You Knew This Was Going to Happen

May
9


On Friday, Morgan crept over to my cousin’s farm and stole this puppy.

She took it right out from under its mama’s nose.

There was the heartwrenching moment of goodbye.

Mama thought about how much more time she’d have now with one less puppy. She’d write plays and learn to tat and maybe have time to travel.

And then she cried a little bit and said, BABY, DON’T LEAVE ME!!!! Because didn’t really want to write plays or tat or travel. She wanted to be a mother. SOB.

Morgan stole away with her baby, unabashed.

I told her she better call Georgia from the car and tell her she’d stolen a puppy.

Georgia said, “Could you steal one or two more?” NO. My cousin is keeping two of the pups. He gave the others away at the Wal-Mart Puppy Distribution Center (aka the parking lot) yesterday.

It didn’t take long.

This one went away with a little boy.

This one went away with a gaggle of girls.

I don’t know who took the last one. I had to go. I had just come across my cousin in the parking lot by surprise. I didn’t know he was giving away the rest of them there yesterday.

It was hard to not just take this one home with me, too. But one puppy is enough.

The mother of these pups is some kind of Golden Retriever cross and she has an excellent disposition, so we’re hoping our little puppy will take after her. Right now, he’s just a sausage roll on legs. Morgan was calling him Lucky before we brought him home. Now she’s calling him Casper. (CASPER???? I’ll keep you updated.) He’s soft and cuddly.

I’m such a sucker!





Comments

  1. SkippyMom says:

    That last pic’ says it all 😀 Oh the little tongue – and really what is one more pup? Congrats Morgan!

  2. Nancy in Iowa says:

    Super cuddly! He looks like the Charmin (I think that’s the one) puppy in the commercials.

  3. Jack Woodruff says:

    Part of me knows mama is glad to be rid of the brats, but another part of me finds it sad. Please take great care (I know y’all will) of the little guy.

  4. Kelly Walker says:

    All I’ve got to say is that “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”! Happy Mother’s Day to you and Morgan.

  5. samanthaincali says:

    Hey, animals are like kids, ‘what’s one more?’ Love abounds. LOL I have 4 kids by the way and just as many dogs and cats. 🙂

  6. Sheila Z says:

    Tell the Giant Puppy to raise Casper right. No chasing chickens, sheep, cows, etc. He sure is cute.

  7. CindyP says:

    Yes, Nancy, the Charmin puppy! I love labs…their disposition and manners. What a cute little thing! But they grow up big, well not as big as Giant Puppy…..

    Happy Mother’s Day!

  8. Karen Anne says:

    He will be visiting his Mom, right, when you guys visit your cousin…

  9. Peggy says:

    I knew Morgan would end up with a puppy :happypuppy: The puppy is so cute and will be a great addition to the farm.

  10. Debnfla3 says:

    What a cute little puppy! Big Puppy seems to like him too.

  11. Charlotte says:

    Where do I look to find out to who won the last give away?

    Thank you.

  12. jane says:

    Every year people take unwanted dogs to the WM parking lot and give them to anyone who will take them, no questions asked. I work with rescue groups and shelters and it is a shame the thousands and thousands of dogs who are put down every year because irresponsible owners refuse to get their dogs fixed and then they dump dogs at the WM parking lot to people who dont know how and dont care for them properly. Responsible groups check out people who adopt dogs, they are old enough and have their shots and are fixed. What happens when the parents of those girls refuse the dog? What happens when the husband of this lady refuses the dog? I will tell you – they will dump the dog on the side of the road, like your cousin did in giving it to them or they will dump the dog in the country. There is no excuse for any of this. There are laws governing this and there will be more. In many places you cannot go to the WM parking lot and dump dogs out on people. This is an outrage and could have been avoided if your cousin were responsible and had gotten his dog fixed. This isnot a cute little story, this is a shame and unbelivable.

    • Suzanne McMinn says:

      jane, yes, as blueberrylu says, this is a dog my cousin rescued himself and he TRIED to get it fixed but it was already pregnant. (I’ve posted about this previously.) You have no idea that the people who chose to take the puppies (chose, not got dumped on) will turn around and dump the puppies. I’ve adopted puppies from Wal-Mart parking lot several times in my lifetime and never dumped the dogs later. Would you rather he took them to the shelter where they’d be put down? Or dumped them by the road somewhere? At least they have a chance and the people who took them seemed enthusiastic about having them. He did the best he could do with a pregnant dog HE rescued. He’s keeping two of the puppies himself on top of that. And he’s getting the mom fixed so it won’t happen again.

