/or fear, but she didn’t make a sound, just opened her mouth a little bit and closed it again. Mom thought she heard a high pitched bark one day, not from Cricket, but we weren’t sure. Then, Wednesday night, after my long day, I came home to Ellie and Cricket waiting for me at the door, both jumping up to greet me. And then, Ellie barked, again and again and again. Her bark is high pitched and light, as if she has a sore throat, but she has a lot to say and she wants to be heard.
“I just need to practice.”
There was one more sign. The first morning after Ellie’s first night with us, a brown butterfly came flying through the living room, flitting everywhere frantically, seeming to sniff the air, and sniff both dogs, to take stock of the situation. It made me think that maybe Miss Butterfly had sent her, to let us know that Ellie is the right one for us.
So, we wrote the check, and called the vet to have Ellie’s records transferred, and Ellie is officially ours. And I don’t even think Cricket minds, too much.
“Oy.”
rachelmankowitz 
Congrats! Miss Ellie is adorable and lucky to have chose yiu as her new guardian. Enjoy.
Thank you!
Oh my gosh what a story Rachel! When you mentioned the brown butterfly coming to visit I had to smile. Your Butterfly checking in on things indeed. Ms. Ellie look a lot like our maltese/chihuahua mix Link! Especially those big eyes and the big nose. The harness could may be replaced with a thunder shirt/vest they sell at Petsmart that helps dogs with anxiety: http://www.thundershirt.com/. I hope everything goes well!
Thank you!
Dogs that have been used solely for breeding, lived in a kennel most, if not all of their lives, and perhaps even abused by humans take a while to figure out that not ALL humans are evil and are going to yell or hit. It seems that Ellie is already relaxing a little bit and I’m very happy for you that you’ve found her. She needed you. And Ms. Cricket will show her the ropes, I suspect the weeing in the house will cease quickly. Best of luck in this happy time!
Thank you! Cricket is already teaching her the value of barking at every noise you hear.
I’m so happy for your family! Best of luck! ^_^
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Ellie is adorable!!! HAHA :):)
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Oh Rachel, I am so happy for you and Ellie!! I think it’s a perfect fit. I also think that what she will teach you is PATIENCE. I foster a lot of puppy mill dogs and it takes time for them to learn to be dogs. But in an environment of love, they blossom a little faster! Congratulations!
Thank you!
Oh lovely. Always hard settling a new pet in but she looks adorable and she will soon love you all unconditionally. Most of my pet cats have just kind of landed in my lap too. I sort of feel they chose me for a reason. And even our dog Hugo was the last boy in his litter , so the choice was kind of made for us there too. Good luck! Xx
Thank you!
Love that fifth picture—Ellie looks happy!!! Congratulations.
Thank you! The first time I saw a smile on her face it was an incredible relief.
I bet! It reminds me of our first days with our little rescue dog. Kind of holding our breath, and hoping she’d warm up…and she did…
Good news!
Is it really almost a year since you lost Butterfly?
I had a dog called Pepper, a collie x heinz variety with brown spots over her eyes which made her look like a pepper pot.
Miss Ellie looks so sweet. How could someone be so cruel as to remove her bark?
The good news is that Cricket seems content with a new companion. Looking forward to hearing developments! (with pictures of course). So pleased you’ve been blessed with another dog.
Thank you! Cricket would never admit it, but she’s been lonely without a sister.
🙂
My brother’s pup had his barker removed, too. We refer to what he does as “whisper barks”. I hope you come to love the sound of Ellie’s whisper barks as a happy sound in your now-complete family’s home!
Thank you! I’d never met a dog who’d been tampered with in that way before. It’s hard to picture a vet doing such a thing, but there must be vets out there who do.
Hey Rachel, congratulations on your new furry friend. When we got Holly our rescue it took her 6 months to wag her tail, she was obedient but very shut down. I’m sure in a little while she will be a perfect little madam. Enjoy her, she looks lovely.
Thank you!
