26/05/2026
She was never supposed to stay.
I already had three dogs. Martin knew that. We had the conversation many times — both sides, back and forth. Keep her or don't. Just decide.
But this puppy.
Chocolate merle coat — rare and beautiful. Maple's face. Maple's personality. Two years living with her mother had given me the language to understand exactly who she already was.
People would come to see her and leave with one of her sisters. Every time — relief.
A son came with his friend and connected immediately to her black sister. His mum came later — and Hazelnut, normally friendly and forthcoming, stayed back, kept to herself, then w**d on the floor in front of her. The mum felt Hazelnut had already bonded to me and took the black puppy home, naming her Luna. Still in touch.
After they left I asked Hazelnut — were you trying to stay here with me?
She looked at me and licked her nose. Maple always does that. It means yes.
I told Martin I was keeping her. I took down the advertisement.
Then the phone rang. First to enquire — wanted only the chocolate merle, arranged a visit, cancelled due to a family emergency. Now four weeks later she was calling again. I told her I had just decided to keep her. She told me her situation. I hesitated — and said she could come, but if she didn't take her, Nutmeg would not be available after that.
She came. Within minutes I knew — not the right fit. She said no to every single thing that makes this dog who she is. The licking. The noise. The energy. She left.
Wave of relief. Nutmeg became Hazelnut. She did not blink. She already knew she was staying.
Maple's face and spirit, carrying Hendricks's rare merle genes in chocolate. Cheeky, loving, sassy, vocal and as licky as the day she was born. The embodiment of everything this pack is.
She immediately chose Martin as her person. Of course she did. Now he has his own mini Maple — and at the end of the day when Hazelnut is on his pillow licking his face in their little love bubble, he looks over, one eye open, and says so glad we kept her.
www.hendricksandmaple.com
