Alright everybody, it’s time.
I’d like to introduce you to our newest Pinch of Yum family member, our little one, our fur baby, our precious girl Sage.
I decided that today I will give you the full story, start to finish, because it’s Friday, I just ate chocolate chip pancakes, I’m in my sweats, and I’m prone to oversharing in situations like this. Also because, selfishly, writing it all out is a good way for me and Bjork to document and remember the story. Dog lovers of the internet world unite!
Bjork and I have always wanted a dog. We both grew up with dogs, we both consider ourselves “dog people”, we watch YouTube dog videos at the end of long days together to feel the happy aww-cute feelings. Dog ownership has always been our dream + destiny.
Except it wasn’t, because way back in high school, Bjork actually tested positive for being allergic to dogs. Once we got married and starting the conversation about getting a dog someday, I obviously neverever whined about the allergies and was always a really supportive wife, showing rational understanding that we just might never be able to get a dog. Or… something kind of like that. Maybe.
A few months ago, we decided that it had been a few years (okay, 10) and Bjork should get tested one more time to see if anything had changed. This might have had something to do with him trying to shut down my years-long campaign for a new puppy, but, you know, that’s hard to say. Really hard to say.
You guys, honestly, why we went to his allergy appointment together is still lost on me (other than the fact that we are secretly 85 and we attend specialist appointments together? omg nooo), but there I sat in the little allergy room as he got his back all scratched up, and an hour later we walked out of the allergist’s office with good news: while he was allergic to dogs at one time, BJORK IS NOT ALLERGIC TO DOGS ANYMORE.
I took to the webs immediately. Google: puppy, new puppy, pug puppy, where to get a puppy, I love puppies, gimme a puppy.
My dream was to get a puppy, maybe a pug, probably a pug, and love it like a little baby.
And then came the curveball – on a whim one day, Bjork suggested maybe we should find a dog that we could get from a rescue organization. Um, what? A non-puppy adult dog? A rescue? Psssshhhhh. –> That was my first reaction because I’m not exactly the person who has always been passionate about dog rescue. Honestly, I don’t think I’m inherently nice enough to have even really considered that as a possibility for how we might get a dog, so this idea took a while to settle in because it was never really the deep, deep passion of my heart.
But luckily, the deep, deep passion of my heart is doing extensive, overambitious, staying-up-WAY-too-late research on anything and everything online, and the second deep, deep passion of my heart is falling in love irrationally fast with exciting ideas, so I dove into obsessive research about dogs available through rescue organizations here in Minnesota.
And that’s when I found Sage.
Except, at the time, she was named Sith. Like, Sith Lord from Star Wars.
*record scratch*
The name didn’t mean anything to me at the time because, hi, I like movies based off Nicholas Sparks novels and I don’t know anything about Star Wars. Sith what? I sort of wanted to keep the name. Strange as this connection might be, I think I felt this need to keep her name because of our experiences in the Philippines, watching older children be adopted and going through a name change and knowing how potentially difficult that could be. Not that it’s necessarily wrong, or not that it’s even close to being the same thing… it’s just the closest thing I could relate it to, and I knew that there would be challenges. Her name is her name, right? Who cares if most people will envision an evil, devilish, terrifying space alien creature when they hear it?
But as a watcher of Star Wars and a person who is more connected with the world’s perspective on the name Sith, Bjork was absolutely adamant that we change her name (“Lindsay, it would be like keeping the name Satan.”) We wanted to keep the name relatively similar, one syllable, S-something if possible, so we tried to be creative, and then started googling because sometimes being creative takes a little too much energy, and we eventually settled on the name Sage.
I actually asked Bjork if we should be reserving this name for a future child – that’s how much I like it. My love for the name has nothing to do with food or food blogging or anything like that, although funny how that works, right?
It’s just a pretty, simple name for a pretty, simple girl. It means wise one, and Sage is most definitely our little wise one.
I don’t really know what prompted me to click on her profile that day – it’s not like either her picture or her name were particularly cute (sorry baby), but for whatever reason I did, and I read the description out loud to Bjork: loves to snuggle, potty trained, crate trained, a good walker, loves car rides, doesn’t bark much. We looked at each other and smiled and just knew. This is her. This is the one.