She is a cutie 💖
Thank you!
Ive been away for a long time, and didn’t know of Butterfly’s passing. So, I admit, I cried a bit when I read the beginning of the post. I came to adore your two beautiful dogs through your stories about them, and will also miss Butterfly.
That said, Ellie sounds wonderful, and I’m sure I’ll love her too as you write about her. She may take more time to bloom and relax—my rescue pup has quirks specific to whatever happened to her before she came to us. But bloom she will, and I just know she’ll fit into your household in her own special way. Rescues are intensely special. Once their trust is earned, it seems they bond more fiercely than dogs who have never known suffering. That knowledge can also lend extra tenderness if they’re support or therapy pets.
Lots of love to your household, and to the new addition, Ellie. ❤️
Thank you!
love, Love, LOVE this post! I am so happy you are giving Miss Ellie a new home and love. I wanted to cry when I saw the pictures when she looked sad and scared, so I was glad you included a couple where she looked happier. I wish you many years of happiness with both your poochers.
Thank you! We’re getting more and more happy faces as the days go on. Cricket not quite as thrilled with all of the blossoming, but she’s adapting.
It will take time, but I’m sure you will all be very happy together.
hello ellie its dennis the vizsla dog hay welkum to yore noo forever home!!! i just no yoo wil hav a grayt life their!!! ok bye
Thank you!
I am so happy for all of you! I feel certain that everything conspired to bring you all together. She will settle and learn that she is safe to be herself. I fostered a little beagle in March and she is at long last learning to trust and figuring out how it works to be a lazy house dog rather then a beagle in a hunting pack. Every little new step toward friendship and trust is a testament to the human/canine relationship … and of course, I adopted her.
That’s wonderful!
I am smiling with tears in my eyes tonight as I read your post!
That little dog doesn’t know how lucky she is yet, but I do and I am so happy for you all!!
I knew she would find you.
Bless your heart…and hers…
Thank you so much!
Ellie looks like a good fit for your household and a good companion for Cricket.
I hope Cricket agrees, eventually.
Ha ha.
Congratulations!! I am thrilled that Ellie has found such a wonderful and loving home. I look forward to reading further adventures as she continues to adjust and her personality comes out.
Thank you!
Welcome Miss Elie to your new forever home. I’m sure you will be very happy with Cricket as your friend. Love Benji and his Mom x x x
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Congratulations to you all. It was meant to be.
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Yea! You made my day with this. Enjoy the new member of your family. She’s adorable.
Thank you!
Ellie is gorgeous. How great that you’ve found each other.
Thank you!
Thank you, Rachel, for making Ellis part of your family. That butterfly was the big sign, wasn’t it? And her smile – she is warming up to you – slowly but surely.
All the best.
Thank you!
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I’m just so happy about all of this, for all of you! Debarking is unethical. ugh. Some of the sled dogs I’ve worked with have been debarked. They can (and do, clearly!) make that high pitched scratchy sound, though, with enough effort. I’m glad you guys (Cricket included) are teaching her all about being a dog. A happy, well-loved companion with her own personality. Yay!!!!
Thank you!
Wonderful and congratulations! Careful about leaving the harness on too long. We did that with Laila and she got a sore from the buckle.
Thank you! I will keep an eye out for that.
Congrats!! So happy to meet lovely Ellie!
Thank you!
How wonderful that you would take in a rescue dog! There are so many unwanted animals, in need of a home. Ellie does look like Dobby — my favorite “Harry Potter” character, by the way. But time and love will help heal her wounds. ❤
Thank you!
How lovely! Ellie looks cozy and relaxed, being held and petted. So happy to have found a home to settle into. Glad that she is barking. I too would miss the communication. The back and forth.
All of our dogs have come to our home as puppies, the oldest two being four months old. They took varying times to adapt. I wonder to myself if a more mature dog would adjust more quickly. And if the second move to a new home within a short time period is more unsettling, making the adjustment period longer.
Best wishes!
