Meet Donatella~

It was a time of remembrance in the town of Bull Head City Arizona...

My mother, sister, and I were there to mark the one year

anniversary of dad's going on to glory.

Bull Head City is along the Colorado River, a place where dad enjoyed

sitting on his scooter with his two schnauzer's while watching the activity 
taking place with the boats and other water toys that people were enjoying.
 There he and mom would stay

during the last part of their winter months they spent in Arizona.

Dad was not fond of the heat. As Spring arrived in the hot dessert, 
 they would slowly make their way home to Colorado.

There in Bull Head City they would wait out the last spring snow storms
 that would take place in their hometown. 

 Dad was not a stranger to anyone 
and could start a conversation with those who would take the time to visit with him.
It was there at the Colorado River

where the three of us planned a picnic and a time of remembrance in honor

of our greatly missed and beloved dad and husband.

 There she was...dodging traffic on a busy four lane highway!

We were certain  this darling Beagle was going 
to get hit by one, if not more, of those fast moving vehicles
as the three of us watched helplessly from our own car.

As soon as Donatella reached the sidewalk

I jumped out of the back seat of the car

and began running after her.

This darling Beagle, with her nose to the ground, not looking back,
 took me for quite the run in my flip flop sandals, no less!

There was no stopping this girl until she came to a puddle of water,
and there, she rolled over looking for a tummy rub which allowed me to pick her up.
I fell in love with Donatella from the moment I saw her dodging the traffic.
When I went to pick her up she looked right into my eyes
as if to say, "I'm yours".
 Donatella has been submissive to my care over her from that moment on.

We put her in the car and headed right for the pet store for a collar and leash;
 as not to loose this fast running girl.

We called the animal shelter asking if anyone was missing this 

precious Beagle only to hear them say "NO."

In my heart I knew she was going to be mine, a gift sent from God, I believed.

We had to wait out the time that was needed for the owner to claim her,
so during the next two days we looked in neighborhoods
thinking that someone would surely post a "missing dog" photo of her, but nothing.

We never received a call over the next couple of days;

 the shelter thanked us for being so kind in giving her a home
and gave us the okay to keep her.

We packed up and headed for Colorado where Donatella
would make her new home with a family who would love and protect her.

Donatella gets in some hilarious positions while she is sleeping.

Eight days after we arrived home I received a phone call from her previous owner.

Sigh...
Donatella had been adopted out two weeks prior to when I found her
and the new owners had lost her twice in those two weeks. :(
Technically, she belonged to me as we waited out the time for the owners to claim her 
and they did not, but I was willing to give her up should the owner want to come and get her.
I was compliant and willing for her to be with her previous owners
but the situation turned ugly on behalf of the previous owners.
I was contacted by an officer from Bull Head City
and asked to share my side of the story
which led to both the shelter and the officer believing that Donatella was in the best place now.
Through the whole ordeal (and not so pretty at times) the Lord
would remind me of the verse "Be anxious for nothing."
I believed that God had His hand in the gifting of Donatella,
but He was asking me to trust Him throughout the whole situation.
There were times when I was a bit nervous of this previous owner
and even shared my concern  to the officer, yet knowing my God is greater.

My dad's name was Don, therefore, Donatella was named after my dad,
since she was gifted to me the day before dad's one year anniversary
of his going on to glory.
I thought it seemed quite fitting that I should name her after him.
There in Bull Head City God graced my life with a blessing
and a gift that He saw fit to give to me.
Now on my walks in the mountains I have a companion;
a dog with a nose who will alert me should I need to be alerted.
She may not take on a mountain lion or a bear but she can let me know of their presence. 
Whoever owned Donatella before her adoption did a great job of training her;
although, she has some issues that need to be addressed.
She, too, needs to find peace in the verse "Be anxious for nothing",
as she has some separation issues when I leave her.
I have told her that I will never,  ever, leave her and will love her forever.
She's my "sweet baby girl" who has been given a home 
where she will be loved, cared for, and enjoyed.
The two of us are going to "Doggy School" and there she is learning her manners
and becoming quite the lady.

Donatella my little honey pot. 

 Stephanie gifted me with this darling pillow she crafted for the 4th of July
and Donatella tried to claim it and our bed as her own.
Sadly for her, she did not win out. :)

"Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
Sing forth the honor of his name:
make his praise glorious."
Amen.

Joy!
~Debbie~