I inherited my first Christmas cactus from my grandmother, and it never had a blossom. I didn’t even know the green plant was supposed to bloom around the holidays. I’m sure if my grandmother had known she would have called it a Hanukkah cactus, seeing as the Jews wandered the desert for all those years.
Unable to keep the plant alive while also caring for my two young children, I didn’t risk killing another Christmas cactus until years later, when a more botanically-inclined friend educated me on its name and flowering patterns. I was thrilled to see tiny fuchsia buds form on the plant’s tips that December, and when the buds blossomed, I imagined my grandmother was smiling down at my plant and me. “Finally!” she said in my mind. “I’ve been waiting years for those flowers; hot pink was always my color.”
My plant blossomed every December. This past December, I saw the beginnings of the new buds just as our sweet dog Nellie was experiencing inexplicable and severe pain. As she was tested and prodded, I struggled with the reality that she would soon be leaving us. Every morning I stared at the buds, musing that perhaps they would bloom when Nellie was gone. It comforted me to imagine that her puppy soul would go from her body to my plant, transforming into a new life.
We said goodbye to Nellie on December 22nd, and the buds blossomed a few days later. Rationally, the two incidents are unrelated. Emotionally, I needed them to be related, and so they were.
I knew we would get another dog at some point, but I was not ready. In January, we fostered the cutest puppies ever, and their presence soothed the ache that all of us felt without our Nellie. Yet I nixed the pleas of Matt and the kids; I would not adopt a ten-week old puppy. Both foster pups were adopted by other families, and we settled into our canine-free life.
I was not prepared to want another dog so soon, but my family was relentless. They sent me links to rescue dogs listed on Petfinder and at various local shelters, and I took the bait. I started browsing on my own, and came across a pup whose description sucked me right in. DeeDee was described as a sweet one-year old lab mix, who would probably make a great therapy dog given her even temperament. I sent the link to her web page to Matt and the kids; two weeks later we met her transport when it arrived from Georgia, and brought her home.
It was love at first sight.
DeeDee was renamed Hazel, and she is settling in beautifully. She’s housebroken, sweet, relatively calm, and full of unconditional love. She adores the kids, and they adore her. At thirty pounds, she is probably fully grown but looks like a six-month-old lab pup. I swabbed her cheek and sent it to a lab because I want to know her breeds; her DNA panel is being analyzed as we speak. We are beginning obedience training next month, and I’d love to be able to take her into nursing homes or schools as a therapy dog.
We had Hazel for a little over a week when I noticed tiny fuchsia buds on my Christmas cactus. My plant has never bloomed in March; it’s never had a blossom any other time but December. Yet each morning the bud was a little bigger than it was the day before.
Today, the bud has become a flower, blooming eight months earlier than it ever has before. In the way that I entertain fantastical thoughts because they provide me comfort, I imagine that it’s Nellie wagging her tail and telling us she approves. I know my cactus isn’t actually a link to the doggie beyond, but to me, that early bloom is a celebration of Hazel joining our family. Welcome, sweet girl – we love you already.
Hazel is adorable! Did you get her DNA result back? If so, what’s her mix?
We did – she is 50% mixed (as in too mixed up to determine breeds). Then she is an eighth each of golden retriever, boxer, Staffordshire terrier (pitbull), and ChowChow. I’m not sure how much I believe those results, but we love her anyway!
Oh wow, the flowers blooming! You never know….
The other day Sam said something about getting a dog. Living in a 1200 square-foot condo, I’m not sure that I’m ready for that. I love how sweet and affectionate dogs are, but I do appreciate the self-reliance of a cat. Hazel is such a cutie, though!
She really is! She does need lots of exercise though, and it helps to have a fenced in yard.
Oh Dana! I believe the blooms are a sign😘. I need a dog like Hazel, for Bear. But I have horrible allergies, need hypoallergenic. Unfortunately, that’s hard with rescue dogs, and ridiculously expensive with breeders.
