Eddy's Adoption Story

Finding Ranger

That’s when I found Ranger on Petfinder. GSPs don’t come through Red Waggin’ very often, as I’ve learned, and there was something about his sweet eyes that immediately caught my attention. He also looked remarkably like our other GSP, Maya, except about three times her size.

From the beginning, Red Waggin’s adoption process stood out to me. It was much more thorough than anything I’d experienced before: a long and detailed application form, photos of our home, a veterinary check, a home visit, and conversations about whether we would be the right fit. Rather than feeling excessive, it reassured me that this was a rescue that took seriously the responsibility of placing an animal in someone’s care.

During my first conversation with Carrie, I learned how little was known about Ranger’s life. He had been found roaming the streets in Eastern Washington and was estimated to be around eight years old. While in foster care, he was badly attacked and nearly died. He was eventually brought to Bellingham for care and, incredibly, was treated at the same emergency hospital where we’d lost Jasper. That connection hit me hard.

Coming home

We drove to Seattle to meet him while he was still recovering. He was in rough shape. The next day, a Red Waggin’ volunteer brought him north to us, and Carrie suggested that we start by medically fostering him so the rescue could remain responsible for his ongoing veterinary needs. We had him through the holidays, and somewhere along the way, our house just started to feel complete.

We renamed him Eddy after the atmospheric river storm that hit the same weekend we met him. We’re also a whitewater family, so eddy, the calmer current that forms alongside the main flow of a river, felt pretty perfect.

Our story isn’t one where adoption magically erased everything that came before. We don’t know what Eddy experienced before he came to us, but we suspect he endured abuse and spent much of his life outside. His body has been through a lot, and we’re still working through medical and behavioral challenges. He is also a very large, very heavy dog who has absolutely no idea that he is either of those things, so life with a young child requires some extra awareness and management.

But once we found each other, I made a commitment to him.

Finding a rescue too

Throughout those first few months, I was so struck by Carrie’s unwavering dedication, honesty, and integrity, and by the way Red Waggin’ consistently put Eddy’s wellbeing first. I believed in what they were doing so much that I started volunteering while we were still fostering him.

Today, I help conduct the same adoption checks that once impressed me so much as an applicant, along with preparing adoption paperwork, occasionally transporting dogs, and helping at adoption events.

I went looking for a dog and somehow found a rescue, too. And Eddy found his forever home. ❤️

About Domenica

Domenica first found Red Waggin’ while searching Petfinder for a new four-legged family member. After adopting Eddy (formerly Ranger), she was so impressed by the rescue’s dedication to its animals and the care and thoughtfulness that went into finding them the right homes that she decided to jump in and volunteer herself.

Today, Domenica works mostly behind the scenes, helping review adoption applications, conduct veterinary and property checks, confirm pet policies, and prepare adoption paperwork. She also occasionally helps with dog transports and adoption events, and somehow prepares cat adoption packets despite freely admitting she knows very little about cats.

In her day job, Domenica is a Senior Manager and leads a team focused on research, investigations, data quality, and process improvement. As it turns out, spending your workdays researching things, asking lots of questions, and making sure information checks out translates surprisingly well to screening potential adopters. 😂

Originally from Brazil, Domenica lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, young son, and two very spoiled German Shorthaired Pointers, Maya and Eddy (who she rescued from RWR and who led her to volunteering in the first place). When she isn’t working or volunteering, you can usually find her chasing her 3yo around, swimming (preferably somewhere cold), hiking, gardening, baking bread, or spending time on the river with her family. She is particularly passionate about tulips, good coffee, and dogs who have absolutely no concept of their own size.