And though I don't always have sick kids we've been through a lot of illness this winter. We've dealt with RSV, croup, ear infection, colds, stomach viruses (my least favorite), allergy infections and just plain snotty noses! Not fun. But we're surviving. Every time we're in the middle of something (funky dirty diaper, snot down to our chin, whiny and weepy for no apparent reasons, the ER, late nights and early mornings) I often get overwhelmed thinking there's no end in sight. Then the Lord gives me peace to know... it will be over soon. They can't be sick forever... right?!?!
I failed to mention this a couple of weeks ago but have been thinking about it and I think it needs to be shared. While we were visiting family for Christmas in Angelo among many conversations we had we talked about dogs... who likes what breed... what breeds are the best at this... blah blah blah. During this conversation I mentioned that Brandon has always wanted an English Bulldog. We have looked into them a couple of times but they were just too expensive. Hearing this my uncle mentions an add he saw in the paper about an English bulldog puppy for $98. We all agreed it must have been a typo but he looked it up and we emailed the owner. The chance to get a puppy that usually runs $800 to $2,000 for less than a hundred dollars was worth looking into.
We heard back from them. They recently moved out of the country, were missionaries and because of their work and involvement on the mission field they were unable to spend enough time to train and care for their 11 week old puppy. So they had a few questions for us like... how can we know you will take care of our baby... are you a God fearing home... have you had an English bulldog before and do you know anything about them. These are a few.
After a few emails back and forth about who we are, that we are a God fearing family and would make a great loving home for the puppy, they decided we were the family they wanted to give him to! The puppy was free, they said they didn't want any money for him they just wanted a good home for him. The $98 was to change his ownership papers in order to ship him to us. This was all very exciting!
We got down to the email they were going to send us the information about wiring money and I got a very sick feeling, like I had swallowed a brick. Something was not right. Thanks to The Holy Spirit, Kayla Weaver and Google we learned it was a fraud! A total scam! These people fit the profile to a T off of Google's warning about an English bulldog scam. I can't even begin to tell you how foolish I felt. I told those people about who we are and even gave them my number and address.. some things I wouldn't post on here. I felt so violated.
Brandon gave me comfort in knowing I hadn't shared anything with them they couldn't have found out from googling our names. But still, I can't believe I was so close to falling into their trap. I can't imagine how many people actually send them money and wait for the dog to show up! It was wild. I have learned my lesson... I will never trust my uncle again! Just kidding :)
