In 2012, I went to Best Friends in Kanab, Utah for the first time. I was there to take a workshop and to volunteer my skills. What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with a dog, Dumpling, in the Old Friends section of the Sanctuary.
Unfortunately, Best Friends has a policy about adopting dogs to overseas locations where quarantine is required (rightfully so, they feel their dogs have been through enough and the USA and Canada offer plenty of re-homing opportunities). The situation was further complicated because Dumpling had heartworm and would require treatment.
She was my sleepover dog for several nights including my last night and then I returned her with a heavy heart. I watched her status on the Best Friends website and had mixed feelings when the site confirmed that she had been adopted in December 2012 (and successfully treated for heartworm) – because I was heading back there again in 2013 and she would not be there.
But I did manage to check in with the Adoptions Coordinator when I arrived and asked if they would be willing to pass on my contact details to the adoptive family. And now each year around Christmas (Dumpling’s anniversary), I get an email from Dumpling’s Dad, Stuart, about her. 
This year was my fourth update:
Kathleen, Good morning and Happy Holidays. It’s time for our annual update on Dumpling.
Hard to believe it has been four years now since this sweet girl joined our family. Given all her issues, we had no idea how long we would have her, but I am very happy to say she is showing little signs of slowing down. She does have some minor medical issues but nothing that cause her any problems.
She still dances about when it’s time for her walk or when I get home from work. Her energy level is still great.
Over the past year she has stopped getting up on most of the furniture. The exception is the love seat in the bedroom which she claims early in the morning (3:00-4:00 AM) and will stay there until mom calls her for breakfast. I don’t think it’s that she can’t get on the furniture, I just think she likes to be able to choose the bed she wants to sleep in depending on if she wants to be alone or with us. There are 8 dog beds in the house & garage for two dogs. Not like they’re spoiled or anything.
The Lab in her comes out anytime she is near water. Get her close to any body of water and she walks right in. Even the rain doesn’t bother her. Her sister Callie will avoid the rain at all costs but Dumpling will go out and run around like any other day. One new thing is she does like to be dried off now. I think she likes the physical contact more than the drying.
I just wanted to check in and let you know she is doing great. We consider ourselves very lucky to have her.
Please have a very Happy Holiday.
Warmest Regards,
Stuart
I hope Dumpling has another good year and there will be a 5th update in 2017. Most of all, I am forever grateful that she found such a safe and happy home after many rough years.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
DoggyMom.com 