As some of you astute observers noted, the person standing above the black lab in the last picture yesterday was indeed wearing Pet Doctor Barbie boots. 37712 came home with me.
And promptly was outfitted with a shamrock hat by my daughter. She is much more compliant with our family’s costuming requirements than Brody has been.
They say black dogs are the hardest to adopt. They are hard to photograph, they say. Pish posh.
I’ve been wanting another dog for quite some time. Two is a perfect balance. I wrote to the person at the rescue where I adopted Emmett with a bit of a tall order:
A female, medium to large dog who was fairly mellow herself but able to handle a crazy young puppy, is OK with cats, young kids, and dogs. Having learned the importance of choosing the right dog, I waited patiently.
This is Kekoa. Counting her two stints in rescue, this is her fifth home.
She is very good with kids.
My son calls Brody “Bitey” and she is “Licky.”
She is utterly disinterested in Apollo (which is fine by him.)
They’re plotting to bust into the pantry already, I think.
On February 23, 2010 at 2:49am, rachel said...
Aww! She is gorgeous Dr. V. I hope Bitey and Licky have a fantastic time playing together.
On February 23, 2010 at 10:02pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you! We are really excited.
On February 23, 2010 at 3:36am, Deb Mendez said...
A new Dynamic Duo! They look like best friends already! Congrats on the new addition.
On February 23, 2010 at 10:02pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you! I think she may be borrowing Brody’s calming collar too.
On February 23, 2010 at 4:35am, Catie Scarlette said...
Five homes?! Kekoa doesn’t know it, but she just fell into heaven! Congratulations on another happy story!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:03pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you! I am so happy to have her.
On February 23, 2010 at 4:42am, wikith said...
Awww, congrats! I can’t wait to get into a bigger place so we’ll have room for a second dog, this just makes me itch to put in a word to some of my rescue friends… I love the shamrock hat! And Brody is so big now!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:03pm, Dr. V said...
Isn’t he huge? It’s nuts.
On February 23, 2010 at 4:55am, Lisa W said...
Awww, so sweet! Congrats on the new family member!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:04pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you Lisa
On February 23, 2010 at 5:08am, the 7msn ranch said...
Her fifth and final home. I’m quite certain she’s already figured out she’s landed in paradise.
On February 23, 2010 at 10:04pm, Dr. V said...
I hope so! We’re so happy to have her.
On February 23, 2010 at 5:14am, Kim said...
Aw man! Congratulations! I’m not too bright – I didn’t connect the dots at all even after seeing your twitter post (figured she was a visitor at the office). They look like best pals already!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:04pm, Dr. V said...
LOL! I was unintentionally obtuse, I think.
On February 23, 2010 at 6:40am, AboutVetMed said...
Whooohooooo! Great story and photos. A multiple happy ending story.
You can so see the happiness, love and contentment in Kekoa’s eyes. She knows she is HOME. Finally. And what a great home she landed! Congrats, DrV and family!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:05pm, Dr. V said...
She’s a really, really sweet kid.
On February 23, 2010 at 6:53am, Tonya said...
You hit the jackpot – a dog who will wear a shamrock hat and SMILE about it! And Kekoa hit the jackpot when she came to live with you! 5 homes? What’s her story? I’m so glad you chose a black dog (and a Lab!). That is one cause close to my heart because I can’t stand it that they are the hardest to place. They are #1 in my book! Those two tails in the last pic say it all!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:06pm, Dr. V said...
Isn’t she funny? She wore that hat until it fell off.
On February 23, 2010 at 7:07am, Sedna said...
Oh, congratulations! What a lovely girl.
On February 23, 2010 at 10:07pm, Dr. V said...
Doesn’t she look sweet?
On February 23, 2010 at 7:31am, Rose D. said...
Oh Dr. V, this makes me cry with happiness. I’m so glad Kekoa has found her forever home.
On February 23, 2010 at 10:07pm, Dr. V said...
Me too Rose. She deserves it.
On February 23, 2010 at 7:35am, Kristie said...
Yaaay! Happy endings all around!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:08pm, Dr. V said...
I’m excited. She’s a real sweetheart.
On February 23, 2010 at 7:39am, Tina said...
That is awesome!!!! Congratulations on the new addition to your family!!!!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:08pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you Tina!
