July 30, 2008
Katie Olds Muller
113 Meadow View Road
Amsterdam, NY 12010
Re: Adopting Joni from McLendon Land
To whom it may concern:
My interest in Clumber Spaniels started about 5 years ago while watching a dog show and some Animal Planet specials. I did a good deal of research, visited websites and joined some e-mail lists to learn more. When I was finally ready for a dog in 2004 I was right out of college and as fate would have it I ended up with my Chester who is not a Clumber but a wonderful addition nonetheless. Time went on and I met my husband and became very involved in dog rescue. At a rescue event in October of 2006 I looked across the tent (where a lovely Halloween dog parade was taking place) and there was a Clumber Spaniel! I went over and was met by the sweetest dog imaginable. The nagging voice in the back of my head returned, pulling me towards the breed.
I often check Petfinder for local dogs in need and began occasionally searching “Clumber Spaniel” and in late summer of 2007 I saw Frieda listed under Furever Friends. As an avid rescue person I knew the distance and the fact I owned 7 dogs would make an adoption difficult. I checked Petfinder often and continued to see Frieda listed and she continued to pull at me. I began talking to my husband about his openness to me reaching out about her. When I got the “ok” to inquire about her I finally put my thoughts together on November 2, 2007. I still have the very long e-mail. I basically requested information on Freida and I rambled on about my dogs and our life. I was deep down afraid I might get a negative response. While I am active in rescue I also know not every rescuer is open to speaking to long distance adopters, or adopters with multiple dogs, or adopters with full time jobs. So I waited. About 4 days later I got a response from the kindest woman who told me about Frieda, who she had renamed Joni and was very open and honest about wanting homes that could spoil and dote on her rescues. This kind sweet woman was my first contact with Kim.
We wrote back and forth many times, as Kim is exceptionally thorough. I told her honestly to just keep my home in mind for the Clumbers she rescued or had as fosters and we would love to find one to be part of our family. She wanted us to do a few things prior to any approved adoption. One thing was spend some time with Clumbers. So I researched my area and met a lovely couple and their 4 Clumber Spaniels. We spent an afternoon at their home being slobbered on and it was simply wonderful. I then had to complete 2 phone interviews, and 3 personal references, as well as provide detailed pictures of my home and fence and a veterinary reference. I felt so good about providing all of these things to someone who clearly loved her foster dogs.
Once all of these things were completed and “checked out” so to speak Kim told me the best news imaginable. That she believed Joni would truly LOVE to spend her life with many canine siblings and that she would like to adopt Joni out to me. We decided June would be the best time to adopt Joni but when my life changed and we sold our home and bought another Kim was wonderful about pushing the adoption to July so that we would be settled in our new home.
On July 26, 2008 Kim and Edward drove 7 hours from their home in North Carolina to meet me half way to New York in Virginia. I was blown away by their simple, happy willingness to make such a long trip. When we both arrived in VA Kim spent nearly 2 hours with me going over all of Joni’s medical records, her routine, her likes, her dislikes, and her needs. Edward walked around with Joni gently telling her how happy she’d be in a way only a loving dad could. In the year Kim had Joni she had done all her vet care including full vaccinations, two heartworm tests, spay and basic blood work. That wonderful Saturday in July I picked up a beautifully groomed, exceptionally healthy, well loved family member.
Through tear filled eyes Kim hugged Joni and me and after our two hours of talking and laughing and meeting, Kim sent me home with a dog I knew she loved very deeply. Kim called twice on the ride home and once after I arrived home, just to ensure those crucial first moments all went ok. And since that day we have e-mailed and talked daily, Kim wanting to know every detail of Joni’s progress and adjustment. Her support is ongoing and I know our bond – Joni – will last us a lifetime. I feel so grateful Kim allowed me to adopt this wonderful dog and so thankful it also let me meet such a wonderful new friend. The entire experience was outstanding and though I’d never part with her I do know for the rest of Joni’s life she will always have a second home in North Carolina at McLendon Land.
Katie Olds Muller