AboveBoard Love Stories is a series that celebrates love in all its different forms. Love drives what we do. Why get life insurance? Why engage in financial planning? It may be a few “layers of ‘why’” below the surface, but it comes down to love. We all want to live our best lives with the ones we love.
I love dogs. But having a dog in New York City frankly felt a bit daunting. Would a dog in NYC end up feeling like just another source of “mental load?” Would my kids’ stated desire to have a dog outlast actually getting a dog?
After spending most of the pandemic living with my parents and their sweet German Shepherd rescue dog, the idea of moving back to our NYC apartment without a dog started to feel oddly empty—like someone would be missing.
Enter Lucy.
We first found Lucy (already her name) online. Willingness to play dress-up was never a requirement, but the fact Lucy was receptive was only positive for my 5-year-old and 8-year-old.
Love at first sight: our first glimpse of Lucy
We visited Lucy at LaMancha Animal Rescue (my parents and our friends have adopted dogs there also), and we knew Lucy would be coming home with us.
Everyone is excited to bring Lucy home!
Not only did my kids’ enthusiasm for getting a dog persist, I also saw their capacity for love expand to envelop Lucy and welcome her into our family.
Lucy always has comfortable places to rest.
"Can she cuddle with me?" (Of course.)
We later learned (after connecting with Lucy’s rescuer) that Lucy had survived severe mistreatment—she had been shot with beebee guns and beaten. Her rescuer had obtained emergency medical care to ensure Lucy survived.
We felt even more in awe of Lucy’s loving, patient disposition and so grateful for the kindness and bravery of her rescuer.
After learning of Lucy’s difficult past, the kids take steps to help her feel extra secure—sometimes that calls for a sunshine pillow.
Ah, nap time: the kids make sure Lucy feels comfy & cozy
My son, who was not always game to take my parents’ dog for a walk, became a highly committed caretaker. My heart swelled when he told me, “now that Lucy is my dog, I feel like I want to make her happy.”
He loves taking selfies with her.
Selfie time: Lucy and my son
Lucy adds so much love and joy to our family. We could not be more grateful.