The Sterks FINALLY Got a Puppy!

If you know the Sterks, you know that we have been talking about getting a dog for way too many years. And really, that is an understatement! Dan grew up breeding golden retrievers and I grew up with a dog (I know, not as exciting as Dan…)

Then our daughter was born. She became interested in dogs I think the minute she came into this world on March 17, 2015. I have a picture of her having just learned to sit up, staring at a large dog encyclopedia, and being enamored by all of the dog pictures. And since she could talk, she has asked to get a dog. More recently, she has been asking to get a puppy for her birthday and for the first time in awhile, Dan and I revisited the conversation. We both realized, “why not”? She’s at the perfect age to help, to embrace the responsibility, but young enough to give a whole lotta love to a dog!

But as you will see from the pictures, we have TWO. Indeed, we do.

One is Dan’s parents, who are away for a month, so we are caring for their sweet Millie until they come back. You see, Dan’s parents have been thinking about getting a dog and knew some places to look. Dan had looked around on the internet a bit, but golden retriever puppies were a bit more than we wanted to pay. So he asked his parents if they knew where to look and they found someone who was selling 2 female golden retriever puppies for cheap! But no pictures. Seemed odd…

Dan called the number and indeed they had 2 females, so he jokingly asked his parents if they wanted us to pick one up for them too. A decision you don’t want to make in haste, so they’d let us know in a few days. Two minutes later, his parents called and asked us to pick one up for them too.

Then Wednesday night, we told Mazy we needed to have a family meeting. We told her we wanted to give her an early birthday present and right away, she asked, “Are we getting a puppy?” Her smile and response was priceless! All she could do was giggle AND it was the breed she wanted – a golden retriever puppy. She was so ecstatic she was running in circles and couldn’t fall asleep, she was so thrilled! The joy it brought to her face, I will never forget!

So Friday night, we drove the hour and 20 minutes to pick them up. What’s interesting, is that it was a Mennonite family, and so that is why there were no pictures! After asking for some to be sent, the wife kindly told us they didn’t own a camera. We drove up the driveway and it was clear they were a horse and buggy family, though did have some “modern” technologies, such as a washer and dryer. They were the SWEETEST family and I think it made their day to know that those pups were going to a good home. In fact, the family first thought they were going to keep them, but in the end, decided to put them up, and we are so thankful they did! After getting to know the pups a little, we made our way home.

The pups barely moved an inch the entire drive home! When the sweet Mennonite family said that the pups were quiet, coming from a family who lives a more quiet life, we knew they had to be quiet…but THAT quiet? They lived in a barn for 4 months, so they definitely smelled (and we are still working on getting the smell out), but they have barked once since we got them. They have JUST started to play. Chewing on things? Not really their thing. All they do is sleep, lay in a ball together, and…sleep. They didn’t want to eat or drink because they were just so scared and nervous, but thankfully they have come around! We don’t think they had a lot of human interaction, being in the barn, except with animals. But the past 2 days, the puppy in them is slowly coming out! Mazy just has to say the word “wrestle” and they will now jump and wiggle all over her, which is what she wanted in the worst way! In fact, the first time they played with her, was 5 minutes before we had to leave for evening church, and she was devastated we had to leave because all she wanted to do was play! But we told her she has years and years of doing this!

Yes, we will send Millie on her way after Dan’s parents get back, but those pups will see each other PLENTY, so they will have a forever bond. Including Mazy. Mazy chose the name Maggie for her pup, which is very fitting for that sweet pup!

Before I continue, here’s a few (okay, more than a few) pictures:

The Mennonite farm in the middle of nowhere. What a beautiful place!

First sight of Maggie and Millie. Mazy chose the name Maggie and his parents, Millie.

Those pups weren’t sure about all of this…

Her smile says it all!

Protecting each other…

Even though the pups were so scared, Mazy was extremely gentle and loving towards them!

First attempt at getting rid of the barn smell:

Mazy’s favorite time – SNUGGLE TIME!

Mazy and Maggie:

Call me weird and crazy, with all of the pictures. Though this moment, this weekend, has been in the making for quite some time, like I said earlier. Mazy is starting to realize that many people her age have a brother and/or sister, and she doesn’t quite understand why she doesn’t have one. It used to bring me to tears, to the point where I’d have to walk out of the room, but knowing that this is just how life is supposed to be, I can now tell her confidently that this is what God wants our family to look like, with the 3 of us. But there was always this thought in the back of my mind, maybe a dog could help fill a small fraction of that void she felt? Of course any void can only fully be filled by Christ and his love. Though we knew a furry friend could sure help with that desire for companionship.

People get dogs everyday. I know this is nothing new. But for those who know that it has taken us YEARS to get to this point, even after 2 days, I couldn’t imagine seeing Mazy without her pup(pies)!