Dear Bridge to Home,

A few years ago I lost my sister Crosby right before Thanksgiving. I wrote Santa a letter and asked Santa to bring me a new sibling for Christmas. Apparently Santa’s mail was lost in the ice at the North Pole, but by the following summer, he definitely made sure Mom and Dad answered my letter. They found me another “puppy”! I didn’t know I had more mom-dog life in me, but the puppy they introduced required me to be loving, patient, kind and a bit of a bully to put this puppy in line. I want to thank you Bridge to Home for making my Christmas wish come true not once but twice. You gave me my mom and dad during the pandemic just after I had a full round of puppies. They welcomed me and my big hound bark into their neighborhood and introduced me to my senior sister Crosby. We road tripped, went out to dinner, ate real fresh food–instead of kibble and snuggled on the couch. I miss taking walks on the beach with Crosby but I realize she took notes from all the humans who go to Florida to die. Watching the Penguins games will never be the same without her.

It’s been over a year and a half since mom and dad introduced me to this fluffy baby Pyr/Golden mix at the meet and greet. He’s really grown since then. He also has started to be less puppy and more awesome dude over that time. I need to admit that puppy named Crawford that gave me a new dog purpose. I play now. I play a lot now. I play hard too. I’m still mama dogging him, but he has taught me how to antler and the difference between deer and elk. Mom knows the price difference between them. He has also tauht me how to be stupid– how to cry wolf– how to get into garbage– and how to compete for belly rubs even though I’m the master at cleaning dad’s glasses. I’m still glad he sleeps in his own room, so I can curl up between mom and dad.

Thank you Bridge to Home for giving me this life.

Love,

Phoebe