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| Marguerite
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My 4 year old son and I went through a big ordeal last summer and the doctor suggested we adopt a dog for some zootherapy. After an intensive search of different SPCA's (didn't want to go where euthanasia is a daily routine) and sending out e-mails, the SPCA de l'Ouest du Quebec was the first one to answer (the next morning ... SPCA de Sherbrooke 3 months ... :-\ ) and so I took my car and drove from Montreal to go visit the facilities and meet the dogs. Having had dogs before, I knew what I wanted sizewise and breedwise (or rather I knew what I didn't want ...) but looking for a dog for zootherapy was a first for me. Thanks to Jennifer and the staff, they helped me pick my new family dog and son's best friend. My son Simon had decided beforehand it had to be a female and he would call her Marguerite and so when Jennifer showed me this 18 month old blond lab outside in the backyard, it was love at first sight. When I took her for a trial walk, she was jumping after grasshoppers and following butterflies; a real lil clown and happy to go out. The problem ... I couldn't take her home right away. She had to stay 10 days because she had just found her way to the SPCA and needed to do her quarantine. Simon decided to leave her some new toys and a brand new collar with flowers on it so she wouldn't feel lonely. Boy were those ten long days to wait but I had calls and e-mails with pictures from Jennifer giving me news about our lil girl. Simon was getting very excited and we were watching Marguerite's pictures every day on the website (I ended up printing them and posting them on the fridge). The big day came but I wanted to surprise my son when he would come out of daycare so I drove alone to go pick up Marguerite. She was super during the hour and a half drive and when Simon and Marguerite met they were equally excited and happy. That tongue was very busy greeting everyone. Since that day I can tell you Marguerite has changed our lives. She plays a lot with Simon (they chase one another or fetch ball), when he gets hurt or cries she goes right away to see him and tries to fix the problem, and she gets really excited to see him every morning when he comes down the stairs. She also loves chasing the cats and bringing them her toys in the hope they will pick it up and run away so she can chase them but they are always startled when she drops her big bone at their feet. She is very careful with Simon and patient, and he takes really good care of her. Even after 8 months he still helps preparing her food (and he loves giving her treats ... Marguerite has gained some pounds ...) and almost every day he says 'ok mommy let's go walk Marguerite' and so we do. Because she has a lot of energy, I also take her for long walks in the woods where she can roam free and have put a jingle bell on her collar so I can locate her. She also made many four legged friends at the doggy park but they always get tired before she does ... She absolutely adores people and animals, a real lovebug and we really love her too.
And
guess what? She will soon have a permanent dog friend as we are
going to adopt another dog soon. So I will be making that trip
again and this time she will help me chose our next family member!!!
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