External guilt, northward bound.

"Sometimes, opportunity knocks." Maggie just said this, and it's very true.

My friend wrote me a wonderful note about the dogs he's had over the years. He currently has a tremendous pup that volunteers with him at a local hospital, doing "pet therapy." Patients get to hang with this wonderful dog, and it makes them feel better. At the end of the letter, he said "I look forward to meeting Carter's successor, but not replacement."

Thinking about Carter over the weekend, I decided to look up his breed, the Flat-Coated Retriever (he was either a purebred or a dominant mix). I put myself on the "rescue" list, and shot some emails off to the Flat-Coat Society about local breeder resources. They got back to me fifteen minutes ago and said "Flat-Coat rescues are extremely rare, but there's a breeder about a hundred miles north of you. They have a puppy for you, if you want one."

My first thought was: "Man, that's quick." Carter was sick for 4.5 months, but he only passed on Friday. But then I realized that this thought was driven by what I felt OTHERS would think. Not by reality. I love Carter SO much, and always will. Acting on an opportunity like this is separate from Carter. I openly admit that I want a dog to love, no matter how goofy that makes me sound. (And I do love our other dog, but Georgette isn't really my type of dog. I like her, but as part of the pack, as opposed to a super-personal connection.)

Maggie said that she felt we were honoring Carter by looking at another dog in his breed. I disagree. I think they are completely separate. I'll honor Carter by trying to be more patient. That's the lesson he taught me. If I get this puppy, well... the Adventure Continues.

Love to all.