Why THIS dog?

  Looking over my beautiful girl, Gracie, with her new litter of puppies, I realized it has been quite a journey. It started five years ago, with the death of my previous dog and most loved companion of twelve years.  After being lonely and missing that companionship I started thinking of having another dog in my life.  I started researching, soul seeking and then finally traveling to add Gracie to my life. 

  Now I wonder how I got to this point?  How did I decide on this dog?  Was it a rational planned decision, was it from the heart, or did she have something to do with it?  After rolling it over for a few days I guess it is all the above.  It seems obvious why we want to have a dog.  However, how did we end up with the ones in our lives?  Is the answer that simple?  Sometimes I would say,"They picked me."  Perhaps partly, or was it I picked them and they were gracious enough to let me in their life.