Melinda's Story of adopting Taz

When I first adopted my Taz, I committed myself to sharing our adoption story as often as I could in hopes to help others to believe that it's truly possible to open your heart up to love another pet as deeply as the beloved pet that passed. I also wanted to promote adoptions from a shelter; which I personally never experienced before.

​Then there was another part of our story...the horrifying dog attack that Taz and I were both injured and Taz barely survived. By sharing our journey I am so very pleased that I have received messages from 372 individuals sharing that they just adopted their new little one from their local shelter. Tazzy's and my story has also managed to raise close to $5000 to assist in saving a beloved pup after she was mauled by a neighbor's dog. THIS is one of my greatest joys from sharing our story!

Ok. So here is Tazzy's Adoption Story...

​On the morning of August 5, 2020, I received a call from Humane Society for Hamilton County telling me they have a little guy (whom they named Bruno Mars) that was brought in as a stray and has just completed the mandatory hold that allows the time and opportunity for his previous family to claim him. He was not claimed and he was then open for adoption and I was asked if I wanted to come right away and meet him.

Due to my grief in the recent passing of my 14 year old Peekapoo, Bailey, I firmly believed I was not yet ready...or possibly even capable, of loving another dog so deeply. I made the decision to meet him, then respectfully say "No thank you". In order to get to the open yard to meet him, I had to walk down the corridor of the cages where the dogs are kept. I didn't have the courage to dare look up and give any of the pleading pups my eye contact. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a white tiny thing peep out from under his little bed that he was hiding under. I then whispered to the volunteer who was leading me to the yard, "Is that him?"...and it was. As I was waiting for him to be brought out to the yard, I kept repeating to myself that I'm not ready...I'm not ready...I'M NOT READY! The VERY instant the volunteer came around the corner with him, I INSTANTLY started crying.

When he was first placed in my arms, he curled up and buried himself under my chin. Then...he gave me the Chihuahua signature move of giving me lots and lots and LOTS of insanely fast and furious licks and kisses! Which immediately made the volunteer cry, and me cry even harder. Taz immediately showed his gratitude when I placed him in his new little bed (that the Humane Society generously gave him) by rolling around in it and making those happy snorts. The instant I put him down so he could explore his new home, he darted towards the coffee table and plopped under it with the cutest, happy smile.

All during his first day, he dragged everything he could find and physically drag under his new home....including my king size comforter. Tazzy and I had to relearn our ways of doing things in order for a trusting connection to happen. I had to drop any and ALL expectations for Taz to be ANYTHING like my Bailey...and Taz had to do the very same for me. It took us a good week to do this; which is an EXCEPTIONALLY short amount of time!!!...and we are still learning about each other every single day.

I want to end this story by honoring my sweet, sweet Bailey Boo. He TAUGHT me about the beauty of a true and real connection...built and maintained by NOTHING but LOVE. For this, I'm eternally grateful to him; thus able to keep my heart open for my Tazzy.

My Bailey who passed in 2020. ❤️

You can find Melinda K Luttrell here - https://www.facebook.com/melinda.rogersluttrell