On February 23, 2010 at 7:40am, angie said...
love the tongues and tails! what a perfect fit
On February 23, 2010 at 10:08pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you Angie! They are really cute together.
On February 23, 2010 at 7:41am, Grace said...
Ohhh, she’s beautiful! Congratulations on your newest addition, Dr. V! Looks like her and the kids (both human and canine) are going to be the best of friends!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:09pm, Dr. V said...
She fits in perfectly. We are very lucky.
On February 23, 2010 at 7:41am, Jamie said...
Five homes?! Wowie! Glad to hear she finally found her forever home and she seems to fit in just perfectly!!!! Congratulations!!!!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:09pm, Dr. V said...
She is a really special girl. I feel so lucky to have her.
On February 23, 2010 at 7:41am, Kristyn said...
Yay! I’m getting all choked up. Its such a cool moment when a new pup enters your life and becomes family. Congratulations!!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:10pm, Dr. V said...
It was the right time. Everything worked out perfectly.
On February 23, 2010 at 7:45am, Megumi said...
This is such a wonderful story!! Congratulations to everyone – Kekoa has hit the jackpot of forever homes!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:11pm, Dr. V said...
Aw thanks Meg. She really is a perfect little girl.
On February 23, 2010 at 7:57am, deebo said...
This brought a tear to my eye, I’m glad to hear she’s finally getting her happy ending!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:11pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you! I’m really happy to have her here.
On February 23, 2010 at 8:16am, Chile said...
I don’t know who is luckier: you or Kekoa. Congrats on the new addition to the family and a huge slobbery welcome to Kekoa!!
I love my black dog[s]. Granted it’s easier to get pictures of Cookie in the snow but hey it all works out!!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:11pm, Dr. V said...
Me, for sure.
On February 23, 2010 at 8:40am, pikachu said...
Best friends forever , like they are meant to be . Congratulations on the new addition . She couldnt have come into a a better forever home . I love these happy endings. Looking forward to the adventures of Bitey & Lickey ..LOL
On February 23, 2010 at 10:12pm, Dr. V said...
Doesn’t that sound like a children’s book? lol
On February 24, 2010 at 5:00am, pikachu said...
It does and you are the one to write it
LOL
On February 23, 2010 at 8:45am, Susan Montgomery said...
Congrats to you and Kekoa! Just goes to show, good dogs end up in shelters, for no fault of their own.
On February 23, 2010 at 10:15pm, Dr. V said...
Oh my gosh, the stories are heartbreaking. All of them- divorce, moving, new baby, etc.
On February 23, 2010 at 9:02am, Cole said...
Awww, she’s beautiful! Mommy grew up with black lab mixes – LOVE!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:15pm, Dr. V said...
Labs are new for me- should be an adventure!
On February 23, 2010 at 9:09am, Tammy said...
She is beautiful!! Seems like she’s fitting in very well already
Congrats!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:15pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you Tammy!!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:28am, kimchi said...
I am So Happy for you guys!
) What a Sweetie Pie!!! I heard the same thing about black dogs. my black poochie also says PISH POSH! 
I can see Bitey and Licky are going to have LOTS of Great Adventures together! ((HUGS))
On February 23, 2010 at 10:16pm, Dr. V said...
She is a total lovebug. We love it.
On February 23, 2010 at 10:35am, Ashley said...
Oh gosh.. here I go again.. *cries*
Aw! This is like a real life, happy ending fairy tale! She’s such a cutie. Congratulations Dr. V!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:16pm, Dr. V said...
Aw, you’re too cute. We are super excited.
On February 23, 2010 at 10:43am, Georgia Jewel said...
Aww, this just made a good day better! I’m glad she has her forever home and family! Congrats to the whole V family!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:16pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you! I’m looking forward to our lives together.
On February 23, 2010 at 12:31pm, Rwan said...
This makes me totally happy. I love black dogs (as you know with Learned) and with a flash and a good camera, photographing them isn’t too bad. Have fun with her! She’s a beauty! Now, off to go study for more Texas bar exam… onward to getting licensed to become a lawyer!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:17pm, Dr. V said...
Oh, the bar! Good luck with that!! Are you going into animal law?
On February 24, 2010 at 3:26am, Rwan said...
