One year
Twelve days before one year ago today, firefighters carried our dogs out of our burning house into an ice storm.
Ten days before one year ago today, we checked all four dogs into a kennel for a time we had no idea would stretch into months.
Nine days before one year ago today, Clue escaped through an ice-damaged fence and ran down to a major highway, where she was struck by a car going sixty miles an hour. She ran more than a mile down the road before disappearing into the woods.
Eight, seven, and six days before one year ago today, we tracked her for miles through the woods as she made loop after loop looking for a place to hide and be hurt.
Five, four, three, two, and one days before one year ago today, I cried and prayed and despaired over every snowflake that fell from the sky. She was in twenty inches of snow with more falling.
And one year ago today, we got a call that started "Do you believe in Christmas miracles?"
This was the first picture I took of her after I got her back – she is tired, sick, very underweight, with seven pelvic fractures. It was Christmas Eve.
She was so small, in size and energy, that she looked like a puppy as she slept that night with the kids for the first time since the fire.
The next day she slept in the presents as the family celebrated.
A year later, she is sleeping again, her belly full of babies and a smile on her face.
We have built our family around the belief that we love as a reflection of the love that is given to us. We give because we have been given to. Our joy flows from the source of all joy.
A year ago, I got back such a heaping measure of love, joy, and giftedness that my life, our lives, have in many ways been changed forever. So as we gather this year to celebrate the birth of someone who really, really likes dogs, we wish for you the same measure, shaken, sifted, and running over with love.
And happy, happy, HAPPY holidays from the best dog in the world.
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Last year was the greatest holiday miracle. I'm excited about the post-holiday miracle coming up, as the little Clue-lettes are born!
Happy Holidays, Joanna! I was just thinking about how it had been a year since all that had happened in your life last Christmas, and how amazing it was that, a year later, Clue was expecting. What a chapter in your lives!
*Damn, there goes the mascara*
What a difference a year makes, and what a year!! Merry, Merry Christmas to you Joanna, and to your family, both two and four-legged. I can't wait to see what other miracles Clue has in store.
And Merry Christmas to you and yours, Joanna. What a difference a year makes, no? Give all the pack (especially Blue Clue) a Christmas pat for me.
All best wishes for bright blessings on you and yours this Christmas!
*wipes at tears*
Dang that totally made me cry.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I remember reading about your family last year, and then about Clue, and hoping quietly beyond hope that you would get her back safe and sound.
And now I'm still reading, enjoying, and sniffling here into my coffee. It's a good way to start the morning before work, with a joyful note. Merry Christmas to you and your family. :)
I cried too – I remember crying as we all were on edge waiting to hear how Clue was after she was found… Thank God for Christmas miracles.
I cry every time I read her story I checked your blog daily for updates, and was so grateful for your Christmas miracle.
Wow, what an experience and such a happy ending. I have just started following blogs in the last couple months and have found some truly amazing stories. This is one of those that I will not forget anytime soon. Thank you for sharing and Happy Holidays to your special crew. Can't wait to see the pups!
I got teary eyed reading that. :) I am so glad that Miracles do come true. Give Bramble and all the other dogs snuggles for me.
Oh I cried last Christmas Eve and I cried again today. Christmas miracles, over and over. Amazing grace. May joy and love abound for all of you.
merry christmas to you and your family! you certainly deserve it.
God blesses all creatures great and small – and a Christmas miracle has turned into the miracle of life.
Merry Christmas Joanna, to you and yours, both two legged & four.
I am new to your blog, but that story is so heart breaking and uplifting all at the same time. I am glad things worked out with Clue.