The story starts off on a not so favorable note when our beloved English Mastiff Bob had to be put down.  After 11 years with him, I knew his 170-pound slobbering, lovable self would be missed beyond measure.  

My grief was palatable and one day it led to a conversation with a coworker. She asked me if I was ready to get another dog? Followed by what kind of dog I would get?  I shared that I was not ready for another dog, but if I were to get one, I would get an English Bulldog.  I have always wanted a short, chubby bundle of wrinkles and love, but now was not the time emotionally or financially.  

Turns out my coworker had a friend who just got a bulldog from a breeder. He spoke very highly of the breeder, and my friend urged me to call her.  I told my friend that it was useless because even if my heart opened to getting a dog my wallet would not allow me. I shared with her that English Bulldogs cost around five thousand dollars, but she did not believe me. To prove a point, I called the breeder who confirmed that her Bulldogs do cost that much. 

I hung up the phone winning the debate. However, I was sad because I  knew I would never be able to fulfill my dream of owning an English Bulldog.  

Time to move on…

As the months passed my heart started to open to the idea of another dog. However, my husband and I said we would never just have one dog again.  We always felt guilty when we had to leave Bob alone. We simply did not want to do that to another dog.  A decision was made that we would get two dogs when the right ones come along. 

Then one night out of the blue, my phone rang and it was Stephanie Stamper.   The breeder I called months earlier.  She had saved my phone number and even started following me on Facebook.   She was calling with a message from God who directed her to give us a dog.  

I was awestruck with this generous offer. Knowing my husband and I thought it best to have two dogs, I declined. I shared our feelings with Stephanie. Who immediately said that if God wanted her to give me one dog, then she wanted to double the blessing.  However, there would be one caveat. 

The Caveat…

She wanted us to take them back to her in Kentucky and breed them no more than three times.  This seemed like a very fair and reasonable request, and we quickly took her up on her offer.  
Days later we found ourselves on a six-hour journey to the breeder’s home, questioning our sanity the whole way.  Yet, I knew it was the only feasible way I would ever have my dream of owning an English Bulldog fulfilled. 

Upon arrival we quickly noticed that Stephanie was not your be ordinary breeder.  These dogs and her puppies were the loves of her life.  She poured into them all her compassion and energy.  More than that, you could just tell that she was the real deal.  Genuine and authentically concerned for the health and happiness of her babies.  You could also sense that she was a person who lived by her convictions and her word.  

Immediately, I felt comfortable with our decision to receive these dogs from her.  
She told us to take our pick and, after spending a little while with her puppies, we chose two of the older puppies. They were 16 weeks old. One was a tri-colored redhead, and one was a stout tri-colored black bulldog. Their names came to us as if they, too, were ordained by God.  Lucy would be the redhead and Ethel would be her sidekick. If you know, you know. 

The Handshake…

The whole deal was done on a handshake.  Stephanie did not know us, yet she handed over two dogs valued at ten thousand dollars and did not even have us sign a contract that stated we would take them back to have the liters she requested.  Not only that she sent us with all their papers and a puppy starter kit.  She walked us to our car and was emotional about her babies leaving the nest. I felt like I was leaving the home of a new friend.

Weeks and months passed, and we kept in touch with Stephanie and she with us.  We defiantly formed a friendship.  I would call her for advice about the dogs and to let her know how they were doing, and she would call me to do the same. There were times she would even cry when she would hear that one of the dogs she sold had died or the time one of her dog’s owners died.  She carried the dogs and their families in her heart.  Her relationship with the dogs and their families went way beyond a normal breeder’s job description. 

surgery and more…

At one point Lucy and Ethel both needed surgeries. One for their eyes and one for their breathing and while my husband and I paid for all the regular vet bills, she paid for the actual surgeries.  As you could imagine it was not an inexpensive task.  

Thankfully the girls (as we call them) did very well with their respective surgeries and more months ticked by.  Ethel went into heat first at about 9 months old, but Stephanie told us she did not want to breed them until their second heat and for them to be about 16 months old.  Lucy went into her first heat at 13-month-old.  We knew that the time for breeding the girls was coming closer and, in a few months, we would be Kentucky bound. 

My husband and I were emotionally preparing ourselves for our 8 – 10-week separation from the girls.  They would be staying with Stephanie while she cared for them and their litters. We were not looking forward to their absence as our bed would not be as snuggly without them in it. Yes, we sleep with our dogs.  Don’t judge us, they are better than a pillow.  

Ring ring…

Then another unexpected phone call came from Stephanie. She was calling to tell us that she was retiring from breeding. Therefore, she was fully gifting Lucy and Ethel to us without having to breed them.  The call was bittersweet because even though I was relieved to not have to breed the girls and make the trip to Kentucky multiple times, I was sad because the reason Stephanie had given us. 

You see, loving the dogs the way she does took an emotional toll on her. When the dogs hurt, she hurt and she had some people not treat the dogs they bought the way they should have. Apparently paying thousands of dollars does not guarantee that people will be good dog owners. This fact tore her into a million pieces, and she offered it all up to God for his guidance. The answer she received was a loud and clear, leave the business of breeding. 

The girls are scheduled to be spayed and my husband and I have been given the gift of two beautiful loving English Bulldogs with whom we adore.  In fact, the only other people who may love them more than my husband and I are two of our grandkids, ages 4 and almost 7.  I am convinced that the only reason they come over is to play with the girls.  Stephanie’s love for them should go without saying. She gave them to a loving home with no strings attached and with that gesture she showed unconditional love. 

I still can not believe it…

We plan on paying her gift forward and sharing the love the girls have to offer with others.  We have taken them to the children’s home where I work. I will also be taking them anywhere a cuddle and a smile is needed.  Everyone who meets Lucy and Ethel instantly fall in love and they in turn have never met a stranger.  The unconditional love they have for everyone is contagious.   

I do not know why things work out the way that they do. All I know is my lifelong dream of having English Bulldogs has been granted.  Given to me without the obstacle of pesky money. If I would have concocted a plan for me to get the dogs of my dreams it would never have happened. Yet, somehow without my knowledge, a better plan was set in motion.

Trust the plan…

There is no way I could have foreseen this outcome. I simple went out on a leap of faith that God had a plan and was working through the breeder. Time and time again all my wildest dreams and desires have come true and I am confident that whatever Stephanie wants will also come to pass. Just as I am sure that the rest of my desires will be granted.  The good news is that I do not belong to an exclusive club. Everyone can have their dreams come true. All you must do is keep your eyes and heart open and believe.  Life is mysterious. 

Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”