  13. Leah says:

    Looks like Coco fell in love with the lil guy right off! :happypuppy: HAPPY MOTHERS DAY EVERYONE! :happyflower:

  14. blueberrylu says:

    Jane—-to defend the cousin a bit—-he rescued the mom and found out she was pregnant when they went to get her fixed. Don’t point the finger at them, when they tried to do the right thing to begin with.

  15. Diane says:

    I knew it would come home with you. So cute. Looks like Coco will take care of it while its little. lol.

  16. mamawolf says:

    Happy Mother’s Day Suzanne. Morgan, your puppy is adorable. Now that your Mother has accepted this newest member of the family be a love and get Weston to help you fix a marvelous breakfast for her. She deserves the best. :woof:

  17. Runningtrails says:

    He is so unbelieveably cute!! Who can resist puppies!!

    (I’m a sucker too. I have TWO Great Pyranees pups now! – siblings)

    Happy Mother’s Day all!

  18. Lynn at Razzberry Corner says:

    Keep us updated on his name! He is adorable, we always love puppy pics! :happypuppy:

  19. Phyllis says:

    Well, whether his name is Casper, or Yellow Dog, or whatever, he is a LUCKY PUPPY to find such a loving home. I am sure that Morgan, with the help of Giant Puppy and all the rest of the farm animals will raise him to be a wonderful dog.

  20. Betsy says:

    Suzanne, please don’t feel the need to justify your (and your family’s)care of animals. Anyone who follows your website knows the love and responsiblility you show daily for all the animals on your farm. This is country living, folks, and the haters need to stay away.

  21. Melinda says:

    Jane needs to drink some more coffee. Some people really should engage their brain before they begin to type.
    No one likes to see puppies dumped at shelters or abandoned with no thought, but when someone tells a feel good story about four little puppies finding new homes where people want them and will love them……….why react like that?
    And I have a news flash for you kitten…….the Walmart here is where the SHELTER itself does adoptions and if you have %50 bucks and fill out a form SAYING you will get them neutered you can take them. No one checks…..no one knows…..so climb down off your high horse and realize life isn’t perfect but most people do their best.

  22. Melinda says:

    and Happy Mother’s Day Suzanne

  23. NorthCountryGirl says:

    Happy Mother’s Day Suzanne! I’m so happy for Morgan and her cute little “sausage roll.” I hope each of those other puppies has a very good home, too. At least your cousin gave them a chance to live and didn’t kill them at birth as sometimes happens to the unfortunate ones.

  24. claudia w says:

    Oh Suzanne…you have the room, on your property and in your heart for just one more puppy! He is Lucky though!

  25. CATRAY44 says:

    That puppy is very blessed! Looking forward to a whole new books – “The Little Puppy on the Big Mountain”!

  26. catslady says:

    You do the best you can and it sounds like your cousin did too. I do what I can for ferals and strays and it’s never enough but it has to be better than doing what some people do which is what causes the problem in the first place.

    Looks like she got the cutest of the bunch!

  27. jane says:

    I will give him that he found a pregnant dog. I do not approve of taking dogs to WM to be given out. People get those dogs on a whim. All shelters should be no kill shelters. I have worked with shelters and rescue groups for years and I can tell you most of them who take those dogs end up dumping them. Not all care for them in a responsible way. They do the same thing at flea markets, take dogs to be given out with no way of checking out the people adopting them. Unfortunately most city shelters do not do a good job either of adoptions or tracking if they have them fixed. Most good no kill shelters have them fixed and all shots given and the people are checked out before they are adopted and if it does not work out they bring the dog back there. My opinion is my experience and does not require a cup of coffee.
    Melinda you ahve no proof these people who took those puppies will do the right thing just because it is a feel good story. someone has to speak for the animals who have no voice. And just because one lives in thecountry does not mean they check their brain at the gate either. It makes no difference.

