Blog Post 3: A New Home Base
It feels almost surreal to be writing this update. I can’t tell you how many nights I lay wide awake, wondering if I was doing the right thing, if I should be doing something different, if I was crazy, if this was actually impossible.
But that feeling I’ve written about before - the small voice in the back of my head saying “keep going, keep looking, it will all work out” - stayed with me even through my moments of doubting myself. It seemed, for month after month, that finding the property (and home) that checked every box on my wishlist would be impossible. And to be fair, I did change my criteria and my vision throughout the process - especially when I took a new job in South Florida that required me to look south, instead of west.
In any case, I did end up finding what I think is the perfect home base for the start of Sammie’s House in earnest. For the past (almost) two years, we’ve been growing our SH community, working with shelters and other rescues to help coordinate pulls and transports of dogs on euthanasia lists in high kill shelters. Our reach is over 6,000 friends and growing every day! I am so thankful for our network - and beyond thrilled to share the next chapter with them, and with all of you.
We moved in two weeks ago. I had intended on sharing my thoughts throughout the search, buying, and closing processes but the search seemed so hopeless for so long, and then the buying and closing happened so quickly (in less than 30 days), that I barely had time to think much less write my thoughts down! And now looking back, it hardly matters how we got here. All that matters is that we’re here now.
Lorida, Florida. It’s cow country in the south central region. Cattle ranches as far as the eye can see, only punctuated by a series of marshy lakes. One such lake is the giant, bass filled Istokpoga, which is the lake we live next to now. The property is almost 1.25 acres, completely fenced, full of beautiful native Florida flora. We immediately have set to work fixing up the yard to make it safe and fun - Sammie has been an excellent supervisor.
We are very close to welcoming home our first resident. I have been speaking with the rescue community in Highlands County - an impressive and dedicated group of volunteers - who will help facilitate for us. I can’t wait to introduce you to whoever we bring home! I have so many plans for our future here. In the meantime, enjoy these pictures of our new space.
