Month: July 2016

Ok, by now it’s possible you are beginning to think I am just short of being “the crazy dog lady.”  You know, the one you’ve heard stories about but never actually met in person?  The one who likes dogs just a little more than people and is looking for a shoe to move into?  Oh wait, that’s the cat lady right?  Well, regardless, it should come as no surprise that my animal obsession has followed me into the real estate world.  And why not?  Take a minute to think about your house….is it really yours, or does it somehow belong more to Fido and Mr. Whiskers?  Ever walk into your home to find your cat precariously perched just above your head, ready to pounce (what exactly are they doing up there)?  And how many times have you come home to find your belongings “rearranged” by the dog?  Or wake up in the middle of the night to find them staring at your face with a certain “intensity”…. we may fool ourselves into thinking they want to play, or need to go out, but I have a sneaky suspicion they are up to a little more than we think (and I’m not ruling world domination out at this point).  Ultimately, our pets rule our roosts, and we are really just there to cater to their every whim. (Wait, am I the only one who does this?)

So, back to the subject at hand.  Aside from paying a portion of my commission to rescue organizations as my way of giving back, I’ve also begun to look at other ways I may be able to support the four-legged friends who bless our families and our homes with laughter and love.  In all honesty, I am stumbling on this accidentally.  I’ve been asked several times to make sure to pay attention to “x” or to make sure the property has “y”, because it’s an old dog, or because they work long hours and it’s important that their pet be safe.  And it comes naturally for me to do it because I am geared to think that way anyway (yep, the crazy dog lady thing keeps popping up, doesn’t it?).

When I think about it, those of us who are animal lovers go nuts when it comes time to move making sure our pets are safe and comfortable through the process and once we land in our new space.  Then there are those of you who aren’t animal people, but who have had the lucky fortune of knowing plenty of us who are, and also know exactly what I am talking about.  You know, the people who have had to leave dinner early because their dog wasn’t acting right and they were worried, or who had to cancel plans last-minute and miss the party because their cat ate too much catnip.  Or possibly, the person who stayed home from a weekend getaway to Winter Park because her sweet little girl somehow got into something bad and ended up having surgery, and she needed to be there to eagle eye her while she recovers (I will neither confirm nor deny this is the very reason I am writing this blog at 9pm on a Saturday night).

Truly, I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I understand why people are concerned about their pets during a move and I understand the stress that it places on all family members; those with 2 legs and those with 4.  I appreciate those of us who worry that there isn’t enough light in the house during the day, while our pet is home alone, or that the yard isn’t safe enough for them to be out while we are away.  And I’m not saying these are the only reasons a person may choose to purchase a home or walk away from it, but I do understand that they come into play and I will promise you this – you never need to be embarrassed of making crazy pet requests of me (because I probably sit at the front of the line here anyway).  And I also promise that I will help you in whatever other important things you need – finding a dog sitter while you make the move, or necessary specialists in your area after you are settled.

And let’s be honest, as the crazy dog lady (time to own it I guess),  I am the first to admit that I have gone above and beyond for my pooches…..raise your hand if you had a fence put around your front yard so your rescue dog and her sidekick could have more room to romp? (Thank goodness I was dating the fence guy at the time!).  Yes, I did that….. and I only became aware after the fact of the added bonus that I, too, was able to enjoy the front porch with a glass of wine more often, and that I happened to doubled my living space (always good for resale value).  Apparently, the apple doesn’t fall far from our familial tree either; my sister joined suite not long ago, after moving into her new place.  A home just isn’t home unless Mr. Miles is sitting on the front porch, basking in the sunshine.

So, somehow, every part of what makes me, me, is finding its way into my working life and I’ve decided to be okay with that.  I am officially coming out of the proverbial closet tonight, as I look at my sleeping, injured pup, to admit that I am an animal loving, home selling, real estate agent who will do everything I can to make sure that you are nothing less than 100% satisfied with your new home, and that everything that is important to you, is important to me as well, be that chickens, or dogs, or sea monkeys (hey, you never know).  I say this on the heels of a conversation I had with a business mentor of mine.  As we talked about our passions and how that tends to drive us in our businesses, he said to me: “You can’t find your tribe if you aren’t your authentic self; don’t you want to find your tribe?”  As it turns out, I do…… and this just may be a first step….

Until next time….