  28. Gayle says:

    Yay for Casper, Double Yay for Morgan. Happy Mom’s Day to all moms, furry, feathered or fair. (Suzanne, check w/MamaDoggie, if she still wants to tat, I am a tatter, I will come teach her!)
    Happy Day!!
    {{{}}}
    😀

  29. Kristen says:

    Adorable!!! Happy Mother’s day Suzanne :woof:

  30. Pete says:

    And you, jane, have no concept what life is like out here – and have no apparent understanding that this, on Sunday, Mother’s Day, is neither the time nor the place for such nonsense as yours.

    In this community, WalMart is where everyone who is anyone gathers on Saturdays! It is much more likely that everyone on the parking lot knows each other and probably half of them are shoestring related to each other than not.

    This isn’t rocket science. And we don’t come here to be lectured.

    Happy Mother’s Day everyone! If you don’t have a new puppy to enjoy, find a rose to sniff, or something equally wonderful to do with your day!! :snoopy:

  31. wvhomecanner says:

    Jane, I can sift through your rants and see the message, but you might want to work on your delivery – most folks respond much better and listen to a message if they aren’t put on the defensive immediately/feel under attack. What happened with these puppies is much better than what happens to many. And in Suzanne’s community, it’s quite likely that if the puppy gets home and isn’t approved to stay that they’ll find another home or hunt down ‘Madison’s Dad’ or ‘Morgan’s Uncle’ to take the puppy back to him. I clearly remember that one alternative used to be tying pups or kittens in a feed sack and tossing it in the creek!

  32. Lisa P in California says:

    Wow…I don’t think I’ve ever seen such controversy in your comments section before. I don’t think I could have turned away the little brown puppy…he’s too adorable. I like the name Casper for the one you brought home, but “Lucky” works nicely too. Congratulations on your new addition and have a wonderful Mothers Day!

  33. Shelly says:

    I think that is great that Morgan has her own puppy. They are such a blessing. I love my dog so much I wish I could have more. You have such a lovely farm with all those wonderful animals. :woof: :cowsleep: :chicken: :sheepjump: :sun:

  34. scorwin says:

    I’m a bigger sucker Suzanne > > > I would’ve taken that last little puppy too : )) Let’s all just pray for the other little puppies that the people who took them will love them forever.

  35. BuckeyeGirl says:

    Saucy, short for Sausage Roll!

    Some people look at a situation and see whatever good there is, and enjoy that, while trying to improve whatever else they can in this world. Works for me, and I think for 99.9% of the rest of the people who visit this site! Love you guys! And love the new puppy.

  36. Sharyn says:

    People like Jane have been damaged by seeing the worst of people/animal relationships. They forget that MOST people are good and MOST dogs are in good homes. I know hundreds of people like Jane. They judge the rest of the world and in the worst cases, struggle to pass legislation to make pet ownership more difficult and more expensive, because in their hearts, they don’t believe people are good enough to interact with animals. And while we’re on the subject, please give money to your local shelters, and not to the national “humane” organizations. They do not support shelters, but use the bulk of the money they raise for more fundraising, high salaries, and lobbying for laws to separate the rest of us from our animals. I enjoyed the story of Morgan and her puppy, and though I have never visited this site before, I will be back to see how he grows!

  37. Marianne says:

    Happy Mother’s Day Suzanne!

    Sorry that your heartwarming post caused such a ruckus! I’m sure those puppies found wonderful homes. Jane, did you take a close look at those pictures? Those puppies ARE going to good homes! Look at the pure joy on the faces of the new puppy parents, that was enough for me.

  38. CATRAY44 says:

    Amen, Buckeye Girl. While we can never be sure about anything, I think most people do the best they can. Suzanne and her family have done better than that -taken a sad situation, saved lives, gave most of them a forever home with them and a great chance for a future with what looks like a good mom (and a boy to grow up with!) and teens who will probably love it dearly. And, as Scorwin says, we pray for them to be blessed and be a blessing to all the homes they are now in. Thank you Suzanne for all you do. Happy Mother’s Day, too!

  39. sahmcolorado says:

    So glad you have your new pup – he’s adorable!

    I hope all the pups have found happy forever homes. We just need to try to remember that not everyone who owns a computer and can type is going to write something worth reading.

