My Childhood Dream Came True

I posted this image in a Doberman Facebook group, sharing that ever since I was a young girl I dreamed of having a dog, but was too busy training and performing in dance that I knew I wouldn’t be able to give the time and love a dog deserved.  So instead I would draw them while I pursued my professional dance career.  (If you’ve been following along then you probably know my dance career has turned into a multidisciplinary journey with painting 😁) Anyways I shared that soon I will be living out of my converted school bus, traveling, and creating art in beautiful places.  I desire to have a companion with me in this next journey of life and I imagine my dog being strong, loyal, and loving. So I painted my future dog believing that one day my childhood dream will come true.

A lovely lady, her name is Denise Stuchul, saw my post and commented saying “Amazing story and outstanding art! I have a very special female puppy with an incredible story of overcoming. Let me know if you want to know more about her!” And as you can probably guess, I definitely wanted to know more! Then she shared these pics..

Her name is Hope and she was born with her front legs and neck partially paralyzed.

Denise and her husband worked with Hope every 3-4 hrs massaging her and working on her strength. And they built her a wheelchair out of kids’ building toys to help support her and give her the freedom to try to walk on her own.

Denise said she was so inspired by my story that she felt Hope would be a great fit and she generously offered me a discount on Hope.

I was very grateful for her offer. I knew that with my current situation I couldn’t afford to spend the money due to my upcoming Milan Art graduation travels (driving from NY to GA) plus the art fairs payments and travels\ expenses I have to pay for.  So I prayed about it and responded to her saying I greatly appreciate her making such a generous offer and I told her emotionally I would love to adopt Hope, but I explained my situation to Denise and I countered her offer with a custom painting of her choice and a portrait, but that I would totally understand if she wouldn’t accept it if she needs the cash for the puppies. Denise replied said she would need to pray about it. Then she shared with me the story of how she named her kennel…

This is what she said to me……..

“I am very excited for you and inspired once again learning that it was God that moved so mightily in your life. My kennel name is Mizpah's Kennel. Mizpah is the name given to the place where Jacob and Laban finally reached a truce after Laban chased after him. It means watchtower.

Genesis 31: 44-50

Now therefore, come, let us make a [a]covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.”

So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. Then Jacob said to his brethren, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap. Laban called it [b]Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it [c]Galeed. And Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed, also Mizpah,[d] because he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another. If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us—see, God is witness between you and me!"

Please allow me to pray over this. I will get back to you within a couple of days.”

About a day and a half later Denise shares with me that she bought this tiny home camper to modify into a dog trailer but it ended up that she could not make where the dogs would be contained wide enough. The sales of the puppies were hopefully going to cover it, but now it is not of use for her. To sell it, she would need to cover her investment or at least minimize her losses. Denise explained it wouldn’t be an easy camper to sell, as it would have to be someone with a very unique situation such as hers.

But a few days ago (around the time we connected), a woman reached out. She writes children's books and competes with dancing dogs. She felt it would be perfect for her travels, especially since the name of her dancing team is "The Garden Girls!" So she came by that day and totally loved it. They shared some incredible stories about how God worked in her life to save her from an abusive marriage and put her on the road to a new career writing the books and going to the schools to read to the children. One of the dogs on her team is deaf and still dances!

The night before Denise met this lady she prayed asking God to help her sell the camper/trailer.  (I love her honest humor in this next part 😅) Denise told me she prayed a bargain with Him which she said she knows you're not supposed to do that, but she really wanted everything and everyone to be blessed beyond comprehension. She wanted to make sure our stories would be obviously divine intervention. Denise said that if she sold the camper, she would give me Hope. Not only did the lady that met agree to buy the camper, but they agreed on the price that would exactly cover what I have in it!!! Praise the Lord!!! She said Hope is mine if I want her!

I almost couldn’t believe it.  I felt so grateful (still do) but at that point when I received these messages I wanted to pray about it and make sure this was in His plans for me and I wasn’t just acting out of emotion to adopt her. So I prayed and bam it hit me! He answered me so clearly, it gave me butterflies in my stomach 🤩 He answered me saying

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you Hope and a future!!!  I was blown away.  That is part of a the verse Jeremiah 29:11.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I love the many ways He answers  ❤️

After receiving His answer I wanted to be respectful to my parents and family about it since I am currently living with my family while my Dad and I are building my home (school bus conversion).  So we talked and agreed I could get her.

The timing to pick up Hope worked out immaculately, since she was in Ohio, my dad and I stopped at Mizpah’s Kennel on our drive back from the Milan Art graduation in GA.

I met Denise and gave her the Doberman painting that connected us together.  I was so touched when Denise opened the painting and began crying.  She said it was beautiful. 🥹🤍

Hope and I are now together and I am still in awe of how this all came about. All the glory goes to the One above. I cannot wait to see what our journey together will be.  I believe that Hope is not only a blessing in my life but will be to many others as well.  There is something truly special about her (I bet every pet owner says that 😅) but there really is something amazing about Hope and I look forward to discovering what it is and sharing her journey along the way.

❤️‍🔥Bri