Thursday, August 29, 2019

Sparrow!


Sparrow reading books at the library with her best dog friend, a Saint Bernard.



Hi.
I’m Lisa. I love theme park rides, the night sky, and lurking.

At two AM on a frozen January morning, my husband helped me (and my incredibly round belly) into our SUV, buckled our sleeping two-year-old daughter, Sarah, in the back, and headed to grandma’s house to drop her off. On the way, in-between contractions, my husband and I couldn’t help but talk about the baby who would soon join our family, maybe a boy this time? Well, our little Sarah had a better idea, and from the backseat shadows came her brightest voice, “How ‘bout a puppy?”


We should have known then that Sarah would have a special love for dogs. It took quite a few more years for her to break us down and add a puppy to our family, and when we did, Sarah transformed. Our shy, junior high daughter joined 4-H, made wonderful friends, and soon became bold enough to become the president of the club. She excelled at showing Sparrow (a female Australian Shepherd named after the pirate) in conformation, obedience, agility, and every other activity you could do with a dog.


Sparrow is now eleven years old and mostly retired from shows. After spending a lifetime being hugged by children at fairs (Sparrow loved every second) Sarah found the perfect activity for such a loving, older-but-still-adventurous dog. Sarah and Sparrow trained and achieved all the certifications needed to join “Read to a Dog.” Sarah now takes Sparrow to the library so kids having trouble reading out loud can practice by reading to a well-trained dog.


And where do you think Sarah works? Not surprising us at all, Sarah found a pet company that allows every employee to bring a pet to work everyday (many people bring their cats). On the rare occasion when Sparrow can’t go with Sarah, Sparrow mopes by the front door all day long, waiting for the girl who had waited years and years for her parents to get a puppy.

Sparrow listening to a little girl read at the library.

Sparrow asleep on my daughter’s desk at work.

18 comments:

Sharyn Ekbergh said...

If I ever get a dog it will be so I can start a read to a dog program here. Hmmm.

Ramona says no dogs though. Maybe a very small one?

E.M. Goldsmith said...

I love Aussies. They are amazing dogs, so clever. I love the story of Sparrow. What an amazing dog. My daughter was raised with an Aussie as well. Such a great story.

AJ Blythe said...

If it wasn't for the fact I now mostly work from home I'd be so jealous of Sarah's workplace.

That's one very loved pooch (as all fur-children should be).

Jennifer R. Donohue said...

I LOVE read to dog programs! We have one at my library in the summers, and it shocks me just how low the attendance for it is. Of course, it means that I get to have some dog time when I'm away from home....

Sparrow looks (and sounds) like a great dog. I'm so glad you finally got your daughter a puppy! ;)

Lennon Faris said...

Oh my gosh this just made my morning. Sparrow, you are one happy pup!

Megan V said...

This is just too much. Lisa thank you for sharing. It made my morning! Sparrow is such an amazing pup.

nightsmusic said...

This is just the sweetest story. And how wonderful that the waiting brough the perfect dog to you all.

Claire Bobrow said...

I love this post so much my heart feels like a basket full of warm puppies and picture books. Thank you so much for sharing. Go Sparrow and Sarah!

Adele said...

Oh gosh I love Sparrow's whole life! What a great employer Sarah is with (or is it the other way around, and they're with Sarah because they let pets come to work). I have never heard of "read to a dog" but what a lovely concept.

Beth Carpenter said...

Sparrow is an inspiration, and so is Sarah.

Theresa said...

Of all these great pet stories, Sparrow's is the greatest.

Barbara Etlin said...

I love this story! Happiness is a warm puppy...and an employer that lets you bring your pet to work.

KDJames said...

What a wonderful, touching story. I love it and the pics. It's not often someone finds their passion so early in life and then manages to also make it their work. Thank you for sharing this, Lisa (and welcome!). I have to ask, though . . . was it a brother or sister for Sarah?

LynnRodz said...

I love the photos and story! Thank you for sharing.

Craig F said...

Your Aussie is gorgeous.

The pics make me miss dogs. Had to take a break from them because the last two were inherited. Maybe an Aussie is in my future, if a mutt like the Cisco Kid, a former dog of mine, doesn't adopt me again.

Back to plans on which hatches to batten down tomorrow. This slow motion nightmare seems to have painted a bull's eye on my back.

Claire Bobrow said...

Yikes, Craig. I'm crossing my fingers the storm misses you (and everyone else) completely. Stay safe out there!

JulieWeathers said...

I love this story so much. Sparrow and Sarah are definitely two very special beings. Aussies are the best dogs around. The best.

I'm so glad you shared this story.

Gingermollymarilyn said...

Completely adorable. Completely adorable.