Hi Darling,
The Carr-Fassett family has a lot to be grateful about. If you’ve been following our adventures on Facebook and Instagram (where I post most of my personal pix and lots of animal adoption updates) you know that we found a big ole blessing in the woods (with the help of some awesome New Yorkers!): A sweet, emaciated (35 pounds underweight), sick and struggling-to-stay-alive, hound dog who we named…Buddy!
After weeks of searching for his owner, making countless trips to the vet, nursing him back to health around the clock (how do you moms out there do it?!), and showering him with love, respect and compassion, it’s official—he’s doing great and we’re keeping him! He’s our soon-to-be-healthy boy now and we couldn’t be happier. Welcome sweet Buddy!
Today Buddy is quite the celebrity. Thousands of people from around the world have been praying for him and cheering him on (#gobuddygo). Folks have been logging into their social media accounts just for Buddy, especially on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
If you’re one of those people, I just want to take a moment to thank you. I know your love matters. It’s been part of his medicine and ours.
What’s more, I’ve read at least a dozen comments from people who went out and adopted a first or second fur-child. And countless others who have said, “now you’ve really got me thinking, I really want to adopt.” Booyah! Nothing makes me happier. I swear I’ve cried hundreds of heart-opening tears as I read all the love and possibilities. You all are so wonderful, yet another reason I have to be grateful.
When I first saw this skinny guy, I knew the road would be long.
And I heard the voices in my head: “Um, you don’t have time for this. He’s too sick. You’re already spread too thin. Lola doesn’t like to share. You travel too much. He’s bigger than your house. He’s a hunting dog, you eat plants!” Sound familiar? I bet you have practical voices that tell you not to do stuff you really want to do too.
Soon I came to understand that Buddy was my spiritual lesson.
I constantly talk about the importance of loving kindness—extended to all beings. How could I pick and choose when it’s convenient? How could I not take this guy into my life and heart. Brian felt the same way (thank the Gods!).
That was our rubber meets the road moment.
Who better than us to care for this guy? We have 16 acres of woods to explore, 6 of which are fully fenced in—crucial for Buddy’s built-in wanderlust. We work from home. We love animals. We want more joy in our lives. It quickly became a no-brainer.
As for Lola, she’s dealing and healing too. I think Buddy is the only brother she’d ever tolerate. Because he was so malnourished and wounded, she gave him space and reverence. Though she really doesn’t appreciate when he takes over her bed (that’s way too small for him), I think she likes to have a pal to trot around and explore with (which he is slowly starting to do). We’re doing our best to make her feel super special during this time. Translation: She’s getting chubby. “Hello piglet, enjoy it now cause it ain’t gonna last!”
After only a few days, Buddy is putting on weight—close to a pound a day. His coat gets shinier, his eyes get brighter and his tail wags more and more. He’s even starting to look our way when we call his name!
I wanted to express how lucky we feel to have the chance to make a difference in Buddy’s life.
If you decide to bring an animal into your home this holiday season, please consider adoption. So many beings suffer senselessly in shelters. Sadly, many of them die there, never knowing any kindness or cuddles. If you’ve got a rescued fur-baby, you know what I mean. You also understand that they know you saved them—it’s a bond like no other. And boy do they appreciate it.
Unconditional love heals.
Thanks for listening! He continues to heal. As do we.
There’s nothing better than happy trails and waggy endings!
Public Service Announcement: For all the hound dog lovers out there—consider a GPS collar. Hunting dogs and hounds are lead by their nose. They get lost easily and really need our help. Tragically, many hunting dogs go missing during hunting season, and others get left behind if they aren’t top performers.
Your turn: Share your adoption story in the comments below (and congrats to Lisa Henbest, my Crazy Sexy Kitchen contest winner!)
Peace & wags,
All 4 of our kitties found their way to us. Some were mere kittens-Blondie, because she is & Yeller because he does. Others were a little older-Gizmo displaced by a new baby & facing a giveaway in a Walmart parking lot, to our old man Harry, who hung around outside our house at dinner time until we discovered he was declawed & promptly moved indoors. No tag, no chip but obviously he belonged somewhere. Somehow this mixed tribe begrudgingly accepted each other & each have brought endless joy & laughter to our home & hearts. Did we plan on 4? Nope but they found us & I can’t imagine life without a single one of them.
