My new studio member

I am excited to introduce my new team member, April.  She is a 2 year old Golden Retriever I just adopted through the Long Island Golden Retriever Rescue here on Long Island. She is a great team player, has an international sense of color and is loveable and furry! She loves to hang out in my office, take naps and occasionally walks on my designs, it's very cute!

Our beloved yellow lab Gracie had suddenly passed away in March. My heart was broken. My kids missed her tremendously. As my friend Bethe told me "you need some Doggie love". Boy was she right.

My friend Michelle saw a piece on the news about  Golden Retrievers that were being brought to New York from Istanbul Turkey. They needed homes and we needed a dog. So I went on the LIGRR website and to learn more about the "turkey dogs" as they refer to them. Took one look at April's picture and decided to send in an application.

A couple of weeks later I got a call. Was I still looking to adopt a dog? They told me April had hip surgery, she had a dislocated hip which they believe was that way since birth. She was spending her recovery time with a foster family. But if all went well with her post op appointment we could adopt her.

I took my son to go meet her. She was so sweet. She was very loveable and just wanted us to keep petting her.

She had to wear a cone, her rear right area was shaved and she had a big scar. She was going to need a lot of TLC. She couldn't go up any stairs, needed meds and had to be on the leash outside, no running. Melanie from LIGRR asked me "Are you ready for that?", my heart said yes but I was scared, could I take care of her? would she like us?

It was so emotional I didn't know what to do. I decided to take my daughter Hanna, there a few days later to meet her, then I'd make a decision. We walked down the stairs to see her, she came to greet us and when my daughter started petting her April began to purr it was so sweet. The decision was made later that day when I asked her what did you think about April and she said "Oh Mom I just love her!"

The call was made and a week later she was ours. She is doing great. She loves her walks and her leg is getting stronger everyday. Our house needed a dog and we found the perfect one for us.

The hole in my life and heart is starting to close up. I will never forget Gracie but if I can honor her life by giving sweet April a new home then my heart is full.