Genie and Missy came to live with us about one year ago as forever fosters. Missy became ill and passed away in February. I decided to adopt Genie then.

Losing two dogs within six months is difficult, as we all know, but such is life as a rescuer. No regrets here. I will always have rescues and will always love them. We take our lumps and go back for more.

Genie was a hoot! Always a high energy, beautiful and happy dog, her tail a blur of wagging, she loved the whole world and everyone in it. It was so sweet to see her in a puppy pile with Rhodes, Sansa, Miggy, Cow Girl, Sara, Mia and whoever else decided to crash with them - usually Bart, my tuxedo cat. Genie was my tiny bud, my shadow who loved to get under my feet and follow me around. She had the loudest bark for such a little dog just under 10 pounds. Her favorite time was mealtime and she ate with pure gusto. She slowly crept into my heart and stole it!

At bedtime I’d spray rose & lavender essential oils in the room and apply lavender to her coat. Then I’d kiss her little head, rock her in my arms and sing her a lullaby. I’d promise to meet her in our dreams in sleepy town. The lullaby I sang went like this:

Hush a bye, don’t you cry
Go to sleep my little baby.
When you wake you shall have
All the pretty little horses.
Dapples and grays, pintos and bays,
All the pretty little horses.

Yonder down in the meadow
Poor little baby’s crying Momma.
Birds and butterflies flutter around her eyes,
Poor little baby’s crying Momma.
Mmmm mmmmm mmmmmm,
Mmmm mmmm mmmm mmmm.
Go to sleep my little baby.

Then I’d kiss her again and gently lay her in her bed and sneak out of the room before she realized I’d left.