If you are of a certain age,
you may recall the sixties sitcom - Family Affair.
Three orphaned children sent to live with their bachelor uncle and his Butler,
Mr. French.
Our storyline may be somewhat different
- unlike the show's version, our Mr. French is truly French!
But it's the concept of newly formed families that gave us the idea for his name.
With hopeful hearts, we're determined to be the newly
formed family that will bring the 'Joie de Vivre' back to our newest family member.
His rescue story may begin in a very sad way, but if anything can change that
for the better --- it's FAMILY.
It was
only 4 days ago that we set eyes on this picture and immediately, the spell was cast.
But it was his story that really did us in.
Not long ago, Mr. French was surrendered to a shelter in Quebec at 15 years old.
His owner had died
and it was his owner's mother that brought him to the shelter.
We may not understand how or why this family could make such a decision but it doesn't do this sweet
little boy any good dwelling over it.
Instead, we're going to focus on forming a new family for Mr. French.
The family miracle was set in motion the moment our friends at Sit With Me Rescue
reached out to us with his picture.
Since then, Mr. French's new family has grown to include Critter Cabs Animal Rescue Transport that
was only too happy to include Mr. French in their next transport from Quebec this Saturday! On that day, Mr. French and I
will meet for the very first time at a Tim Horton's parking lot just off the highway in Kingston.
Together, we'll drive to a magical destination just a stone's throw away, and
get acquainted with more new family members at Sheba's Haven. Apparently, Mr. French likes car rides so he
should enjoy his little road trip with me while I talk his ear off in English even if he doesn't understand a single word
I say.
We've got paws crossed he'll like
all his new housemates at the Haven. We know how overwhelming it can be for a freshly rescued beagle to suddenly join such
a large family. But our extended family at Sheba's Haven has a knack for this, rest assured. Both the critters and their caregivers
share the same motto --- Live in the Moment and Live LARGE! From frolicking about the lush country property together
on a blue sky afternoon to cuddling up on the couch with Uncle Bill at night - this is One Fine Family.
Once the fur has settled, Mr. French will take another car ride straight to the
vet. There are concerns, naturally. Mr. French is 15 years old after all. One eye appears to be larger than the other for
starters. We'll want to check eye pressure, etc. And his paws are quite swollen and sensitive to the touch. And Lord only
knows what more we'll uncover when we run a Senior Wellness Profile.
As always, we're challenged with costly medical adventures with these beagles we keep adding to our
family. But what can we say? Family is family. You don't turn your back on family. No matter how long they've been a part
of it. The minute they walk through our door and into our hearts, we put aside all our worries and simply Welcome them HOME.
It's what we've been doing for over 20 years now. Through thick and thin, good times and bad. Even through pandemics.
Because hey…it's a Family Affair!