Hi Kris & family,
We adopted both of our dogs. Polo was a pup when she became the daughter I never had (my 2 human boys love her & no jealousy…lol) then when she was 3yrs old we adopted Brownie. Wow, who knew that love could heal a dog who had no idea of how to be a dog. She seemed unfamiliar with grass and that she should sniff out her favorite spot to go. We began day 1 of our lives together hiking (since we hike with Polo everyday) she panted after just a few short feet. At the 4 month mark of getting her she began to run with her big sis Polo in search of squirrels (it’s all good for the squirrels, there’s a million trees for them to run up) and hasn’t stopped. On October 25th it was our 3 year family anniversary with Brownie, and low and behold she has started to dream or at least dream out loud, we know this because she started woofing and running in her sleep just like her big sister Polo. Gotta say, we were smiling for days. So awesome to see both our girls happy. It took a lot of patience to heal this little one, but the absolute thrill, joy, happiness, satisfaction, fulfillment…etc that we get looking at her and seeing her bounce around is PRICELESS. Animals are the best, & when you adopt a dog the joy felt is through the roof. People always ask what breed are our dogs, because they look unique aka. stunning, and I always say that they are Pure Bred Mutts just the way we like them.
Wishing you, Brian, Lola & Buddy (as well as the rest of the family on your farm) many, many years of beautiful perfect health, love, beauty, abundance, freedom, peace, bliss & joy. Rock on Kris, you are an amazing example on so many levels on how to ‘SHINE’ in this world.
I recently adopted my first furr baby, a little rescue kitten who I’ve called Tigerlily. At first when I was looking for a kitten, I was looking at certain breeds, and willing to pay what ever was needed. But the more I looked, I couldn’t decide what kind, and I really couldn’t go past saving a poor kitty from the pound or shelter.
I called around the shelters in our area, and looked on their websites. Finally I saw my kitten on one of the sites, and just knew that she was meant to be mine. I drove hours to get her, and from the moment I held her she purred and purred!
Tigerlily is the most gorgeous little cat, and everyone says so. She loves being around me, she sleeps in my bed, sits on my lap in the car, plays in the garden, and purrs and purrs all the time.
I feel like she chose me, rather than me choosing her, and I’m so grateful she has come to live with me and bring such love and joy to my life.
I will only get pets through adoption in the future. It is so rewarding and feels very special to be able to give the gorgeous animals a second chance and a loving home.
We already had a cat and a full grown german shepherd so we were not looking for another pet. Was in getting food for my brood and happened by one of the windows that showed the dogs that had been rescued. Bailey was behind the glass and when she looked at me her eyes said please take me home! Her litter of puppies at 5 and a half months old had never been in a house and the only human contact they had was to be beaten and kicked, the man was taking them out to a field to shoot them.
Bailey was the only pup with enough courage to come sit next to me although she was clearly afraid. It’s 4 years later, she is still afraid of men and children but always willing to oive them a chance. She is a wonderful dog and I am glad that we decided to take her home.
We’ve adopted a little feral family (no longer feral) of kittens. Their Mum is too shy to become a house cat, but she loves attention, and her freedom in equal measure. All but one of our animals has been adopted, throughout my life. And I have loved your pictures of Buddy! I love that you adopted him, and that you were there to find him in the first place – sounds like fate to me.
I saw yours and Buddy’s story for the first time last night and I was in tears. Such a sweet story for a sweet dog. I’m so happy he’s doing well.
Our adoption story isn’t anything spectacular, we got Ralphie from the Humane Society, but I think he was meant to be. My son wanted a puppy for his birthday and that was what Grandma and Grandpa had promised to get him. They repeatedly went to the Humane Society looking for puppies and they never had any (only full grown dogs, which of course I wanted to bring all of them home, but he insisted on a puppy). So, one Saturday, we decided to go check just to see if any had come in because his birthday was Tuesday (even though Grandma and Grandpa checked the day before) and sure enough…there was 1 puppy. He was meant to come home with us and has been with us ever since and we love him so much!
My rescued furbabies have meant the world to me. I rescued my first cat, Dude, when I was 18, and he lived to be 18 as well. His brother was from a pet store (please don’t judge!), but I fell in love and 17 years later my cat Lloyd still steals my heart. I adopted another kitty from a shelter and he’s a big ole’ sassypants. Jack is so much fun, and such a roly poly tuxedo cat. Then my dog, Sammy. Sweet boy. He was a rescue, and for the life of me I don’t know why he wasn’t snatched up sooner, except that he didn’t ham it up at rescue events. He is so wonderful. I was so nervous, I had never raised a dog before – but he was an old soul and showed me how to be a dog mommy, too. I am truly blessed by these beautiful babies in my life and forever grateful.
Buddy finding you was definitely meant to be. What a wonderful blessing for both of you. I hope you have many years of snuggling and playing together.
