I have a pretty fun life update! Ian and I have adopted my late grandfather's senior Samoyed, Misty. She is ten years old, and spent her life up until now in very rural areas of Ontario. She has never lived in a city before where there's lots of goings-ons, other dogs, and loud traffic. She also has had a very inconsistent-to non-existent grooming schedule, as my grandfather wasn't capable of brushing her himself in his advanced age (96!) and no groomers locally or nearby he could bring her to. She and my Papa moved in with my parents a few years ago, and they have taught her some basics like how to heel and sit properly in the car. BUT this lil lady has more to learn. She can be quite reactive when she sees other dogs while on leash, barking and losing focus on me. She is eager to please but a bit emotional (aren't we all?).

Our first week with Misty

Misty arrived after a week long road trip looking a tad rough. She hadn't been professionally groomed in a long while, and had been on a lot of dusty hikes as my parents camped on their way over from Northern Ontario. After two grueling hours trying to get my parent's camper parked in my driveway, I took a look at her and immediately started googling groomers.

I had done some prep work in this area, thinking this might be the situation, but seems like groomers are very busy right now. Most places I had been checking either didn't pick up the phone/reply to my email, or were just booked up eight weeks out. I was grateful when I got in contact with a grooming service in West Seattle who offered to take a look at her and give me advice on how to care for her in the interim, and I was overjoyed when we showed up and they were able to make room in their schedule for her right then! She went in totally dull, grey, and matted, and came out a glowy angel with a pink belly and bows on her ears. I am so grateful to live somewhere and have the resources to have professional help with a very high maintenance fur breed of dog. We booked out her appointments in advance and I'm happy to say are covered until March. And to boot, they told me she was the most tolerant, well-behaved Samoyed they'd ever groomed. But maybe they say that to everyone 🤷🏻‍♀️

Misty seemed to settle in fine and be content with us the last week, but I definitely could see the bond she shared with my parents. Ian and I took her on all her walks and started training with her right away, but she always checked in with my mom when she needed something. It was really heart-breaking to watch my mom say goodbye to her on Monday morning. She loves this dog, and Misty really represents my grandpa in a lot of ways, so I know it was hard for her on multiple levels. She feels Misty being with Ian and I is what's best for her in her twilight years, but it's still really hard to leave your dog at the end of the day. In a similar vein, I feel like having her here is a wonderful reminder of my Papa and all the memories I have from growing up visiting him and my grandma and their Samoyeds.

Misty is sweet, always smiling, always willing, and loves being around people. She follows me from room to room in the house, much like Greer did, and lays in beds Greer lounged in for years in our old apartment. She walks on Greer's leash, she plays with the toys Greer ignored, and she eats from the bowls Greer ate from. She borks at strange noises that Greer used to sleep through. She lays on the hardwood floor when she doesn't feel like a cushy bed. She requires consistent brushing.

I asked Ian if he felt like Misty was his dog yet, and he told me no, but that he loved her, and that he was happy she was here. This definitely isn't what we pictured when we felt ready to add a dog to our family again, but I'm filled with optimism and love to give, and I really hope Misty likes it here. She's an old dog, she's learning new tricks, and she's a whole new experience for us. I'll be sharing her lots I'm sure on my instagram stories, so come join us to follow her journey there 💛