Alright everybody, it’s time.
I’d like to introduce you to our newest Pinch of Yum family member, our little one, our fur baby, our precious girl Sage.
I decided that today I will give you the full story, start to finish, because it’s Friday, I just ate chocolate chip pancakes, I’m in my sweats, and I’m prone to oversharing in situations like this. Also because, selfishly, writing it all out is a good way for me and Bjork to document and remember the story. Dog lovers of the internet world unite!
Bjork and I have always wanted a dog. We both grew up with dogs, we both consider ourselves “dog people”, we watch YouTube dog videos at the end of long days together to feel the happy aww-cute feelings. Dog ownership has always been our dream + destiny.
Except it wasn’t, because way back in high school, Bjork actually tested positive for being allergic to dogs. Once we got married and starting the conversation about getting a dog someday, I obviously neverever whined about the allergies and was always a really supportive wife, showing rational understanding that we just might never be able to get a dog. Or… something kind of like that. Maybe.
A few months ago, we decided that it had been a few years (okay, 10) and Bjork should get tested one more time to see if anything had changed. This might have had something to do with him trying to shut down my years-long campaign for a new puppy, but, you know, that’s hard to say. Really hard to say.
You guys, honestly, why we went to his allergy appointment together is still lost on me (other than the fact that we are secretly 85 and we attend specialist appointments together? omg nooo), but there I sat in the little allergy room as he got his back all scratched up, and an hour later we walked out of the allergist’s office with good news: while he was allergic to dogs at one time, BJORK IS NOT ALLERGIC TO DOGS ANYMORE.
I took to the webs immediately. Google: puppy, new puppy, pug puppy, where to get a puppy, I love puppies, gimme a puppy.
My dream was to get a puppy, maybe a pug, probably a pug, and love it like a little baby.
And then came the curveball – on a whim one day, Bjork suggested maybe we should find a dog that we could get from a rescue organization. Um, what? A non-puppy adult dog? A rescue? Psssshhhhh. –> That was my first reaction because I’m not exactly the person who has always been passionate about dog rescue. Honestly, I don’t think I’m inherently nice enough to have even really considered that as a possibility for how we might get a dog, so this idea took a while to settle in because it was never really the deep, deep passion of my heart.
But luckily, the deep, deep passion of my heart is doing extensive, overambitious, staying-up-WAY-too-late research on anything and everything online, and the second deep, deep passion of my heart is falling in love irrationally fast with exciting ideas, so I dove into obsessive research about dogs available through rescue organizations here in Minnesota.
And that’s when I found Sage.
Except, at the time, she was named Sith. Like, Sith Lord from Star Wars.
*record scratch*
The name didn’t mean anything to me at the time because, hi, I like movies based off Nicholas Sparks novels and I don’t know anything about Star Wars. Sith what? I sort of wanted to keep the name. Strange as this connection might be, I think I felt this need to keep her name because of our experiences in the Philippines, watching older children be adopted and going through a name change and knowing how potentially difficult that could be. Not that it’s necessarily wrong, or not that it’s even close to being the same thing… it’s just the closest thing I could relate it to, and I knew that there would be challenges. Her name is her name, right? Who cares if most people will envision an evil, devilish, terrifying space alien creature when they hear it?
But as a watcher of Star Wars and a person who is more connected with the world’s perspective on the name Sith, Bjork was absolutely adamant that we change her name (“Lindsay, it would be like keeping the name Satan.”) We wanted to keep the name relatively similar, one syllable, S-something if possible, so we tried to be creative, and then started googling because sometimes being creative takes a little too much energy, and we eventually settled on the name Sage.
I actually asked Bjork if we should be reserving this name for a future child – that’s how much I like it. My love for the name has nothing to do with food or food blogging or anything like that, although funny how that works, right?
It’s just a pretty, simple name for a pretty, simple girl. It means wise one, and Sage is most definitely our little wise one.
I don’t really know what prompted me to click on her profile that day – it’s not like either her picture or her name were particularly cute (sorry baby), but for whatever reason I did, and I read the description out loud to Bjork: loves to snuggle, potty trained, crate trained, a good walker, loves car rides, doesn’t bark much. We looked at each other and smiled and just knew. This is her. This is the one.
We met her for the first time at a PetSmart, thought about the decision for about two minutes on the drive home, and then officially took her home one week ago today.
What we know about Sage: she’s about a year old, she’s a Beagle mix (DNA test pending for more information), she has the softest fur ever, she’s already had puppies, she’s extremely gentle and even timid at times, and she might be part cat for how much she loves to lean into you and blatantly ask for love, attention, and petting.
Her favorite activities are:
Snuggles.
Sleeping.
Looking at bones but not chewing them.
The dog park.
Pondering life.
And generally being the cutest, nicest, most affectionate dog ever.
One concern we have is that she’s given visitors a few low growls before warming up to them, and the hair on her back stands up when anything is even remotely stimulating (grass? birds? milk carton? hair up.) which is sort of worrisome for an anxious person like myself. But after getting my first what-if-something’s-wrong dog mom cry out of the way (I know I know I KNOW), I’m feeling better about helping her gain confidence around new people.
We love her SO MUCH, you guys. Like, maybe I am fully dorking out with tears in my eyes right now as I write those words out. Gah, Mush City! Pull yourself together, Linds. All that to say, I’m so thankful that I have a dog-loving group of internet friends that I can share her with. You guys get me.
