Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

In hindsight, I should have started off our blog with this post, but as usual we do things a bit backwards here.

It was quite a journey having Kruizer come to live with us. We had investigated getting a service dog for a long while, but cost and timing were big barriers. Then, as if destined to be, we found out that Klassi Kritters owner Deborah Larson was looking for a match for one of her specially trained autism service dogs. Unlike many organizations out there, she had no waiting list and there was no "donation" requirement (in some cases to the tune of $5000-$10,000).

After meeting with both Deborah and puppy raisers, Meridee and Ed, it seemed this was a match made in heaven. When we saw Kruizer it was love at first sight and all was perfect. There was just on catch. In order to bring him into our home, we had to build a bigger fence. Not so hard, right?

That's what we thought until we started pricing out how much materials cost. We simply couldn't afford it. I was heartbroken, because after a pretty rough year for our family, I hated to deliver another disappointing blow to the kids.

During one conversation with friend, Tami, I told her our situation. Her answer simple. "No way will we let you not get this dog. We can raise the money, I know it." In no time she had made tons of phone calls and got the ball rolling on a small miracle.

The response was amazing! Between Tami, Meridee and Ed, and Deborah, we not only had the money we needed, but an awesome crew volunteers to help us put the fence up.

So, with more gratitude and awe then I can express, I would like to acknowledge all the hard work and money that so many so generously gave. Special thanks goes to master coordinator Tami Johnson, the talented and generous Klassi Kritters owner, Deborah Larson, and puppy raisers and fence builders extraordinaires, Meridee and Ed Cecil -- along with all the others who made it possible for Kruizer to join his boy.