Born on 16/9/2013 to a ruby dad and a Tri-colour mum. We first saw Dexter on an NZ auction site, we weren’t really looking for a dog. We’d just finished dog-sitting a close friend’s Cavalier (called Portia) and we were feeling a bit bereft. So we were looking at all the pretty dogs on the site and ooh’ing and aah’ing. Husband and I would send each other links of dogs we liked and there’d be some comments on how pretty they were, then, we spotted Dexter. Until this point, it had been harmless wishful thinking, Dexter was a game changer. For the first time we seriously talked about getting another dog. Seriously discussed logistics, we’re a very outdoors family - how would it be having a dog tag along whilst we go kayaking or tramping or hunting or camping. We talked about a few trips that we already had planned and how it would affect them - made enquiries to the hotels we’d booked to see if they were dog friendly - they were not. So we decided we’d just have to cancel the bookings if we got a dog. We mulled it over for a few days and about a week later, husband came to my office for lunch. We were still talking about Dexter (I’d already named him at this point), and we discussed the fact that the only reason we hadn’t bought him was because we couldn’t go and check him out. We live in the North Island and Dexter lived in the South Island. Husband wasn’t in a rush though, so we went to my desk and did a bit of research on pets as cargo. Turns out Air NZ shipped pets nationally for a reasonable fee (cheaper than if I were to fly!) - and the flight would take 1 hour and 10 minutes. All that was left to do was to contact the breeder and see if they would be willing to fly him up. The first conversation wasn’t very long, for some crazy reason, I was really nervous. We discussed his personality, his parents, and lots of other things I can’t remember now, but the main thing was that she would be willing to fly him up. Again, the only thing holding us back was that we couldn’t see him, so I told M (names as initials to protect the innocent), that we would like to have a think about it. That evening, we spent mostly looking at pictures of Dexter on the auction site and bouncing between we can’t because we have a great life and we must because we can give him a great life. Little did I know that I was already in too deep and would have no alternative. Dexter had captured mine and husband’s heart and there was nothing else for it. Dexter Evan was joining the H family. I called M the following day to discuss payment terms, etc. made calls to the airline to check out flights and get more information and called all the hotels we’d already booked for our trips and cancelled the bookings. Then, I called other hotels that were pet friendly and booked them instead. The following day, I made the full payment for Dexter, so that was it, all sealed, just needed him delivered. That in itself was a bit of a mission as I had been given some information by the airline, that he couldn’t fly until after his 12 week vaccinations. But we were going away at the end of the week that he would be 12 weeks old. Didn’t want him to turn up on the Monday and then we go away for 5 days on the Thursday. So we arranged with M that we would fly him up when we got back 15th December 2013. Man, that felt like such a long time away. When I went to book his flights, they said I couldn’t book more than 30 days in advance. I explained why I wanted to and the lovely Air NZ lady told me they could fly from 8 weeks - that meant Dexter could possibly fly as early as the following weekend!! I contacted M (who had been sending me pictures and little notes about Dexter and what he’d been up to all this time) and explained the mix up, she was fantastic and said “Let’s fly him!”
The week that followed felt like a year as I counted down to the day that Dexter would join his forever home. Each day M would send through a picture to keep us up to date with his progress. Each day I’d fall in love a little bit more. The day finally came that Dexter was to fly, both M & I were nervous. M sent a few text messages through to let me know he was ready and safely at the air cargo terminal. I promised that I would return the favour and text as soon as he landed. The next 2 hours were the longest. I made some lunch, paced the floor, vacuumed, paced the floor. Went over to my friends house. J was awesome and kept me occupied whilst I fretted. Finally the time came to go to the airport and meet Dexter for the first time. The story from here will be in multi media format. Each video and picture you see will help to tell Dexter’s story at his forever home. Dexter - we are so pleased to meet you and so blessed to be allowed to take care of you.
