Heaven’s Match-Maker

 In June of 2005, my wife Pamela and I said good-bye to a very special family member, our 14 year old Dalmatian, “Destiny”. In our 7 years of marriage, it was the most emotionally challenged decision that we ever had to make together as husband and wife. Even today, when we think about “Destiny” our hearts are overcome with emotion and our eyes well up with tears. We still miss her unconditional love, her warmth and tenderheartedness. After her passing, we both said the all too familiar phrase, “Never again, no more animals”! Those emotional words, once filled with heartfelt pain and sorrow, as you will soon learn, were the farthest emotions from our true hearts. 

She came into our life, as if an answer to ones deepest most personal prayers, as if the Lord himself sent her from his band of angels from heaven above. She’s a warm and loving shepherd who selflessly gives of herself. She follows her calling from God, faithfully tending her flock of Dalmatians each and every day from sun-up to sun-down. Those of you that have been blessed with having this special person touch your life know that we’re talking about Pati Dane, founder of Dalmatian Rescue of South Florida.

 Though we indirectly new of Pati and her husband Mark through mutual friends at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, our personal relationship with Pati really began through a simple e-mail. After a careful cautious interview and spending time getting to know us, exploring important personality factors, our home-life, finding out our expectations and what we were looking for in an adoption, overcoming the challenge of finding a special personality that would be compatible with our two Macaw parrots, and determining the best match for our lifestyle and personal emotional needs – From the beginning, we knew in our hearts that we were dealing with a person of integrity who not only was protective with her animals but sincerely had our best interests at heart as well. Through telephone conversations, e-mail correspondences and winning her approval, Pati told us that she just might possibly have the perfect match for us – A 21 month old male Dalmatian by the name of “Artemus”. We made arrangements to visit “Artemus” and the rest of the Dalmatians at Pati’s foster home. So one sunny Sunday afternoon, we drove down to North Miami Beach to visit the gang and check out one particular little boy, “Artemus”. When we first arrived we were greeted by Pati and was introduced to four of Dalmatian Rescue’s many Dalmatians; one of them being “Artemus”. Well, “Artie” was more interested in catching lizards than he was in his new visitors. We also visited with the other Dalmatians and Pati graciously spent much time getting to know us and answering all of our questions. We explained to her that we never make quick emotional decisions and that we needed some time. After much prayer, my wife and I both agreed that we weren’t ready to make a decision but we both felt led in making a commitment to supporting Pati’s ministry (Dalmatian Rescue of South Florida) with monthly donations. Like us, Pati has a special love and has a deeply committed passion for this breed and we wanted to do everything that we could to support her.

 The month of September quickly came and went. During this duration of time we received an e-mail invitation to Dalmatian Rescue’s 2006 October Fall Frolic at Topeekeegee Yugne Park in Hollywood, FL. This was one of two bi-annual events where old and new Dalmatian owners, along with their friends, family members, Dalmatian foster parents and interested supporters get together. This was a chance for many of the Dalmatians to reunite with an old friend. Owners to brag about their best friend and hear lots of “tails” about others! Enjoy a fantastic barbeque and great fun! An opportunity to make new friends! Snap a photo with your best friend at the antique fire truck that was provided by Frank & his Dalmatian, Buddy. This was a time and place for special moments to be captured with video camcorders and digital cameras. A great time that was enjoyed by everyone!

 Unfortunately my wife had to work that day and was unable to attend the Fall Frolic event so I decided to go solo. If you are a believer in God’s Devine Appointment, well needless to say, this day was truly mine and mine alone. Out of all the Dalmatians that were selected to attend the event, “Artemus” just so happened to be one of the select few chosen to participate. I had absolutely no idea or clue that he would be there. I remember sitting on the seat of one of the picnic tables and having “Artemus” first come over to see me, give me a few sniffs and then throw both of his paws around each side of my neck on my shoulders and could actually feel him draw me close, physically giving me a hug with lots of kisses. A strange feeling came over me. At that very moment, time stood still as my mind emotionally took a vivid snapshot of an emotional image that was connected deep within my heart. I really felt that the Lord was providing me with a perfect match and that this was His special gift of love to us. I felt like I was being blessed as this animal’s heart and soul was completely yoked with mine. We spent almost every moment of the day together, going on short little walks, playing and rough-housing together and getting familiarized with one another. As the event was coming to a close, I remember wishing if only the day could last forever and dreaded the fact that I had to say good-bye to “Artie”.

 That night when my wife arrived home from work, I shared the day’s special events with her and told her about my entire day’s experience with “Artemus” and then totally dropped the subject and said no more. That very night I put my face to the floor of our home and prayed to the Lord for His will (not mine) and that if this wasn’t from Him to please just take the situation away and remove the emotions that were in my heart. This was only the second time in my lifetime that I ever prayed that prayer. The first was just before I asked my wife for her hand in marriage and I asked the Lord if this is really the woman that He had chosen for me. One thing though, I think that I might have forgotten the part about asking Him to take her away if she wasn’t from Him. Only teasing, honey!

