I begin this post with a disclamer. I do not, nor ever have, been employed by the supermarket chain Winn Dixie, nor did I write the book Because of Winn Dixie, although it’s a great dog story. That honor belongs to the incredible children’s author Kate DiCamillo.
I am, however, the loving dog mom to a puppy I acquired on the property of of a Winn Dixie.
This past week was emotionally charged. Tuesday, the home I’d acquired with my husband in 2020 was officially listed for sale. The following day, I celebrated Rich’s birthday, the fifth since he’s passed. I also realized, that it was as far as I can calculate, our most recent rescue dog’s first birthday milestone.
Her name is Winnie, because early last April, during a quick stop at our local Winn Dixie to pick up dinner, I made the acquaintance of a woman sitting outside the entrance of the store. She cradled a tiny puppy in her arms.
I was in a rush because I wanted to get home. It was the tail-end of March Madness, and of course, me being a UCONN Grad, I’m also a rabid UCONN Husky fan. On this particular occasion, the Lady Huskies were facing a challenging team and I was rushing home to watch.
Despite my desire to rush into the store, grab and go with what I was there for, I stopped to inquire about that adorable pup.
“She’s for sale,” the woman said to me.
“Wait. You’re selling dog in a supermarket parking lot?” I said with a laugh.
As I spoke groups of people would stop and comment on the cuteness of that sweet pup.
She proceeded to tell me she was a widow and needed money to fix her mobile home that she claimed was “falling apart.”
While she spoke to me, she appeared to know people who passed us. One woman smiled and said to me, “Her dogs are very nice.”
Dogs?
The dogist in me detected either a hoarder, or backyard breeder and based on additional conversations, I wasn’t totally convinced of her “back story.”
“She’s a rottweiler,” the woman said, offering me breed information to help me decide if I wanted to buy.
Although the puppy had rotti coloration and markings, I saw other indications that this pup was of mixed heritage.
She disclosed her “asking price” and I went into the store to proceed with my shopping.
Much transpired between that discussion and what ultimately found me driving home with groceries and that pup in my car. I know some may disapprove as it can be surmised I aided and abetted a bad backyard breeder, but my intuition told me this pup was not in a safe situation and needed help. Because I detail what happened that day in a book I hope to have out later this year, I’ll leave it at that for now.
With the little information I was able to obtain from the seller, I calculated that Winnie’s birthday occured right around the time of Rich’s. So I’ve chosen that time to celebrate her birthweek.
When I acquired her, Winnie weighed only five pounds and was flea-ridden with a tattered pink collar. Her tail had been cropped, I think to make her look more like a rottweiler, but now, nearly full-grown, she is only 45 lbs and her ability to yodel, and her profile, tell me she’s got some hound in her. She is super smart, alert, loving and has the sweetest temperament. She is also self-directed and independent (also known as stubborn).
Right from the start she had no fear of being around big dogs. I believe she was used to that already. She immediately bonded with my 80 lb dog, Jackson. Despite the differences in their size and coloration, I believe they do share some breed similarities and maybe because they were both locally born to challenging situations, they are now inseperable.
Sometimes I call her Winn-Winn, because of the ad campaign of the store chain that used to proclaim shopping there was a “Winn-Winn Situation”. I’m just relieved she wasn’t a BOGO (Buy One Get One Free)!
I know those inside my dog-writing circle, and dog-loving friends understand the “benefits” of having four dogs, and I know some of my widowed readers can attest that there is healing power in those paws. Caring for my pack takes a lot of energy and patience, but they ground me and keep me focused on the present. Dogs truly live in the moment.
There’s also something beneficial in watching a literal Under Dog, grow to be strong and healthy despite a “ruff” start. Being part of her transformation has become part of mine.
Wild Winnie. Wily Winnie. Wistful Winnie. Willful Winnie. Wonderful Winnie. That dog is a non-stop party in a furry package. I’ve often written that the dog we need in the moment always seems to find us in the most unexpected way. Winnie reminds me to be bold and enjoy the here and now.
It truly is a Win-Win situation for all.