It is really expensive, I’m sure. Every once in awhile you may find a rescue that fits the bill – maybe someday!
You didn’t warn me this was going to be a teary puppy story!
Sorry! The post about Nellie was even tearier, but this one has a happier ending.
Wow! I would say “What a coincidence!”, but maybe there aren’t really any coincidences in life. Congrats on adopting Hazel – she’s precious!
Thanks Lisa!
Hazel looks adorable!
She is precious – I’m in love!
She looks like an absolute poppet. I am delighted for you that she has joined your family, Dana. I know how hard it is to know when you’re ready for another. I truly believe she was meant for you. Looking forward to hearing the DNA results.
And the Christmas cactus! Mine needs to be repotted and I am reminded of that by your shiny leaves. Wow. It’s a gorgeous plant.
Thanks, Kelly – its beauty is due to luck and sunlight, not my brown thumb!
–Yessssss,
no coincidence.
I don’t believe in them…At All….
but I do believe we are given what we need
when we need it!
OMGggg, Hazel is adorable. I want to hug her hard. xx from Duluth.
I’ll hug her for you Kim!
Awww, welcome to Hazel! And that pictures of those puppies is too much cuteness.
They were unbelievably cute! But lots of work.
Love this story !! There is a reason for things❤️ Can’t wait to meet Hazel, which is an awesome name I must say !
It is an amazing name – now I know two very special Hazels. She’s just a tad smaller than your pups – I wonder if she likes chocolate? 😉
Dana, I love this post. I truly believe things are connected and I love this story. And your new pup is adorable! Hope all is well.
Thanks Kirsten!
Loved the post! I am a believer, too!!!
I know you are. <3
Hazel is a sweetie! I see such kindness and gentleness in her eyes. And isn’t it a great case of synchronicity that your cactus bloomed twice in such a short period, all connected with the passing of one pet and the arrival of another? Absolutely fabulous!
Thank you, Alison. There is a gentleness in Hazel’s eyes, and I see a bit of Nellie in them.
Dana, what a beautiful piece and I think it’s perfectly fine to create connections between seemingly unrelated things. Our creativity helps us find beauty and comfort in this often challenging life. I’m so glad you have those beautiful blossoms and that adorable puppy.
Does she chew much?
She loves her bones, Julia, but we’ve limited her access in the house so she isn’t chewing much. If we left slippers or shoes on the floor, I’m sure she’d go for them. Right now she is crated when we aren’t home, so we’ll see what happens when we start letting her roam free.
Tucker and I played a great April Fool’s joke on Robert telling him we’d adopted a puppy on Saturday (we rehearsed; it was from the car phone so each of us could do our parts) and then it made me wish we really had adopted one… maybe it’s time. Hazel is adorable and wow to your cactus blooming so early! I can definitely see how you’d see that as a sign of Nellie approving of your new family member.
It starts as a joke, and next thing you know you have a new pup…it’s a big commitment, as you know. I waffled back and forth, but in the end, I felt like I needed another dog to love more than I needed the freedom of not having one.
Welcome, Hazel. You will be VERY happy there – along with all the blossoms and blooms. Sigh. I’m gonna cry. Also, I remember your foster puppies and I have often wished there was less distance between us – but that was a moment I wished it even more fiercely!
You would have loved visiting with them, Tamara. As wonderful as puppies are though, I’m happy with my Hazel. She’s a keeper.
I am such a big believer, as well and have had my fair share of feeling that both my grandparents have looked down on me from time-to-time over the years. So, reading this filled my heart with so much hope and love. And Hazel is just perfect – such a cutie!! 🙂
Thank you Janine!
I literally got chills at the end of this!! I BELIEVE! I absolutely love when things like this happen and, I like to think I have had a few “signs” like this from my mom in the years since she has been gone. I absolutely love your new puppy (as I do my own!) and hope you can bring her out as a therapy dog so she can create blossoms everywhere she goes!
I hope so too, Allie! Enjoy your new pup – may you run many miles together!