Kenz and I were doing our favourite little loop around Vancouver’s seawall when her phone rang.
We both looked down at the screen and smiled at each other in excitement when we saw who was calling. It was the BC SPCA. We knew they were getting back to us about a recent adoption application we’d submitted for an adorable little pup. She had sandy-blonde fur, big, beautiful brown eyes, a little beard, and one of the biggest smiles we’d ever seen.
Kenz and I had been wanting to expand our fur fam for a while, and she’d spent months scouring rescue websites, trying to find the perfect match.
Finding a rescue dog can be a little trickier when you already have a pup at home. We wanted to make sure the two would get along, that their temperaments were compatible, and that our newest family member could keep up with our active lifestyle. The last thing we wanted was to leave one dog at home while the other joined us for hikes and long trail walks.
While we’d originally hoped to adopt an adult or senior dog, knowing how many older dogs are in need of loving homes, we were a little apprehensive about bringing a dog with an unknown history into a household with Billie.
During our search, we’d actually found a potential match in Seattle. She was a pittie mix and an absolute sweetheart, and our application had progressed quite far. Unfortunately, we were eventually rejected because the rescue was concerned about having two female dogs in the same household. They explained that issues like fighting, aggression, and resource guarding could potentially emerge as the dogs got older. It was disappointing, but we continued our search.
Our Lucky Clover
And then we found Clover. The pup we’d applied for through the BC SPCA was just three months old and the last remaining puppy from her litter.
We were told that her mother had gotten loose and returned home pregnant. Unable to care for the puppies himself, the owner brought them to the local BC SPCA in Chilliwack. They were born on St. Pattie’s day, so they named her clover, and as luck would have it, the person who was supposed to pick her up that day hadn’t shown up.
The woman from the BC SPCA asked us some questions about our home, Billie, our lifestyles, work schedules, and why we wanted to adopt. Then she asked the question we’d been hoping to hear. If we were still interested, when could we come pick her up?
Kenz and I looked at each other, and while we were still on the phone, agreed that we’d make the trip the very next day.
We were getting another puppy! It was really happening!
The Perfect Pup at the Worst Possible Time
I’ll be the first to admit that the timing wasn’t exactly ideal. I’d just finished a 200-mile race a week earlier, and we were in the middle of packing up our lives in Vancouver to move to Squamish in less than a week.
Throwing a puppy into the mix was a whole new level of self-inflicted torture I hadn’t experienced before. But she was just too perfect to pass up. Of course, adopting a dog is a huge decision that requires careful thought and planning. It’s a commitment that can last well over a decade, and it’s not something to take lightly.
But life doesn’t always wait for the perfect moment to welcome someone new into your family, whether that’s an animal or a little human. Sometimes, even when you’ve thought things through, the timing is going to be less-than-ideal. And if you’re ready for the responsibility, willing to embrace a little chaos, and prepared to put in the work, sometimes you just have to go for it.
At least, that was our mentality.
Bracing ourselves for the chaos to come, we loaded Billie into the back seat and made the two-hour drive to Chilliwack to pick up our newest family member. When we arrived, the woman from the BC SPCA took us around back.
And there she was. Our little Clover, sitting behind the kennel door, looking bashful and absolutely adorable.
She was understandably shy at first, and Billie came in a little hot, you could say. But Clover warmed up quickly, and after spending some time together, we were ready to make things official. We paid the adoption fee, completed the paperwork, and brought our baby home. We also decided to give her a new name, and both agreed she was Stevie.
I drove while Stevie curled up on Kenz’s lap, snuggling in and falling asleep almost immediately. When we got home, she explored the house for a little while before discovering what would quickly become her favourite spot: a cozy little corner of the couch.
We noticed almost immediately that Stevie was more of a country gal. She wasn’t particularly fond of the noise, traffic, and constant stimulation of the city. Whenever we took her outside to go to the bathroom, she’d do her business and then make a beeline for the front door, eager to return to her little sanctuary on the couch.
She wasn’t too interested in Billie at first, either. But it didn’t take long for her to warm up. And Billie, being the loving, enthusiastic big sister she is, welcomed her with snuggles, kisses, and plenty of playful bows, welcoming her to join in on her fun.
Settling Into the Squamish Life
As soon as we moved into our new place in Squamish, we noticed an almost immediate shift in Stevie. Moving can be stressful for dogs, and while Billie was a little anxious during those first few days, Stevie seemed to feel right at home.
It was as though she’d been waiting for the Squamish lifestyle all along. She looked relaxed, happy, and genuinely excited to explore her new surroundings.
And we couldn’t have been happier. While raising a puppy can be tough and demanding (I’d only recently gone through the whole process with Billie), Stevie has been an absolute dream.
She’s incredibly smart, picked up potty training and basic manners quickly, and has fit into our little family better than we could have imagined.
These days, Stevie and Billie spend their time racing around the trails, splashing through the river, and relaxing on our rooftop, which has become one of Stevie’s favourite places to nap. She’s even spotted a few bears and a bobcat from our balcony!
Stevie loves greeting everyone she meets with her big, beautiful smile and signature full-body wiggle. And she gets a lot of attention. “What kind of dog is she?” and “How big is she going to get?”are probably the two questions we hear most often.
She’s always up for an adventure, whether that’s joining us for a hike, tagging along to one of our favourite Squamish patios, or visiting Fox & Oak for a peanut butter doggy donut.
Stevie has the sweetest, most loving temperament and seems to get along with just about every dog and person she meets. She’s just turned seven months old and already weighs over 50 pounds.
So while our little puppy is quickly becoming a very large lady, she’s a gentle giant at heart. All she really wants is to be close to her people. And the gal’s needs are quite simple: belly rubs and snuggles fit the bill, and she doesn’t mind a few treats now and then either 😛
The Best of Friends
One of the most heartwarming parts of welcoming Stevie into our family has been watching her relationship with Billie blossom. The two have become the absolute best of pals.
Whether they’re playing with their endless collection of toys, wrestling on the rooftop, chasing each other along the trails, or curling up together for a nap, they’re rarely far apart. And they make us belly laugh every single day.
There’s something so special about watching two dogs develop their own little friendship. They have their own games, routines, and ways of communicating, and it’s been such a joy watching their bond grow.
Billie has embraced her role as big sister, and Stevie seems to think the world of her. They’re a precious pair, and I honestly can’t imagine our family without both of them.
Welcome to the Family, Stevie
Stevie has been the perfect addition to our little family, and we feel incredibly lucky to have found such a sweet, adorable, loving ladybug. Looking back, the timing of her adoption was chaotic, to say the least.
A 200-mile race, a major move, and a brand-new puppy, all within the span of a couple of weeks. But I wouldn’t change a thing.
Seeing Stevie thrive in Squamish, watching her friendship with Billie grow, and getting to experience life with our two pups has made every bit of the early chaos worth it.
Stevie is a Squamish gal at heart. And we’re so happy she’s ours 🙂
Thinking about adding a furry family member of your own?
If you’re considering welcoming a dog into your life, I’d encourage you to explore adoption through a local rescue or shelter.
There are so many wonderful animals looking for loving homes, from playful puppies to older dogs who deserve a comfortable place to spend their golden years.
Some organizations worth exploring include Loved at Last Dog Rescue, Whistler Animals Galore (WAG), Pawsitive Animal Rescue, and the BC SPCA. You can also try the Petfinder app Adopting a dog is a big commitment, but for the right family and the right pup, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable!