So there you have it.
The sweet, long-anticipated story of how we found our little Sage. ♡
Update: MORE SAGE POSTS! Because we love you.
I had a best ever Russian Blue cat named “Blue” who passed away to cat heaven. I plan on getting on getting a dog for my next pet. Not sure what breed
Thank you for sharing all the news and adorable photos of your new baby, Sage! Seriously gorgeous! I send her copious amounts of smooches and nose boops!!
I lost my sweet boy, Mikey, in early December 2021, after 12 wonderful years together. He was almost 3 years old when he “rescued” me! I will always love and miss him terribly! May your years with Sage be as wonderful as my years with Mikey!
Just found your blog while looking for mushroom pasta recipes – Sage is gorgeous, and bless you for adopting her. I’m a long-time dog mom myself, so I totally get the dog love thing. Congratulations, and thank you for all the fab recipes!
I found your website from your slow-cooker quinoa-stuffed bell peppers recipe on a hunt for all the vegetarian crockpot fall recipes, and it looked awesome, and then it linked to your Sage post and that’s when I knew we were soulmates! We just adopted a rescue puppy about 5 months ago – I did not want a dog because they’re so much work and they take over your life and they might as well be kids, and then I saw his adorable little mini schnauzer/mutt face and I fell in love. He also has some confidence issues, and has emitted his fair share of “get back” warning growls, but it is SO rewarding to watch their confidence grow and to know that you are responsible for that! Franz isn’t as low-key as your pup, but we rescued an actual puppy, and shew, sometimes I wish we’d started ourselves off with an adult dog (and then his cute little wiggle-butt comes running over to me and I forget how exhausting he is)! Glad I found your blog – will def be cooking up all your delicious things in Wisconsin! (And apologies for commenting on your 3-year old post as if you just posted it – I just couldn’t quite contain my excitement!)
Sage really does look sweet & your love for her is beautiful–and flows right back to you 🙂 Clearly! Enjoy.
Sage is absolutely adorable! I fell in love with her while reading the post. Dog lovers unite!! Thank you for sharing.
I’m new to your blog. Glad to see that the 1st post I read was about Sage. You won me over on a rescue dog. We have our 2nd (now almost 12 yr old) black lab rescue girl. Couldn’t love this girl more!!! Never Never Never buy an animal when there are millions of wonderful animals waiting for a home or facing euthanasia GAAAAK!!! I’m sure I’ll enjoy your food posts too.
Great, Congratulations.
Best dog story EVER! We have a Lab/Malamute mix that we rescued 7 years ago (as a puppy) and she is totally a member of our family!! Your story made me smile (and tear up a bit, maybe…)
I just found your awesome blog/website. I am new to the Instant Pot world and I plan on making this my go to website.
Sage is adorable! I have a pug (Lillie for) and Sage could always have a friend in the future.
I am so grateful to the universe that there are nice, wonderful, animal respecting people like you and your husband around. I have tears of joy reading this blog about sweet little Sage. Thank you so much.
Congratulations on your new baby, soft Sage is beautiful! She looks like a gentle thinker. I love these kinds of smushy adoption stories because so many animals need a home. Y’all are so lucky to have found each other. <3 <3 <3
Lindsay: what a beautiful pup. She is fortunate that you found her. Your pictures are so great they grabbed my heart.
He looks very nice. I’m confident Sage is a pleasure to have around. 🙂
I found your story about Sage so moving. We had a dog who looked like her, except she was all brown, really more strawberry blonde – and she was part beagle, also. But she was also Heinz 57 (true mutt, part Lab, shepherd, Alaskan malamute) but just beautiful, sweet, fast, easy with kids, loving. Our first child. Enjoy her. She will be such a source of good feeling (and maybe a little work) that you will wonder how you ever lived without her.
She’s so cute! Both of our pets are named after food so no worries about saving them for any future humans (Yogurt and Oreo :P).
I came across your blog looking for a pumpkin granola recipe!
I am soooo glad I did. Your story about how you found and love little Sage, melted my heart and the way you describe things are both funny and cute.
You have a fan for life. Subscribing right now. Thanks for all the photos as well.
Nawww she looks so adorable!
Congrats of the new family member!
Hope you have lots and lots of great times together. 🙂 Now you can start making dog recipes haha
hello love! xo!!
i love your blog and i love your puppers, Sage. i think if i lived in Minneapolis we would be fast friends 🙂 (that was supposed to be innocent and sweet and not creepy…so anyway)….carry on with yo’ bad self and post more stuff! lol
Hi Lindsey, I was looking for a simple pot recipe for beef stew and came across your blog. I think i have been sitting here reading about you and Bjork (did I spell that right?) and Sage and all of your recipes for over an hour! Sheesh! My stew awaits! You are super funny and I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog. It made my day 🙂
Love your Sage stories. Dogs are pure love!
Thanks for adopting a rescue pet and not shopping i.e. Adopt, Don’t Shop!!!
I know she will bring you guys many hours of love and devotion as do our two furry family members “Maggie” and “Amber”.
God Bless!!!
u r wonderful…love the way you write and love your Sage…God Bless You real good.
Made the Curry Coconut Sout..OUTSTANDING!!!!
I’m totally crying, Happy, Love filled tears of joy, after reading your story about Sweet Sage… Thank you for choosing rescue <3