  40. Barbee' says:

    Suzanne, are you sure that the pup wasn’t a Mother’s Day present? 😉 😆

  41. Angela says:

    Jane, I will have to say that my cousin adopted a dog from a local animal shelter in the Charleston, West Virginia area. She brought it home and it got sick. She took it to the vet and found out it had parvo. They had to put it down. She went back and adtoped 2 more dogs after they cleaned up their yard of course. They too got sick and had to be put down. My cousin has 2 young children. They had just lost another dog due to old age. So in all they lost 4 dogs within a short period of time. The shelters are adtopting out sick dogs that they know are sick! My sister adopted one from a shelter last year. Brought it home and it too had parvo. Not wanting to break the heart of her young son she did everything she could to save the dog’s life. It worked but it cost her over $900 that she didn’t have to spend on a mut from a shelter. I don’t think I’ll ever want to go down that road myself!

    I live in the country and people drop off entire litters of puppies around my house. :happypuppy: :happypuppy: :happypuppy: :happypuppy: :happypuppy: :happypuppy: :happypuppy: :happypuppy: I did take one in but it makes me mad just thinking about how those people got one over on me! She has been a great dog that we have had for 10 years now.

    Many cats have been dropped off here also but my dogs don’t like them and they chase them off. 😮 😥

    As far as the rescue groups are concerned. :hissyfit: I am not a qualified pet owner because I do not have a fenced in yard. I don’t have my pets living in my house and sleeping in my bed which seems to be one of your requirements. Like I said, I live in the country somewhat like Suzanne and there is no need for a fenced in yard for my dogs. They run free and they are the happiest dogs in the world! Yes, I do let them inside but they don’t live in the house. Yes, I do get all of my pets spayed. Their shots are up to date. They are loved! Flea and tick free too but again, I’m not qualified to adopt a rescue dog.

    Hope you had a Great Mother’s Day Suzanne! :heart:

    Angela :wave:

  42. Sandra in SC says:

    Oh, I just love puppies….Lucky Casper is soooo cute! If I lived on a farm, I’d have several dogs and cats too!!!

  43. Nancy says:

    Why do some people who work for rescues have to be so pompous! I volunteer for a Humane society…do you know how many pets are neutered, have their shots, etc. and are still returned??? Life holds no quarantees. These pups could end up happy, healthy, well loved members of the adoptive families…don’t be so judgemental and get all the facts before you spout off on your soapbox. Phew…got that off my chest… Suzanne, the mom looks like a yellow lab! The pups are gorgeous! Good luck Morgan!

  44. Nancy says:

    Angela, Did you know that you can’t adopt a rescue Lab if you hunt? “It requires them to be off leash for an extended amout of
    time.” Uh, yeah…so you’re not the only one “not qualified to adopt”… 🙁

  45. jane says:

    Absolutely right = there are a ton of city shelters who adopt out sick dogs – why – because they are dumped there or dumped in the woods or on the highway and left. the city shelters have limited funds to take care of them. And frankly the people they hire could care less in a lot of cases. In one shelter I found the men working out on equipment while the cages were filthy and roaches crawling all over the food. City shelters are controlling the population and disease in their areas and most often dont really care outside of that. I belong to several organizations who raise money and volunteers who help with this and we give the puppies their shots to prevent the parvo. city shelters exist because of unwanted dogs and humans who are not responsible unless the law makes them. Yes some are for sure and I hope these puppies went to good homes who care for them properly. It is too easy to get caught up in Oh how cute and when you get home you have not thought about caring for a dog. You should see the statistics of how many dogs are gased and injected every year – a sad commentary on America. There are also free and low cost pet clinics who give shots and will fix your animals if you look. In one area I volunteered, the people just refused to fix their animals because it was not done. Puppy mills are the worst and there have been many closed in Texas with the authorities removing hundreds of sick and overworked animals. I choose a strong voice on this matter because someone has to raise the issue.

  46. IowaCowgirl says:

    I think I’m in love with Casper. I would take a pup, BUT I JUST GOT A GERMAN SHEPHERD PUP after patiently waiting until our old brigade of canines diminished due to age. My pup is just 4 months old and lots of fun!! I’m sure yours will be wonderful too.

