Puppies-4U

Jonlynn W.

Verified owner · Jan. 2025

God has His hands in everything, and sometimes He doesn’t reveal the magic until the end, but it’s ALWAYS worth the wait! It all started by accident, really. My mother, who is in the throes of cancer, has been fighting the good fight. Our family was at odds about getting her a dog, since she missed her beloved Shih-Poo who passed two years ago, and a new puppy seemed like a ton of work. Still, my mom needed a companion to share her days with and distract her from her worries, and so the process began. For two days, my daughter and I combed the Internet, looking for a Shih Tzu or a toy poodle to perhaps fit the bill. We sent dozens and dozens of snapshots of puppies and breeders to my parents, each denied. Honestly, I was spent, but my daughter forged on, determined to find a pup to heal her grandmother’s heart. Unsure why she had a sudden feeling to look at Maltipoos, a breed we never even considered, my daughter read about this precious champagne puppy named Sam in Missouri and his experienced breeder, Gloria and sent me the picture. At first sight, I knew. Off we sent the picture, and in minutes, my parents were calling to insist I call Gloria to get Sam. When I say God has a plan, it is right here where I stop and smile, for that initial phone call sealed the deal. Gloria couldn’t be more wonderful. We talked for almost an hour about her love of breeding, her family, and the little puppy who was stealing our hearts. I felt like I knew her for years, and she answered every question in that sweet Missouri accent, never making me feel pressured or silly. After all, I knew nothing about this breed, but I do read people, and I instantly knew this was the breeder for us. We coordinated a holding fee, and Gloria was patient in helping me secure our puppy. It was then that our FIRST encounter with fate began. Shortly after that call, my father sent me a picture of a Christmas card that my mother had been carrying around in her purse for two weeks. I almost fell over! The puppy on the card was the exact picture of Sam! God is so funny. Now, Sam was supposed to come to Chicago shortly after Christmas via Wags on Wheels, a transport service Gloria frequently uses with excellent reviews. So, with Gloria’s help, we set things up. I called her every day to see about our puppy, and she always took the time to fill me in on Sam’s new milestones. We laughed and learned so much about each other, which seems unusual, but when you are buying a puppy, the disposition of the breeder equally matters. I was always amazed at her kindness and willingness to share. It was here that she asked me what name we were giving this sweet pup, since she wanted to begin calling him by his new name. Tucker, I said, and Gloria let out a laugh like no other. Our second encounter with fate had just happened, for Tucker is the name of Gloria’s grandson. Who knew? Days went by, and I flew home to Chicago to wait for Tucker’s arrival. But something told me that waiting was not going to happen, because LOVE was setting in. So, I called Gloria and asked if we could pick up Tucker instead and even asked her to tell my parents, should they call, that Tucker was arriving after Christmas. 16 hours we drove, video blogging our tales for my parents to eventually enjoy. We stopped at the St. Louis Arch for pictures. Yet again, fate was calling, for the name of the theater at the Arch was none other than the Tucker Theater. Really, God? What came next was the best part. Gloria, her husband, and granddaughter Lyla personally met up with us and handed off sweet Tucker. We took pictures, shared our travels, and truly got a sense of Tucker’s first family – a warm and gracious clan who clearly had Tucker’s best interests at heart. Gloria handed us a lovely bag with food, toys, and all his medical information. What a nice touch. Now, it must be tough for a breeder to hand over her babies to what might be viewed as a stranger. So, I wanted Gloria to know who we were and where her baby was headed. We felt like new extended family before we left, and I vowed to stay in touch and send pictures regularly. I can’t deny I felt a little tug as Tucker left Gloria, but in the best of ways. He was well socialized and took to us immediately. I think he even looked back as we got in the car and smiled at her. What a seamless and beautiful transition for him. I am forever grateful. The next day, Tucker was to meet my parents. He must have known, for he slept in my arms the eight hours home. Surprising my parents was priceless. Let’s just say they didn’t see it coming. Tucker arrived at his new home three days before Christmas to two of the most excited and loving people a dog could ever wish for. We all joke about how we want to come back as my mother’s dog. What a life! It has been almost a month since Tucker arrived. He’s the hit of the community, the owner of the house, and the greatest joy a family could ever have. My heart will forever be grateful to Gloria for creating, loving, raising, and giving such a beautiful, energetic, affectionate, and well-behaved little puppy to all of us. Our Christmas miracle came, and it was the fate of meeting such a wonderful breeder that gives me pause. Thank you, Gloria! Can’t wait to see what you bring into this world next!