We met her for the first time at a PetSmart, thought about the decision for about two minutes on the drive home, and then officially took her home one week ago today.
What we know about Sage: she’s about a year old, she’s a Beagle mix (DNA test pending for more information), she has the softest fur ever, she’s already had puppies, she’s extremely gentle and even timid at times, and she might be part cat for how much she loves to lean into you and blatantly ask for love, attention, and petting.
Her favorite activities are:
Snuggles.
Sleeping.
Looking at bones but not chewing them.
The dog park.
Pondering life.
And generally being the cutest, nicest, most affectionate dog ever.
One concern we have is that she’s given visitors a few low growls before warming up to them, and the hair on her back stands up when anything is even remotely stimulating (grass? birds? milk carton? hair up.) which is sort of worrisome for an anxious person like myself. But after getting my first what-if-something’s-wrong dog mom cry out of the way (I know I know I KNOW), I’m feeling better about helping her gain confidence around new people.
We love her SO MUCH, you guys. Like, maybe I am fully dorking out with tears in my eyes right now as I write those words out. Gah, Mush City! Pull yourself together, Linds. All that to say, I’m so thankful that I have a dog-loving group of internet friends that I can share her with. You guys get me.
So there you have it.
The sweet, long-anticipated story of how we found our little Sage. ♡
Update: MORE SAGE POSTS! Because we love you.
Sage looks adorable! Congratulations! I’m sure she’ll be a great helper and recipe tester in the POY kitchen. 🙂
Shes a beauty! Welcome to the great life of dog ownership…..she looks part beagle corgie to me….let us know. So happy for you guys.
sweet little pup of love! so happy she has found a loving home. enjoy enjoy enjoy!
“Sweet Little Pup of Love” – I’m going to start calling her that!
I’m not a dog lover yet (I’m hoping it will come with time), but Sage looks adorably sweet and perfect for me to enjoy from the comfort of my computer screen. I laughed out loud with your “Sith” and “Satan” connection. And I have the same problem as you: I have names that I think would be lovely for dogs, but also, would I want to save those for humans? Who knows? But Sage is a great name! Congrats on your new pup!
Thanks Ally! Guess we’ll just have to come up with a new name for a future baby someday… back to Google! 🙂
ZOMG! It’s like looking into a mirror! That looks (and seems to act like) just like my Gidget! I think my girl is a blend of Beagle and German Shepherd, so I’m excited to hear what her DNA test results are. Congrats on the new edition!
Aw, twins! Beagle + German Shepherd – that’s what I’m thinking, too! Her fur texture and color is incredible and it reminds me a lot of German Shepherd, so we’ll see! Bjork sent off the swabs this morning! 🙂
I have a German Shepherd mix, too! She’s mixed with Bernese Mountain Dog, though so she’s a wee bit bigger than Sage. Heads up on the DNA test: we did one of those for our other dog (who was a rescue straight from a bad owner) and it came back with some super wacky, hard to believe results…so just be prepared to take it with a grain of salt! 🙂
I’ve heard that! I’m so super curious now… even if it is wacky…
Oh my goodness, she is adorable! You can feel her sweetness through the photos. <3 We have two puggles, so I have a special place in my heart for beagles (and pugs). They are the most loyal, loving, snuggly dogs. I wouldn't worry too much about the initial growling/hair raising–a new home is just a lot for her to take in. As you said, if you work on her confidence, that will almost certainly dissipate as she gets more comfortable and feels safe. Very happy for you both!
Aww such a friendly looking pup!! Wishing you two all the best with your new family member!!
Such a cute puppy!! /i’m a dog person, but I’ve never been sure I’d actually own one in the future cuz pets are a lot of work. But the cuteness overload in this post may have convinced me.
Also this killed me haha -> puppy, new puppy, pug puppy, where to get a puppy, I love puppies, gimme a puppy
Oh what a lover. She is just gorgeous and I am glad you introduced her. I was hoping for pictures when you announced her arrival.
This is the absolute best thing I could have ever read today and to make it even better today is Friday? Say what? I am an absolute dog lover through and through. I just adopted a pup this past October and I don’t know how I lived my life before her. I’m so happy for you guys and your little family. Enjoy your fur-baby.
