We’ve met our baby at last, and there is a story to tell.

Over the years I have been struck by how many times things have happened which seem to have been ‘meant’. Little things which link together which make you think that’s got to be more than a coincidence, even when the rational side of you wants to dismiss it all. I’ve given up being rational, it happens too often!

During the first few days and weeks after losing Higgins I spent so long looking at dachshunds on social media that I now can’t log on without being inundated with images and websites to follow. It’s scary how the internet links in to your innermost thoughts! I found a Facebook page for UK dachshunds and there one evening I left a post, saying just how much I was missing Higgins and that in the near future I would be looking for a new little one to love.

And that is how I met Avril, the lovely lady of Woodlandax. Avril sent me such a lovely personal and sympathetic message when I was feeling so so sad. Avril has just started up as a breeder of dachshunds and had a dear little girl called Willow (who is adorable!) who was expecting a litter. The litter being the same mix as Higgins, a red mum and a black and tan dad.

So the fact that Avril, Willow and babies are a four hour drive away was obviously irrelevant!

One of the things which clicked with me was that Avril is determined to keep contact with the puppies and their families into the future. I’ve always regretted not knowing anything more about Higgins’ family over the years but it’s only now with social media that we can all keep in touch.

But the thing which resonated most with me was that Avril named the litter after flowers, and I found out she had named the little one I had chosen Forget-me-not. Not only are they one of my favourite flowers, they have self seeded all round my garden and Higgins casket is decorated with Forget-me-nots. Little Finlay Forget-me-not seems a perfect name.

Avril is keeping me up to date with daily photos of the puppies as they grow, and is doing amazing work acclimatising them to the world and all the strange noises that humans make, vacuum cleaners, fireworks and traffic and natural sounds like thunder. Finlay already responds to his name, and is peeing in the right place (long may that last!)

It was lovely to meet Finlay and siblings, little Willow (who is a wonderful mum) and of course Avril last weekend and we are counting the days now until we can go back to collect him.

If you want to keep up with the puppies do have a look at the Woodlandax Facebook page, they are sooo cute!

In case you are wondering if I have completely stopped being creative, don’t worry, I haven’t! I’m doing my usual thing of having several ( as in too many) projects on the go at once. A crochet blanket, a knitted shawl, a Skillshare course and there’s a cute pattern for a little dog jumper waiting in the wings. Just as well I haven’t sorted out the wool for that one yet or I’d have that on the needles as well!

The shawl came with me on our trip to Staffordshire which was just as well as we spent sooo long in traffic queues. Just as well I can knit in the car! I am now being really strict with myself and not allowing anything to come between me and the end of the second ball of yarn and a completed project.

I love the yarn. It’s Shhhhh DK from James C Brett, £4 for a 100gm ball. An accidental purchase when I unexpectedly found myself in a yarn store. Well it would have been rude not to, wouldn’t it? The colours make me think of Spring, new leaves and woodland blossoms. All the other colours are delicious too so I may just have to… No, stop it!

I must now hope that Finlay isn’t the wool eating monster that Higgins was!

Back soon…x