  47. blueberrylu says:

    Jane—if you are looking to enjoy learning about country life or are looking for great recipes—-this is the place–welcome. If you are looking to be a voice for animal rights, while pointing fingers at everyone—-who you do not know and are judging, then this may not be the place for you. Most of the folks on here are animal lovers who have probably feed more strays and doctored more injured animals and birds than you may ever have, and we certainly are not some dumb backwoods folks who have never heard of spaying and neutering. If you feel so terrible, then please go and help some poor animals in need instead of writing such baited comments.

  48. Sharon Gosney says:

    Happy Mother’s Day Ladies. I would like to say in my lifetime I’ve learned to get both sides of a story before you shoot off your mouth, and judge someone! Eating crow isn’t very tastie lol.

  49. Marty says:

    Oh my gosh, I would have picked up that last one in a heartbeat. Looks a lot like our dog did when we got him as a 9 week old puppy. Sooooo cute.

    We got him from county animal control where they only asked if you would figure out a way to get it exercise, if you would feed it, vet it, get it fixed, and if you knew how much it would cost to raise a dog. Likewise, we did not qualify for a “rescue” dog. We love our pound puppy. If I lived in Wild Wonderful WV, I would get all my dogs at the local store parking lot.

    Happy Mother’s day Suzanne and puppy mommy Morgan.

  50. tabbimama says:

    What a cutie pie! You are so lucky to have such a wonderful bunch of love at your farm, Suzanne. Bless you all and especially for sharing it all with us. Thanks

  51. Jodie says:

    I’m going to avoid the rescue debate and just say it’s a CUTE puppy! I love it. I’ve been facebooking and farmville playing too much lately and FORGOT to read this blog and my other favs for over a MONTH. Oh boy now I have to catch up on my Chickens In The Road family! I feel like I’m just a fly on the wall, but a part of the family since I’ve known Suzanne and her family for a few years now via her blog. I’m a huge fan and probably won’t ever have a farm or ranch of my own. I would like to have a B&B too, but probably won’t. I’m comfortable in my suburban 3/2.5 house with 2 SUVs, one adopted stray cat and one adopted shelter mutt and my best husband (2nd marriage) ever! I’m keeping them all. My purebred dog lived for 18 years – Blarney, a Jack Russell Terrier. I would never buy one again, because there are SO many dogs that need a good home. Bravo to your cousin for rescuing a pregnant dog, finding homes for her puppies and being responsible to spay her now. He’s a gem just like you Suzanne!!! I think people have bashed Jane enough, but I know you neuter/spay all the cats and dogs you adopt except big puppy. He’s supposed to sire some champion pups some day hopefully. I would love to have a Great Pyr. but they are a little too big for me. I like to be able to pick up a dog even if my rescue dog at 25 lbs is not lap dog size quite.

  52. Grandmatotwochicks says:

    Happy Mother’s Day Suzanne!

    Morgan is now a mama to her puppy!! he is just so cute!!! looks like our Bobo when he was little. We have four dog’s three rescued, one from a shelter and two dog’s people wanted to get rid of. I think it’s great that all the puppies found a GOOD HOME!!! Maybe Jane should worry more about all the Children in Foster CARE!!! in this country ( NOW THAT’S A PROBLEM ) and who’s caring for them! :pirate:

  53. sasha says:

    What cute puppies, I’m glad to hear mom is getting spayed and I hope all the puppies have found lifetime homes… I am a big advocate for animal shelters, and highly recommend everybody find their next dog at a shelter. I got a dog there about 2 years ago and he’s the best dog I’ve ever had! I hope your readers spay or neuter their pets and try rescuing a dog instead of spending $650 on a glorified mutt like a labradoodle, lol!

  54. Citygirl says:

    I have to side with Jane. Sorry, but the number of animals put down each year speak volumes. 40% die (and that doesn’t include the puppies that die of parvo from the shelters). Perhaps she could have worded her post differently, but it is a big deal.

    I think what Jane was trying to say is that, while the environment at your Wal-Mart may be the same as if you were offering the pups at church to its congregation members, that is just not the case at most Wal-Mart’s. To make it seem like a great event is to fail to recognize that the problem exists, even if we love Suzanne (and we do), it’s still an issue. – everywhere.

    It’s wonderful that he rescued the mama, and that he allowed her to have the pups instead of aborting them in a spay (which happens often), and even better that he found homes himself (because we know they might have died from parvo in the shelter).
    The one thing he didn’t do (as far as we know), that would have eliminated almost all of the debate (I think), is to get the adopters phone number/address and ensure the pups were fixed. A rescue would have required an application and home visit, but that might be too much to ask from someone who is just trying to do the right thing.