 Getting back to the suspense of the story - That very next morning, my wife walked through the door of our office, at home, with her ritual morning cup of coffee and said out of the clear blue sky, “Let’s go get him”! I thought to myself, “If this isn’t confirmation from the Lord; then nothing is”! After one last serious discussion with my wife about the commitment to provide “Artie” with a Forever Home, I made the phone call to Dalmatian Rescue, spoke with Pati Dane and worked out the details of “Artie’s” adoption and transition to his new Forever Home.

 Today is Sunday November 12, 2006 and it’s been exactly 2 weeks since “Artemus” got his Forever Home with us. “Artemus” is such a good boy! There doesn’t seem to be any problems with either one of the Parrots. A few nights ago, our female Blue and Gold Macaw parrot, Sweetie got down on her lower perch and tilted her little head upside-down, sideways, and displayed a sign of affection toward “Artie” by wiggling her little tongue on his nose when he came over to see her – That’s the exact same way that she gives Pamela and I kisses. I thought that it was very touching to see her do that as they were both eye to eye level with only the bars of the cage separating them. The act of affection was very gentle and loving and “Artie” didn’t flinch one time. It was awesome!

 Now Baby is a total different story. You have to know that Baby, our male Harlequin Macaw parrot has an IQ of a 4-5 year old child (just as Sweetie does). Well Baby has always had an impish, mischievous, devilish little boy sense of humor. Lately he has been hanging by his toe-nails in an upright position (just like a bat) from the top of his cage and waits like a cat in a bush for “Artemus” to scrounge birdseed from around the skirts of his cage. Cold and calculating as Baby is, he then quickly squirts a shot of pee at him (3-4 feet) and immediately starts laughing hysterically; like a mad-man in a very wicked high pitch human voice. Does he have a sick sense of humor; or what? Little “Artie” figured out what was going on and started moving around to opposite ends of the cage each and every time Baby tried to line him up for another squirt. He even verbally tries to lure him over by calling “Artie” over to the cage in a demanding voice saying, “Come here!” “Get over here!” It seems to be a strategic game that they play together. Both birds really like “Artie” because of his non-threatening gently demeanor. We thought that you might get a real kick out of this story.

 Artie just loves his private king size bed in our front guest bedroom. He goes from bedroom to bedroom lounging comfortably under the ceiling fans. He loves the front guest bedroom as it overlooks the front of our house and he can sprawl out on his 4 king size Austrian goose down pillows and view the street, watch and patiently wait for us to arrive home when we step out.

 These past few nights have been absolutely gorgeous. We’ve been sleeping with all of the windows open enjoying the cool night breezes. In the early morning hours when it gets a little chilly “Artie” cuddles up to us (on-top of us). The three of us cover ourselves up and get nice and toasty together under the warm blanket. He absolutely loves it and is so physical with us. His emotional level mentally is unbelievable. It just warms our hearts just to hear his lazy morning groans as we gently take turns scratching and rubbing his little tummy and chest as we cuddle together in the wee morning hours. He just lives for those special moments. As I said earlier, we’re all on the exact same emotional level and completely yoked with one another emotionally. To better describe the feeling – It’s like a very special romance and falling in love for us as well as for him. “Artie’s” “our boy”! It just amazes us how fast that we’ve all bonded together. He is so protective of our home and especially a little overprotective of us. We’ve been giving him a new toy each and every day – He has a soft stuffed squeaking fleece fabric Giant Hamburger (w/lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onion hanging out of it in fabric), Tennis Balls, Racket Balls, Heavy Duty Large Rubber Chew Bone, Mini-Tire on a Rope, Floating Rope Water Throw Toy. He just loves to fetch. This morning, Baby was calling Artie again trying to get him to come close to his cage. He always says to “Artie”, “Come Here!” – “Get Over Here!” in that demanding voice of his. We’re teaching both Baby and Sweetie to say “Artie”! That should be an easy task because both birds individually call each of us by our first names – “Pamela”!, “Richard”! It’s a real hoot!!

 Everything is working out wonderfully. “Artie” has really stabilized himself with us in just a few short weeks. As you all might have sensed, we’ve put our heart and souls into this adoption. As we had stated earlier, emotionally, we are perfectly yoked with him and has totally emotionally bonded with us too. Pamela and I wish to thank Pati Dane from the bottom of our hearts for her professionalism and her participation in being the main catalyst in God’s Special Plan for “Artie’s” life. It’s amazing how He uses special people in special ways. We pray that He continues to touch Pati’s life as only He can. Dalmatian Rescue, “thank you for all that you do… all the day through”. We love you so very much!

 Richard and Pamela Kutcher

“Artemus”, Baby and Sweetie