I adopted a beautiful red (fawn) female retired racing greyhound. Her story is sad as is all racing greyhounds. In her 105th race, she and another dog ran into each other and each broke their legs. Luckily, instead of her being killed she was sent to Ohio State Vetenarian Clinic to have her leg surgically repaired. This included taking a piece of her right front leg bone, a plate, and screws to repair her right rear leg. Luckily, Greyhound Pets of America-Louisville, KY took her in and a wonderful foster pair of parents took care of her during her rehabilitation. When I saw her pictures on the website, I immediately knew she was the one for me. (Especially in the picture with her beautiful greyhound ears up in the second picture.) When I was able to meet her for the first time, she was so quiet and sweet that I knew we would get along well. When the foster parents came for the required home visit Tiff seemed immediately at home. Luckily, the fosters were going on a vacation for about two weeks and I was able to have Tiff with me for the whole period. They gave me many numbers including theirs in case I needed anything. The time was magical! I am a vegan and this dog LOVES raw nuts, seeds, steamed broccoli, carrots, yogurt, avocado, veggie burger, etc. even though I feed her a freeze-dried meat, vegetable, and fruit mix. She LOVES to eat like me! She has the most beautiful brown eyes I’ve ever seen! She has great energy and endless curiosity. We are looking forward to life together!!
Our family has 4 rescued fur babys. 1 Pomeranian and 3 felines. You are aninspiration to us all Kris.
Namaste
I adopted my beautiful cat Jaxx from my best friend who was moving away. When Jaxx first became my cat he had a lot of trust issues, he is a very nervy cat, and felt abandoned by his previous owner. I think Jaxx and I get on so well because we are so similar to each other. I really think God put us together. My cat has thyroid issues, so do I, and I also have abandonment issues from a very dysfunctional childhood. Together we help each other heal from our wounds 🙂
I have both you Sexy Diet and Sexy Kitchen. They are my Bibles:). Our family has a rescued Pom and 3 rescued kittens. You are an inspiration to us all Kris!
Namaste
My adoption story. I was living in Toronto, lonely and needing a fur friend! I went to the humane society looking for a kitten! They only had two sisters who were about 4 months old! Her name is Betty! On the way home, i commented to my mom how big her nipples were! My mom just sId maybe its like people, all different shapes and sizes!
I took her to the vet and he noticed her belly and said she probably had worms, so he gave ger a shot! Then he said laughing “ha ha, if not maybe she is pregnant”! Didnt think much of it! Took Betty home we cuddled and loved each other for over a month, then one day she was laying on my lap, i felt something move! A little hand inside her belly! Felt like an alien! I thought i was crazy but then it happened again and again! My teenage cat was pregnant!
I checked the net and figured i had some time, i was wrong! Two days later on me as i slept she gave birth to 3 wonderful babies! She was a wonderful mother and i found families for all her children! It was a surprise but a welcome one!
In the last ten years, my only sister was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and died at the age of 28, my 32 year old cousin died the next year, his father (my uncle) the year after that, and my own father a few years later from a massive heart attack. It felt like every year all I could do was pick myself up in between funerals. I started businesses, ran marathons, fundraised for charity, but in the end I was an anxious, depressed and exhausted shell of my old self.
Because my husband and I live in a small house from the 30s, and work a lot, we didn’t want to get a dog. I thought it would be too much work, and that I would resent the time him/her took away from my dreams and goals (even though I work from home). But once I started taking care of myself (mentally and emotionally), I had the sudden desire to adopt a fur baby.
The day after Thanksgiving last year, I went on Petfinder.com and entered in details on the kind of dog we were looking for. About 25 possibilities came up, which I narrowed down to two. The first one I called about was adopted that day. I was so disappointed, and my mom said, “There is another angel waiting just for you out there. Don’t worry.” Doesn’t mom always know best?
The second dog I called about was named Clyde – a one-year old Terripoo – and the shelter did an adorable video of him. I filled out the application, and anxiously waited for the call, which came the next day. Hubby (who just had knee surgery and was on crutches) and I jumped in the car and drove two and half hours to the shelter. It was love at first sight! The volunteer went to get Clyde and he ran from her straight in to my arms. DONE. DEAL. Like a nervous mom about to leave the hospital with her first born, I asked every question under the sun about how to care for him. I signed the paperwork, paid the fee and put Clyde in the car. He promptly fell asleep on my Hubby’s lap. That was the first day of our new, improved and much more joyful life.
Clyde is pure love and kindness. He is an old soul that doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. He loves everyone – people, kids and animals – and is VERY popular. We can’t go anywhere without getting stopped multiple times. And he’s so smart! We’re hoping to train him as a therapy dog, so I can take him in to hospitals to visit sick children.