    Sorry for all those who don’t qualify for a rescue. Some are stricter than others; most look at the whole picture. FYI, I am in rescue and I foster actively. I don’t have a fence either. And as a rescue I wouldn’t have a problem with off leash walking/hunting if you trained with 100% recall. But on the other end I wouldn’t adopt out to someone who didn’t keep their dogs inside at night or wasn’t present when the dogs were outside in an unfenced yard. That’s my policy (here in Florida), others rescues are different.

    My overall point is, it doesn’t matter that this site is where we come to relax and drool over Suzanne’s posts (when we’re on a diet!) the message to be responsible about our animals should be the same no matter what the content of the site is all about. So yes, I agree that from the point of a rescuer, giving pups away at a Wal-Mart was not the role model thing to do. It really lit my fire and I knew as soon as I read the reply’s I’d see some debate about it.

    Sorry Suzanne that this post became what it did. The puppy is cute as can be.

  55. Wendy says:

    I have to say I’m with Jane. I’m not a radical “rescue person” by any stretch but my stomach dropped when I saw the puppy going off with the teenagers. And by looking at body language in the picture of the family it doesn’t show a excited family getting a puppy. It shows a hesitant father, a wife pleading for the cute puppy and a little boy that doesn’t look like he cares one bit for that puppy. I understand that your cousin rescued them but he would have truly rescued them if he’d taken a bit more care in finding the ones he wasn’t keeping a home that had planned on getting a dog. I think you had to know that this might be a controversial post so it’s not really fair to gang up on Jane.
    Unless you just want comments that agree with you.

  56. Kris says:

    I knew a puppy was coming!! I had a dog named Kasper when I was Morgan’s age, a German Shepard-Mix. He was just the sweetest dog ever.
    Controversy aside, I am glad to see the puppies have found homes. I will remain optomistic that all of the families they have went to are excited, loving and will have happy lives.

  57. Holly says:

    sausage roll on legs!! good for a laugh

  58. JOJO says:

    :woof:
    Thwe is nothing sweeter–in my opinion–than a puppy and puppy breath. I WOULD NEVER TRUST A PERSON WHO DOESNT LIKE ANIMALS!!
    All of our dog people over the last 30 years have been ones that have a problen of sorts and no one cared for–I am always amazed how many “perfect” animals people purchase and then cart off to the pound.
    I am so glad you have a new puppy that we can watch grow up.
    JOJO

  59. JOJO says:

    :happypuppy—Just went back and read all of the earlier posts——-whoa!!!
    Some of them were as ugly as the evening news!
    Where so people find these soap boxes anyways??? Every issue has an ugly side, like a person adopting a child and then sticking it on a plane alone and sending it back to it’s homeland,because the child had issues,it but this is not the norm.—Thank God!
    God bless those out there that take animals with problems and have them taken care of–out last rescue cost us several thousnds of dollars–she was dumped because of them, she is so loved and worth every penny we spent on her–there is always a way to pay for vet care, either through clinics or arangements with your vet, if they wont agree to that–find another vet!
    Well, since I dont have a very steady soap box—nuff said!!!

    :happypuppy: JOJO :happypuppy:

  60. Chic says:

    Awwwww…you’re a good Momma Suzanne. What’s one more critter on the farm right?! Have fun with your little ‘sausage roll’. Maura

  61. Chic says:

    Holy Cow…I just noticed the comment above me and decided to see what Jojo was referring to. I can’t believe that such a sweet inocent post about a puppy could cause such a fuss….this is a BLOG for heaven sakes and a wonderful one at that. We are all entitled to our own opinion but there’s a time and a place for everything and this is a HAPPY PLACE!!!!! Maura :sun:

  62. Leanna says:

    The last picture is just too darn cute. Hope giant puppy enjoys rolly-poley puppy!

  63. albertjames says:

    There is nothing in this world like the smell of a small puppies breath. Sweet and innocent too. :woof: :snoopy: I have a Schnauzer I have had for two years. “GUS” yep thats short for GUSTAV. He is a excellent watchdog. And oh yeah we love him a lot. 😆 😆 😆 :sun: :heart:

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