And for the love of Sally (aka Sal’s, Salzie’s, Salzers)… Have you ever looked into the eyes of an animal and known that somehow they just “get you”?  That they see who you are right down to your soul?  That they know you have some crazy in you (my crazy is dance, dance revolution….Thank God dogs can’t talk or there’d be a real story there!) and they can’t wait to jump into the crazy with you?

That’s how it was when I saw little Sal’s for the first time.  Bella (my goof ball wire haired dachshund) and I had been a dynamic duo for quite awhile, but when I saw Sally, I immediately knew two would soon become three.  But this isn’t your average “healthy, sweet dog” meets “I need another” girl.  I saw Salzie’s for the first time on a rescue website (Denver Dachshund Rescue and Transport, to be exact).  She was tiny, and fragile, and beautiful.  A red, long haired dachshund with imploring eyes and a quiet sense about her.  She’d recently been rescued from a hoarder/breeder situation that was uglier than I have words to describe.  But she was free and under the watchful care of an amazing group of people.  Sal’s came to them pregnant, malnourished, and afraid.  Without going into all the horrid details of the situation, I will tell you that she became very ill, lost all of her pups and almost her own life in the process.  But sweet Sally is a hell of a fighter and she wasn’t about to give up on this life.  So she recovered as best she could and eventually came home with Bells and I.  The dynamic duo was now the tenacious trio.  We walked, we ran, we ate hamburgers (of course we did… my dogs are my tribe and they eat what I eat…although not vice versa, I’m not one for hard kibble).

Oh, how I loved that dog.  If love alone would have been enough, that little girl would have lived forever.  My heart still breaks to think of what she went through and how a mere 8 months with us was so much less than she deserved.  But I have a feeling she wouldn’t feel the same way – dogs are funny like that.  Their ability to forgive and move forward without resentment or hesitation is astounding to me – something I think we humans could take lesson from.  To her, those 8 months of runs and walks, treats and toys, the sun on her back and grass beneath her feet were pure joy, and so they must be to me as well, in honor of her and in honor of those who haven’t yet had the chance.

Sadly, Sally was never able to fully recover from the abuse she experienced at the hands of others.  How someone can take the gift of unconditional love and turn their hand against it, is beyond me.  And it’s not something I have the strength to see and hear and feel every day, as is required in rescue, so I do what I can to help those who do it for me; who love more than most, and who have committed their lives to rescue, and changing the story others have cruelly begun to write. What mad respect I have for these people and how unbelievably hard it must be for them.  And I realize that even though my part will never be enough, it is something – it is awareness where there might not have been, support where it may once have hidden, and love that heals the broken.  It’s not enough to only provide a portion of my commissions, to donate collars and toys and food…..and yet it’s a start.  And a start is still something….

When the time came and Sally’s little body couldn’t fight anymore, I did the unthinkable; I said goodbye, and let her go (well, sort of….the vet hospital was unbelievably kind, but even they had to gently “suggest” it was time to leave after what was quickly approaching qualifying world record time in “room number1”).  And I knew from that moment on I would do what I could to help the people who saved her and who gave me the opportunity to show her what love was.  To give her a sister, and a sense of belonging, even if only for a short while.

It’s not the typical thing to do, but when I made the jump into real estate, it was obvious to me; I would give a portion of what I earned back to rescue organizations, especially Denver Dachshund Rescue and Transport.  It hasn’t been a windfall to date, but my time is coming….watch out doxie nation, it won’t be long before your collars are covered in bling and you have more treats and toys than eye can see!).  It’s the right thing to do.  It’s healing for me.  It may save another Sally.

And so now comes the time to shamelessly plug the donation/adoption event that is fast approaching, and that I will plan to hold every year (hey, what’s the point of my own blog if I can’t shamelessly plug?).  The event is Dachshunds and Dogs (because who can resist a hot dog when amongst hot dogs).  This year’s event will be held on July 31st at McNichols Park, off of Syracuse and 17th Streets, and will run from Noon to 3pm.  The rescue is always in need of paper towels and cleaning supplies, as well as dog beds, dog toys, dog food and who doesn’t love treats?  As well, the wiener crew will be there to give kisses and laughs…and will be available for adoption.  It doesn’t get any better than that!

Salzie’s comes to me in my dreams sometimes, and she is healthy and happy and whole.  Her coat shines, and she smiles at me.  I think it’s her way of telling me that she’ll be waiting for me and Bells at the rainbow bridge, and when it’s time, she’ll greet us and take us home.  How does one human get so lucky??

Until next time…..