Life With Leuca: Adopting The Bulldogge

(Getting Acquainted)

...determined to get this bully.

"Hello. This is Filipina. Our friend referred us to contact you about a puppy. We were wondering if we can drive up to see her this Sunday and ask you more about it. Would this work for you?" I left a message on the breeder's voicemail.

The breeder called me back and had so much information about the litters. The puppy in the picture that we wanted with a fawn mask and white body is a female. So there it goes. Gunny... Marine... Mr. Jiggs.... very masculine names that my husband wanted were out the window. There must be a reason for all this, which not much later we found out.

At this time, the heart took over.

I was so excited as if I was about to win a prize. We found out that our breeder were breeding this the Olde English Bulldog for a good cause, which is to continue a legacy for their late daughter who did not give up in battling a rare cancer, Neuroblastoma, while loving life with her bullies. The entire family love bulldogs. In fact they have 6 of them, each member has one to call his/her own. I am so happy as I check off my list of How to Find a Good Dog Breeder from the Human Society website that I kept handy.

It was the last Sunday of November, the 29th, less than 4 weeks before Christmas. Vince took on a second job for the holiday season. He was not about to give up Christmas, his favorite time of the year, just because funds are a bit tight this year. He really wanted a dog and I didn't want him to miss out. I could have live without any gifts as long as my family is together, happy and well fed for the holidays. After a few discussions, we decided that the puppy will be our Christmas present for each other. We were thrilled and we felt right about it.

Without wasting time, we took the a 2-hour drive from Sayreville, New Jersey to Derby, Connecticut to see "the pup" and get acquainted that Sunday right after Vince got home from work, about 7 a.m.

In Derby, we were welcomed with open arms by the breeder's family and introduced us to the pack. They have 6 dogs, 4 purebred Olde English Bulldogges (OEB) and 2 modern English Bulldogs. There were 4 purebred OEB litters, 3 females and 1 male: a white female with a fawn spot on her tail (Amanda called her NomNom since she loved to eat), a white female with fawn mask and tail (our number one pick, Leuca), a small white male with brindle markings and the smallest white female with brindle markings. They are a great combination of their mom and dad. Their mom, Mona is a purebred OEB, white with brindle markings. She has great hips and can jump a baby gate without moving back to see her pups. Their dad, Odysseus, also a purebred OEB is all white and can jump very high on command. Their grandma Tatula (Mona's mom), is also a purebred OEB, mostly brindle and a little white. She has the calmest energy. We were happy to see that Mona has the same disposition and we were sure that Leuca would be too.

The chemistry with Leuca was almost immediate. It helped that her siblings and her mom liked us too (or in Cesar Millan's language, matched out energy) and that the breeders were very accommodating and answered our questions. NomNom was the first to approach. She went directly to Amanda to play and cuddle. Leuca got up and walked towards us. Vince picked her up while I observed and talked to Sheryl. I was amazed that my Type A personality signed off completely. I felt like a different person, so calmed and just so into the moment. I have never handled dogs before let alone be in the midst of a pack of dogs. It was the defining moment for me. It was also the first for my daughter. She was a natural handler. My husband had a pitbull named Rocky but he had to give up him when he moved.

The breeders encouraged us to visit when we can. We went to see Leuca one more time on December 6th before taking her home on the 19th. The best part is that their dogs were very sociable. They were trained to respect each other and were very good with the kids as well.

(A visit with Leuca and her siblings)