WELCOME SAGEEEEEEEEE! I can’t wait to find out what her DNA test shows. #nerdddd
aw, thanks Lee! I can’t remember, do you have a dog? if you do, Friday walks might be in our future. And if you don’t, Friday walks might still be in our future.
I’m not a dog person, but I could get behind a puppy like sage, so adorable!
I’m like cooing through the screen right now. So adorable!
The best of luck with her 🙂
I am so happy that you found a fur baby! I am totally that person about my dog. (Her name is CeCe, she’s a basset rescue, I’ve had her for almost two years, she’s pretty much the best dog ever.) She also does the “warning growl for new people”–it’s gotten better over time and the longer she’s been with me. I think part of getting a rescue is not knowing what sort of psychological baggage they might have. Ultimately, the growling is a good thing because it’s a warning before you have any sort of biting issue. Oh, also–my dog doesn’t love big bones (she does the looking but not chewing thing with them) but LOVES the skinny Dingo bones at Target, if you want to give those a shot. Congratulations on becoming pet parents!!!!
I will have to check those out! The only thing she is even remotely interested in is a treat-filled Kong or a pig’s ear, which I don’t really want to give to her. So maybe the Dingo bones will do the trick! Lol – listen to us… 😀
Sage is beautiful! What an awesome name by the way, love it. Our pets are such a huge part of our lives. As Sage’s mom you’ll learn what each sound means.
Congratulations, so much love!
Um, can I just say that I’m really glad you didn’t name her Satan? Seriously, this post made me get all teary. It might be because I’m hormonal and pregnant. But mostly I just love seeing this new addition to your family and how she is just fitting right in. I wonder if her anxiety goes up around strangers and milk cartons because she’s afraid that someone will take her away from you guys? Time will heal that, of course. Congrats! 🙂
Laughing out loud on so many levels. And we’re actually reserving the name Satan for a child, so… oh my gosh I’m horrible. horrible horrible joke. Worst person award. (:D)
now that comment made me lol!! so nice to read your sense of humor in your blog posts and responses too!
UM, I may have been dorking out and crying with you as I read this….
She’s gorgeous! And I love that you decided to go the rescue route. My dog will be 13 this year, and we picked her up from a rescue when she was around 3 months old. To this day we have no idea what kind of dog she is (she was actually born way up north and shipped down to the shelter here), but it was definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made 🙂
Awww, she’s absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I love her coat and her dreamy eyes! She’s a Daddy’s girl FUR-sure!
Yes she is! LOL!
Congratulations on your new addition! How exciting! It’s clear she is all ready bonding with you guys! I got a dog about 6 months ago and it has been an emotional journey and it’s just so nice to have something that loves you so much and is so excited to see you! Enjoy!
Aww, thanks so much for sharing your story! Glad to hear that you went the rescue route, it’s been something I’ve been adamant about for a long time. 🙂 And aren’t adult dogs so easy? So glad that adorable Sage is bringing unconditional doggie love into your lives! It’s like getting a new perspective on life.
OH MY GOSH she is absolutely beautiful! I’m laughing at the name story, that’s so funny. She sounds so wonderful, dogs are so much fun to have and they really are like family.
thank you for sharing your lovely story, Sage looks beautiful, and she looks very settled and content with you both. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your furry baby, I know I would be lost without mine 🙂
IT’S A GIRL!!! Congrats momma (and dad!) she’s perfect! They make every day better 🙂 enjoy the snuggles!
Hahaha! best comment ever. Thanks Kate!
She is precious! Bigger than my Dutch and he is white where she is black but they definitely remind me of one another. So crazy isn’t it how quickly a bond can form? I have really not ever been a huge dog person and now I’m madly in love and like a first time mom with this one. He even goes to daycare once or twice a week! Your pictures are fabulous too…I need to take some new pictures of my baby.
Such a sweet pup! All the snuggling pictures remind me of our dog, Lucy. We call her an attention whore sometimes 🙂 Lucy’s also a rescue and they definitely require some patience. She was super anxious whenever we’d leave the house, but she’s come a LONG way. She also used to growl and hide under a desk when people came over. Now she barks (not ideal) until she recognizes them and then licks them to death. Annnyways, congrats! It’s amazing how much we can love these fur balls.
Yep – that’s what Sage is, for sure!