Meet Willow, the new-to-us 4 year old Bernese Mountain Dog we adopted, sent to us a little over a week ago from our dog Charly, who is absolutely watching over her family from above. Willow is proof of that.
After the rough month it has been losing Charly, Chris and I had an idea we’d get the girls a puppy, closer to Christmas. A family down the road had a litter of 6 adorable Newfoundland puppies ready to come home in late November and after visiting them and meeting the mom and dad, we decided to put a deposit down on one of the girls. The next day, I started feeling really anxious about it. And by the day after, I expressed to Chris that I was having second thoughts I couldn’t explain. We loved the idea of a Newfie. The breeders were extremely reputable and responsible. The girls would LOVE a puppy. The timing seemed perfect, but something wasn’t right.
That night, I was browsing through the online classifieds while nursing Polly to sleep and I came across a photo and ad looking for a new home for Willow. Her former family’s other dog recently passed and with older children and lots of responsibilities outside of the home, they were sad and concerned they could no longer give her the attention she deserved. Charly came into our lives under similar circumstances and it worked out so well…but we just bought a puppy!
I knew Bernese Mountain Dogs were wonderful and I couldn’t stop thinking about Willow. I started scrolling through Instagram, and decided to search the hashtag, #bernesemountaindog, and the very first photo that came up was the sign we needed–
Posted just minutes before, the most recently posted was this one, that looked just like Charly and Willow. Tears started streaming down my face. I knew Willow was meant for us. She was a gift to our family from Charly. They planned the whole thing together. That very night, we called off the puppy (forfeited our deposit) and Chris made the 8 hour round-trip to go pick her up and get back just in time to surprise Greta after school the next day. This whole past week has been wonderful getting to know each other. She’s very shy but has warmed up to us and is wonderful with the girls and all of their friends.
She loves being outside, running all over our back yard, from one corner to another. It’s been interesting to notice the similarities and differences between her and Charly. Willow doesn’t snore like Charly did, but she loves to sleep right outside our door like she did. She’ll let you scratch under her chin all day long. Like Charly, she has found her spot under Faye’s chair at dinner. And loves barking at the neighbor’s cat, too. (Imagine that).
She’s not as large as Charly was, but her love is just as big. It’s wonderful to have another furry member of our family in our house, making it feel like home. We needed you, Willow!
I literally just cried. It’s so amazing and loving that you were able to take her in. And yes that picture brought chills .
Love this so much! Made me seriously tear because. I know these feelings both of losing and of gaining a fur family member to well. May you find a new loving journey with willow! What a blessing for all involved!
This brings tears to my eyes and warms my heart❤️ I am Willows Grandma. I am so sad to see her go but so grateful that our beautiful daughter Heather has true love and compassion for all living things and has found a heavenly home for sweet Willow ????❤️ Thank you for choosing to give Willow the life she deserves and forgoing the puppy you had chosen???? I too feel that it is meant to be. So sorry for the loss of your beloved Charly????
I look forward to following your wonderful blog and sharing in the rest of Willows beautiful life with you! Sending you all Hugs and Blessings!
Barbara and Chuck Sasse
I had to put my phone down and wait for the tears to pass before I could finish reading. Wishing your family many years of cuddles with your new member. ????????
this is just so beautiful for all of you, but esp willow. in a world where so much feels uncertain and unclear, i find these stories and the bonds between dogs and their people….just completely pure and sustaining. i don’t know what i would do without my dog in my life. and i’ve lost beloved pets before. it’s incredibly difficult. but so worthwhile and such a blessing. so glad willow found you.