Bottom line: When you adopt an animal, you may be rescuing them, but what you soon learn is that they rescue you. They rescue you from your preconceived notions, your “too busy for this” mindset, your misguided priorities, and they teach you how to fully be in the moment, how to open your heart and how to experience pure joy.
Thank you, Kris, for sharing Buddy’s incredible story of courage, heart, spirit and of course, love.
I have always been an animal lover and one to never walk away from a lost, hurt, or hungry animal! Buddy is so blessed to have another chance at a loving family! Great inspiration, its more than an inspiration really its just awesome! Love your blog and books!
I was a single mom, struggling to raise 3 kids. One rainy evening, we got a call from a neighbor. “You don’t have a dog, do you?” “No.” “Well, we found one, tied to your porch rail this evening. We’re gonna take her to the Humane Society, unless you want her.” I walked down to take a look at her. “She” was a lively black mostly-Lab puppy, frisking about with the neighbors’ retriever. I picked the puppy up and she licked my face. That sealed it. I took her home to the three girls, waiting at the door in PJ’s.
“Matilda Velvet,” or “Tillie” was a wild dog. She was not at all house-broken and did all the things new puppies do: yapped, nipped, and chewed. But that first night, she hopped right up on the foot of my bed, as if she knew where she belonged.
The next day, a blizzard hit, and we were snowbound for two weeks. I went to buy food for her, and could barely get home. That dog was driving me nuts, and my youngest child was showing signs of serious dog allergy. I thought of taking her to the Humane Society, couldn’t, but due to the blizzard. After two weeks, though, I did. Chicken that I was, I did it while the kids were with spending an evening with their dad. Tillie gave a sad little whimper when we pulled into the Humane Society parking lot. It seemed she knew.
When the kids got home that evening, I was in trouble. My youngest started up a relentless campaign: “Mommy, that’s our doggee. When are you going to bring our doggee back? I want my doggee.” Even the nurse we spoke to about allergies was not exactly helpful. “Oh, but she’s a beloved family pet!”
It was true. I was calling the Humane Society every day, asking if anyone had adopted her, tears streaming down my face. So, my daughter and I went to bring her home again. She was overjoyed to see us. (One of my kids cried because I had brought her back!) She truly was a holy terror for–oh, about the first two years of her life! She used to crash through windows, lunging at squirrels. She chased bikes. She was “persona non grata” at the local dog playground for getting other beloved family pets in the “kill” position. She devoured chocolate, which is terrible for dogs. She was the total innocent (except for when she chewed the feet off the wooden cat).
But in the end, none of that mattered. What she did best was love us. She passed away a year ago. She opened up my heart to love again, to a man who would howl with her at the dinner table. “Tillie met me more than half-way,” he said. Yes, that was Tillie.
I found my little Chihuahua cross in the next state! I live in Canberra, Australia where there is PetRescue.com.au, a massive database featuring animals from foster homes, pounds and veterinary clinics across Australia. When I came across her photograph and story, I knew she was the one for me. I saved her photo onto my phone and would show it to anyone who would look- and she wasn’t even mine yet! And there was the issue that she wasn’t even in the same state as me. I contacted her foster mama, and it turned out that she was bringing a bunch of puppies to Canberra for a pet expo! She said she could bring my little girl along so I could meet her, and was good for her word. When we met it was amazing- she was so tiny (5 pounds) and scared. She let me pick her up and cuddle her, and then she clung onto me when I tried to put her down. I paid for her and took her home that day. I named her Toto (after an unfortunate cheetah cub in an animal documentary), and have had her for nearly three years now. She has doubled in size and is now happy and confident.
I adopted a beautiful kitty cat (Macey) 8 years ago & my life has not been the same since. She is very fluffy so being summer here is Oz she has had her yearly hair cut. She loves her hair cuts, after woulds she walks around the house with a kinda look at me, look on her pretty face. She loves her cuddles but only when she is in the mood or I’m reading lol. She loves to eat daddy long legs spiders & she is great at catching fly’s. I don’t know what we would do without her. I love her soon much & I tell everyone she is my baby (as we can’t have human children). I wasn’t sure about adopting her as she has the cat flu & has to have yearly injections but now I would think twice. 🙂
My parents have adopted 2 dogs. The first one recently passed away from cancer so they adopted another. Both dogs needed a home and are both loved a great deal! It’s neat to see them brought in to a warm and loving home!
I adopted 2 feral cats this spring myself and now I am feeding 3, one of the original. My guy is beautiful and I can’t tell you how feeding and caring for the ‘feral’ cats turns interesting. I decided that caring for them would help better care for my land in a more ‘natural way’, and keeping the rodents back from my gardens and such. Awesome being more connected to the land and animals. Blessings Jude