LUCINDA GOES HOME! 10 APRIL 2013
	Shell writes: Lucinda (f/k/a Laurinda) has been in foster care for almost a year; we were starting to wonder if she would ever find a forever home. But as is so often the case, timing it everything. Erica says goodbye to Lucinda
Lucinda makes herself at home with Jim Lewis One of the earlier adoptions I worked for CRUSA was a shy Missouri mill girl named Kathy who was adopted by Judy & Gary Grimes of Michigan in the summer of 2006. [Kathy was a member of CRUSA's THE MISSOURI 5 Rescue Mission of April 2006, which can be seen HERE]. Lucinda with Molly Lewis in background They subsequently adopted Maddy from the Southeast [a member of CRUSA's BJ, MADDY & GOLIATH Rescue Mission of February 2008, which can be seen HERE]. but when Kathy passed away last year, their household seemed suddenly very empty and everyone - including Maddy - felt a huge hole in their hearts. Lucinda with her personalized pillow Judy found herself going back to the CRUSA website to look at Lucinda. Just as Kathy had done six years earlier, Lucinda was tugging at her heartstrings. Judy told herself that if, when they returned from their Florida vacation, Lucinda was STILL up for adoption, she & Gary would have to add her to their family. And that's just what they did earlier today! Molly & Lucinda lounging on sofa Skippy & the girls Lucinda gets comfy This past week, I picked up Lucinda from her longtime foster mom, Erica Bergin (who is now fostering TOTO2 IN ILLINOIS, seen HERE). Nap time - Lucinda left & Molly right
	It was a bittersweet parting, but the Bergin family is happy to know that Lucinda will be going to such a loving home. Judy meets Lucinda for the first time
Lucinda & mom & Jim, who is freezing his buns off Jim & I were headed to a dog show in Ann Arbor, so it was the perfect opportunity to get Lucinda to her new home. Old friends meet again in the lobby of the Hampton Inn in Ann Arbor Thanks to Erica, Tom & Nicole Bergin for taking such great care of Lucinda . . . and to Judy & Gary for driving to Ann Arbor to meet us. Picture of Kathy & Maddy We had Lucinda at our home for three days [as we can tell by all the pictures] and she was just delightful. Judy makes it official The new & improved Grimes family ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz . . . . . . Love this shot of Jim & Skippy after Lucinda drove off with the Grimes and we had checked into the hotel. They were exhausted. Skippy sez: This adoption stuff is hard work! NEAL SKRENES: Success sometimes just takes a little longer. Good story, great pictures, successful match. On 15 April, Judy writes: Lucinda is doing quite well. She wants to make up with us so badly, but just doesn't trust us completely. But after just getting her Thursday afternoon and today is Sunday, she is doing really well. She is more advanced than when we adopted Maddie & Kathy. Poor Kathy was really in bad way. But she did come around and was a happy dog.
MY BAGGAGE Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed, All nicely tucked in my warm new bed. I'd like to open my baggage Lest I forget, There is so much to carry - So much to regret. Hmm . . . Yes there it is, right on the top - Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss, And there by my leash hide Fear and Shame. As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave - I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain. I loved them, the others, the ones who left me, But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me. Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack? Or will you just look at my things And take me right back? Do you have the time to help me unpack? To put away my baggage, To never re-pack? I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see, But I do come with baggage - Will you still want me? -- Evelyn Colbath

LUCY GOES ON VACATION HERE