Thank you!
That’s brilliant, I’m sure she will have lots to teach you all and to learn to be a happy relaxed pup with you all.
Thank you!
Sweet baby finally has a loving home. I have only had rescues. Some came to us shut down others ok. Time is a great healer. With all the love she will get she’ll heal in no time.
I hop so. Thank you!
Sometimes, we don’t choose the pets – they choose us. Ellie might always have fears and insecurities, but I have confidence that she’ll learn to feel secure in her new home.
Thank you!
Rachel, there is always the possibility that Ellie will never learn to trust everyone, but I expect her to learn to trust your immediate family. Saphera was discovered about 10 years ago (vet estimates she was about 6 months old). She was running next to the interstate, and had a broken tail, among other injuries. To this day, she doesn’t trust strangers and is particularly leery of males – the darker, the more her distrust. It’s embarrassing to have a prejudiced dog, but I imagine she has her reasons.
Cricket likes very few men, despite having four human brothers at her breeder’s house. Or maybe because of those four boys.
We’ll never know why Saphera is terrified of men, but suspect she had a horrible experience. I hope Ellie is doing better by the time she’s 10.
She’s already doing so much better. It’s a wonderful thing to see.
Very glad to hear that!
Aww, congratulations! And how wonderful for Ellie to have landed in such a great home for her.
Thank you!
She is just precious!
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Aww, little Ellie is adorable. We are sending oodles of poodles welcoming tail wags and hope with every day she settles in more with you.
Thank you!
Congratulations, new mommy! Adjustment can be difficult, but I just know Ellie will find her place in the end. You and your mom are wonderful caregivers And, you know, maybe your luck is changing (Although I know just how you feel when its comes to luck).
Here’s hoping Ellie is the beginning of a long lucky streak.
Very interesting about the butterfly visiting. I think there’s something to that. Love your new doggie!
Thank you!
OH MY GOD SHE DOES LOOK LIKE DOBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think you did the right thing; the timing is perfect!
Thank you!
She is so precious. Hope she’s still settling in well!
She is! Thank you!
Her face almost looks like one of those pics that have been photo shopped, it’s really wild. How is Cricket adapting? The sofa thing made me laugh lol
“Cricket sniffed Ellie and Ellie sniffed Cricket, and war didn’t break out”
Love this, so true lol The breath is held…..
Congratulations to you all!
Thank you!
Great story. An elderly friend of mine died recently leaving behind a much-loved dog, Tess, and I was delighted to hear that Tess is now living with a friend’s daughter, her husband and little girl and their dog Ernest, and she couldn’t be happier. Even Ernest thinks she’s OK.
Soft landings are the best!
This is one lucky dog to get adopted by you, Rachel. (And she really does look like Dobby!)
Thank you!
What a wonderful ending for Ellie, and you! Enjoy getting to know each other! Pip and the boys
Thank you!
I loved your story about Ellie. What a special gift you are to each other. It is easy to see that Ellie has a wonderful home and an overflow of love. Thank you for making the life of one sad puppy a happy one.
Thank you!
Aw! I love all the range of emotions ALL of you are going through. How is the butterfly bush you planted doing? Give yourselves some time. I think it will all work out. She sure is cute!
The Butterfly bush is blossoming!
Wonderful!
love love!!
She’s beautiful!
Thank you!
What a lucky little girl Miss Ellie is!! I am sure she will settle in soon! Mum and Dad are on their second rescue from a breeder. Mazzie was the first one and once she settled in she was a gorgeous girl when she crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Mum and Dad found Miss Bobbin, cute and always wanting to be on the sofa with the girls(Mum and I). She will sit with Dad if neither of us is home, but as soon as she sees us settled on the sofa she jumps ship/sofa from Dad. She is a real little princess. Sleeps late, and then lets us know when she is ready to get off the bed.
Look forward to seeing Ellie’s adventures.
Thank you!
Lovely news! Welcome Miss Ellie. 🙂
Thank you!