Funny you should ask that. I did take an animal law class. It was interesting, but a lot of it didn’t actually involve any cute fuzzy animals, but rather the whole chickens and slaughterhouses and things I mostly try to not learn about. Truthfully, I have no clue what I’m going to do. I just need someone to hire me and I’ll gladly do whatever type of law they want me to do. I’m not picky, just broke
Thanks for the luck. I’m one day down and 2 more days to go… such a beating!
On February 23, 2010 at 1:30pm, Shannon said...
Congrats – what a sweetheart she is!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:17pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you Shannon!
On February 23, 2010 at 1:31pm, Valerie said...
I’ve been working in animal rescue for the last 15 years and from my own experience, black dogs, and especially larger black dogs ARE much harder to place and are also far more likely to be returned even after adoption. This is the reason I currently share my home with 4 black rescue dogs. Kekoa is a lucky dog and I think your family is also lucky to have her, she looks like a real sweetheart!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:18pm, Dr. V said...
More likely to be returned too? Do you have any idea why?
On February 23, 2010 at 1:41pm, Alexa said...
They are so cute together! Congrats!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:18pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you Alexa!
On February 23, 2010 at 2:20pm, Yvonne said...
I began reading your blog soon after our Golden boy Casey of 14 years had to be put down and your blog was so helpful as we went through that time…. soon we had a new Golden boy Rex (now almost 2) then your family got Brody…now a lovely black lab Kekoa…we also have a black lab and she is 7 her name is May. It was such a nice suprise see Kekoa has joined your family and funny to see we both have a young golden and a black kissy lab. I’m sure you and your family will enjoy your great addition!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:19pm, Dr. V said...
Oh, isn’t that strange how lives parallel each other? You should send me some pics of Rex and May!
On February 23, 2010 at 2:27pm, pikachu said...
The picture of the two of them walking away would be a great picture for a greeting card cover ..:-) you should send it to Hallmark , or you could have a caption contest ( no prizes ) just would love to see what captions everyone could come up with between Bitey and Licky
LOLOL. this is such a feel-good moment. Yeaah 
I am sooooooo happy for you. “Rescue animals rule 
”
On February 23, 2010 at 10:20pm, Dr. V said...
A caption contest…hmmmm, that is a good idea!
On February 23, 2010 at 2:49pm, Arwen said...
Oh what a sweetheart. She’s landed on her feet now. I hope to see lots of her on the blog – it’ll be interesting to hear how she settles in.
On February 23, 2010 at 10:20pm, Dr. V said...
She’ll be on the blog plenty! She’s underfoot 24/7, so it shouldn’t be a problem
On February 23, 2010 at 2:53pm, Shauna (Fido & Wino) said...
Congrats on the new addition! Start Seeing Black Dogs focuses on placing black dogs: http://www.startseeingblackdogs.com/pblog/
Your pup is a beauty
On February 23, 2010 at 10:21pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you for that link! (and the compliment)
On February 23, 2010 at 3:50pm, Annette Frey said...
Oh but of course! Duh! Welcome to your great new home Kekoa! xoxo
On February 23, 2010 at 10:21pm, Dr. V said...
LOL! Thank you!
On February 23, 2010 at 5:58pm, karen said...
Yay, I love a happy ending! And she’s such a beautiful dog. Congrats!!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:21pm, Dr. V said...
Thank you Karen!
On February 23, 2010 at 7:02pm, lawgeekgurl said...
Congratulations! I love smoochy doggies! She is beautiful. I agree on the two dogs thing. I would have preferred to adopt a second when my older dog passed, but my monster decided she was Queen of All She Surveyed and consequenly no longer works and plays well with other doggies. She seems perfectly content to be an only doggie. Next time, there will be two (hopefully not for a good long time, as I lurve my monster.)
On February 23, 2010 at 10:22pm, Dr. V said...
Every once in a while you get a loner pup, lol. May your time until you can get two be very long away indeed!
On February 24, 2010 at 12:39am, Kelly said...
Congrats! She is gorgeous, and it does have a nice balance – two dogs. We haven’t pulled the trigger on a second dog yet, but keep thinking about it!
On February 24, 2010 at 10:14am, casacaudill said...
I just love the pic of her with Zoe and Brody – she’s found some good people who will love her and nurture her, I’m sure.
On February 25, 2010 at 5:04am, Tassia said...
She reminds me of my first dog, Minx. Looks like a nice find, Dr. V. I’m glad she’s found her forever home with you, I couldn’t think of a better place for her to call home.