As we stepped into the humid August day, Ellie and her eleven siblings arrived in a mid-’80s gray Volvo 240 station wagon from Waldoboro, Maine.
The sturdy Mainer driving the car embodied the same steadfast reliability as the rolling Swedish example of longevity that carried them here.
She had responded to our inquiry about her farm-raised boxer and lab puppies, which were vet checked, first shots given, and available for adoption at a price of $250 each with a refund offered when the dogs are spayed or neutered.
When we spoke on the phone, the puppy owner was boiling chicken giblets, fresh green beans, and carrots for the newly weaned puppies, while simultaneously doting on them.
She explained that this litter of twelve puppies was an unplanned surprise brought about by her 200-year-old farmhouse’s loose door latches, which allowed a lovestruck male chocolate lab to sneak in and mate with the calm lady boxer breed who spent most of her days sitting beside the woman’s cancer-stricken husband on the couch.
Fortunately, her husband was now in remission.
Our family had lost a loyal and loving Llewellin setter named Nickson six months prior, and we were ready to bring another pup into our lives.
Although I tried to convince my wife of the need for another dog for safety reasons, she eventually agreed to come with me to meet the breeder and her puppies in the parking lot of a hardware store in Searsport, Maine.
Upon seeing the car filled with squirming puppies, we carefully selected Ellie, the solitary black pup who had chosen to sit alone in the far back corner.
As my wife cuddled her, it was clear that Ellie would be a perfect fit for our family.
The breeder refused to accept payment for Ellie, trusting us to follow through on spaying or neutering the dog as we had agreed.
Since adopting Ellie, she has proven herself to be an exceptional dog in many ways.
She never had a potty accident inside our home and quickly learned to ring sleigh bells hung from the doorknob to let us know when she needed to go outside.
Ellie also proved her intelligence by learning how to open doors with her nose, although she prefers using her paw as a more effective tool.
Ellie is a fierce watchdog but has an incredibly loving spirit.
Her hearing is extraordinary, and she can catch multiple biscuits thrown in quick succession without missing a single one.
We believe that her eyesight is equally impressive, and she enjoys spending most of her time watching the yard from a bay window, even late into the night.
Ellie’s interactions with our granddaughter demonstrate her gentleness, as she patiently endures minor ear-pulling, all while maintaining a hopeful expression that the child will soon stop.
Her face often seems to portray both love and grouchiness simultaneously, but it’s clear that Ellie never forgets a face or the accompanying head scratch.
Over time, Ellie has become a beloved fixture on our Facebook page, with many of her followers offering words of encouragement and support as she deals with recent joint pain.
She may not be soft and regal like some dogs, but in many ways, Ellie embodies the same dependability and endurance that make the Volvo 240 wagon a classic choice for anyone looking for a sturdy, reliable companion.