Newly Weds get the gift of an Old Married Couple
Thursday, August 15, 2013
By: Nate and Liz Elwood

Two great, incredible dogs that we were lucky enough to find, and our family couldn't be happier!

My husband and I recently got married a few months ago. We decided at the time to not have a big wedding or reception, because we were in the process of buying a new house. A few weeks ago we closed on our home and settled into our new place, along with our 5 and 7 year old boys and our other two furry friends, our 2 cats.
Last Sunday, on August 11th, it would have been my dad's 53rd birthday. He unfortunately passed away 8 and half years ago. He was a huge animal lover and loved all of our family pets we had growing up, even right up until the end when he was very sick.
While my husband was at work, I decided to visit the Humane Society with our kids just to look, initially. We first looked at the cats, and on a whim decided to look at the dogs. My boys and I walked through the kennels and saw a few that we liked, but when we saw Baron and Pepper, something clicked and I knew we had to meet them.
When we got to the room, our counselor began to tell the story of these 2 great animals, about how they haven't had a steady home for quite a while. They had been adopted but shortly after they were surrendered to a different Humane Society, where luckily one of the NHS Staff was volunteering at and had them transferred. I fell in love with both dogs, and I felt they were a perfect match. As sad as my dad's birthday makes me some years, I believe this was him showing me not to be sad, and to make his birthday something incredibly positive to celebrate in the years to come.
I wanted to talk it over with my husband before adopting both dogs, because I know how dogs are such a great responsibility, and since I grew up with pets always, I knew I was ready for it. However, he had never had pets growing up due to allergies, and our cats were the first ones he'd ever had. Cats and dogs are different to take care of, of like night and day. I wanted him to meet the dogs before we decided to adopt. I was secretly hoping and praying every night since Sunday that OH PLEASE! Let us get these wonderful animals!
Today was his first day off to get a chance to see them, and I could tell he was cautious about making a decision about becoming dog owners or not.
We sat down with our counselor today, and the minute they brought in Baron and Pepper, I saw him fall under their spell and they captured his heart as well. I was so excited when we both agreed to take these pups home! Baron is just the sweetest lover, he already took to the kids room, put his toys (along with Pepper's new bone too) in there to be ready to play with them. Pepper is playful and wants to guard over Baron (and she is a little bossy while they ate dinner together, she wouldn't let him finish!)
All in all, the staff was so wonderful and we are so happy we got lucky and found this perfect match. We had so many staff members and volunteers had came up to us and tell us congratulations! They were taking our their phones out to take pictures and videos, and we even saw some of them tear up saying their good byes to Baron and Pepper. They were truly loved by all the staff, and we promise to take good care of them. And it was extra special for us to pick up our kids from their 2nd day of school and have them come home to the surprise of actually having the dogs! The kids were begging me on Sunday when they met them if we could just take them home, but I had explained to them we had to discuss it over as a family before we could adopt them. The looks on their faces were priceless when they walked in and saw the dogs playing around in our living room!
My husband and I are so happy we found this pair for us and our family. Being newly weds ourselves, we have a great deal to learn from this couple. Baron and Pepper could never be separated and their love for each other is unconditional. It shows us all that even our furry friends can teach us humans a thing or two about loyalty and true love. Thank you Baron and Pepper for joining the Elwoods, and we promise to love you, take care of you, and keep you a part of our family forever!