‘LET US DO THIS! Let us give Anthony a furry companion. His emotional shock will not disappear, but a new friend can replace his pain with love. It is unlike that strangers come together to surprise their adoptive boy with a ‘furry friend.’
This story was submitted by Peter M. and you can read the story here.
Haley, a trauma survivor coping with PTSD, finds comfort in Dixie. Though not officially trained as an emotional support or service animal, Dixie naturally assumes that role in Haley’s life. Recognizing when to play and when to offer comfort, Dixie possesses a natural skill for dispersing fear and replacing it with love. This unique bond has made Haley reluctant to make any alterations in her life.
Courtesy of Peter M.
It would not be long before she understood why.
Dixie had firmly joined the family when Ryder, Haley’s husband, opted to introduce a companion for Dixie. Enter Hank, the affectionate Doodle pup, a blend of Irish Setter and Doodle. With his glossy red coat and gentle nature, Hank quickly became the family’s playful character due to his Irish Setter heritage. He also endeared himself to Dixie, leading to the decision to breed the two. They are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their puppies, which could be any day now.
In another part of the country, a young man who faced a challenging beginning is building a fresh start with his new adoptive father. Enduring the foster care system from age two, Anthony found a family at four. He was abandoned at a hospital by his adoptive family at eleven without any explanation.
Fortunately, a permanent father entered Anthony’s life shortly after, assuring him that he would never experience loneliness again. Regardless of the circumstances, their bond remains unbreakable; they are a duo, united as a family.
Peter Mutabazi, Anthony’s newfound father, came from a very difficult childhood in Africa. From his experiences of suffering, he grew a desire to provide solace and parental care to needy children. Peter has observed the ongoing struggle lessening from Anthony’s past trauma because of the love, stable family, and fatherly support that Anthony now has. Recognizing that the memories of such experiences cannot be erased, Peter hopes that healing can gradually occur with time and strong support toward recovery.
Enter Dixie, Hank, and their soon-to-be puppers.
Brought together by a chance encounter on Instagram through a shared interest in skiing, Peter and Tracey were surprised to discover that their connection extended beyond skiing. They both shared a passion for fostering. Was it a mere coincidence? Perhaps not.
As their conversations deepened, Peter sensed something was missing from their family, particularly from Anthony—a furry companion. At the same time, Tracey is also a dedicated rescuer of wayward and needy animals. In a heartbeat, she committed to the task of finding the ideal pet for Anthony, Peter, and their family. Tracey, among her many qualities, is definitely determined.
After several weeks of tireless efforts and feeling a bit discouraged while settling into bed one night, Tracey decided to check her social media one last time before calling it a night.
A surprise awaited her on Facebook:
An invitation to like a Facebook Page from Ryder Cochran made a transformation.
The requested link was clicked by Tracey. But she had no idea the pair had created a page in preparation for their new babies, and what she saw when she did make her very curious. Clicking the link sent by a distant friend, Tracey discovered that Ryder Cochran had invited her to like a dog page. The context was not entirely surprising.
In their exclusive social media friendship, Ryder, his wife Haley, and Tracey frequently exchanged pictures, videos, and links containing a collection of animals, from mini donkeys to chickens and baby goats. Despite Ryder’s attempts to resist, a zoo of rescues slowly influenced his home, arranged by Tracey and Haley.
As Tracey explored the newly discovered page, she was initially curious. However, seeing what opened before her, she was absolutely stunned. The page hinted at the impending arrival of a new litter from Dixie and Hank, and Tracey found herself fascinated by the unexpected surprise.
Despite the late hour, Tracey could not hold her curiosity and messaged Haley and Ryder immediately to inquire about the mysterious dog page. “Why do you want me to like a page for some dogs in North Texas?” The response was swift and surprising: “That is our page. We have a litter of double doodle puppies.”
Stunned, Tracey found herself frozen. Her initial reaction was disbelief, asking, “Is this a joke? Are you kidding?” However, to her amazement, it was no joke. Ryder and Haley were genuinely expecting puppies that perfectly met all the criteria for an ideal fit for Anthony: non-shedding, medium to large, and mild-tempered dogs.
Tracy knows the answer to the request. Therefore, the answer was already a resounding yes. While it felt a bit impressive, she could not help but share Peter and Anthony’s story with Ryder and Haley. Without a moment’s hesitation, the response in her message box decayed their wholehearted agreement: “LET US DO THIS! Let us give Anthony a dog!”
Courtesy of Peter M.
Tears of joy flowed freely on both ends of the conversation. In that moment, everyone recognized the profound significance of this unfolding story. The shared friendship, Dixie’s characteristic gift, Hank, and the upcoming litter of pups all supported a young boy’s healing journey. The various elements converged to interrupt his pain and replace it with love, highlighting the blossoming connection between Tracey and Peter.
Now, a period of anticipation begins. The responsibility lies on Dixie’s furry shoulders, and everyone is confident that she’s up to the task. Soon, the surprise will be unveiled to Anthony, who is currently unaware of the abundance of love being arranged for him. So, for now, it’s a collective “shhhhhhhhh” as we wait, in hopeful anticipation, for Dixie to present her special gift to Anthony.
Courtesy of Peter M.