I like to think that my "lost" beloved Doggy girl, sent me this pup!
As some here know, I lost my very special Aussie/mix girlie, Tallulah to a 3 year battle with cancer in June. There hasn't been a day that has gone by since that I haven't mourned her--greatly, though I've tried hard to get out and walk and do all the things to move on. But, getting another dog was just not something I could consider.... until fate stepped in.
By happenstance I logged on to my local animal shelter after hearing they were trying to raise money for a new shelter (and I was curious as to where that stood in terms of a bond referendum). There on the front page were only 5 dogs for adoption, but this one very petite little 9 mo Aussie mix looked back at me with the eyes and beautiful coloring of my lost girlie. I still wasn't ready for another dog and still very much mourning my last, but after trying to put it out of my memory overnight, I found myself heading over there the next morning--as though someone else was controlling the car.
So, yup, in keeping with my theme of "wild female" stars of the 30s-40s, and after finding the shelter had already named her "Sophie", she is now mine and now "SOPHIE TUCKER"-- an old vaudeville star that my parents and grandparents used to talk about and was famous for her song, "Last of the Red Hot Mamas"...
While she's going to be much smaller than my Tallulah, Sophie Tucker has so much of my last girlie in her, I have to think it was meant to be. Even from the fact that when I called up the local newspaper yesterday online to check snow totals (and something I haven't done in months), there was Sophie staring back at me in an article about the new shelter!
My gorgeous Tallulah as a pup and adult, just before her loss:
and Sophie Tucker in her newspaper debut (apparently photographed for the story the day before I got her):
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130224/NEWS01/302240044/Larimer-Humane-Society-seeks-new-animal-shelter?nclick_check=1
After thirteen years, to have another wildly exuberant pup in the house is..... a treat. 
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And may you both be blessed to have found each other! 
The resemblance to Tallulah is striking, indeed.
Actually, i thought I'd wait at least a year or two and probably go with a dog as different from my last as possible. This isn't what I'd intended, but I like to think it was meant to be.
Your gal was gorgeous. 
Even with the inevitable puppy accidents (though she's mostly house-broken), how wonderful it is to have a warm furry babe to cuddle. Congrats on yours as well. 
We lost a long lanky black short hair cat to snake bite a year ago
and this summer a long lanky short hair cat simply walked into our house,
sat down in front of the cat dish area and said " Here I am".
Only difference between the 2 cats is the new one is blue grey. Otherwise same build, same size.
In all other respects, he acts like he has lived here forever.
Our older cat, as well as the dog, never turned a hair when the new cat marched into the house. 
I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been looking at rescue sites myself. But my heart isn't there yet.
I wish you many years of enjoyment with lucky Sophie! 
Sophie was meant to be.
"never again", "too soon", "not another ____".
But deep down, we are often more ready than we realize....and it takes circumstance, or fate, or whatever you call it, to intervene.
This is what happened for me too, very shortly after losing my last cat. I just couldn't imagine getting another one with all the hurt I was still feeling....but, I have another cat. 
She's all bounce and energy tonight, given the snow kept her cooped up. But,wildly affectionate as well.
Good on you for going for this doggy! The shelter had labeled Sophie as the ultimate "Go Getter" so they were pleased to have someone who'd raised an energetic herding dog before adopt her. Sounds like you are perfect for that ACD.
Heavens, I have to say that after a 13 year old that had spent the last three years with abdominal cancer, a 9 month old highly energetic Aussie is just about turning my world upside down--but in a good way. I've got a couple weeks to try to get her on some kind of routine (that will allow me to go to work) and her happy and stimulated.... Trying to get her to nap more than a half hour continuously during the day, is still quite a trick, right now, even with a 4 1/2 mile fitness walk and a half hour at the off leash dog park! But, she has learned several critical commands in the past week, is doing excellently on the leash, and is increasingly respecting the boundaries.
But, I do love that I've got a happy four-legged ("get me off my ass" motivator again!
Go get your babe and enjoy!
My employer blocks Facebook & photobucket so I can't link a better image at present.
I don't like the shelter's name for her so I'm going to think up something else, once I know "who she is".
She's 3, has a total Badass Cattle Dog personality, and already thinks she owns me.
She's going to be a great long-distance walking partner but does need some leash manners which will come with time & practice.
And she's very vocal, which is a change since my old guys are mostly/all deaf & only grumble when they see squirrels.
The downside of having her is that now Hank's age and state of unwell-ness is REALLY obvious.
He's 13 and has had a Grade 5 heart murmur for 3 years. He's got a hard time breathing & getting around.
I know his time is approaching faster than I'd thought, and it is going to kill me. He is #1 Dog. He's my heart.
I always knew it was unavoidable, but now it's really real.
The circle of life, right?
Good on you... My girlie is starting to be really good on the leash, but I started with a (very necessary) gentle leader to keep her from pulling and going nutso after the zillion neighborhood rabbits. She hates that gentle leader soooo much (even though she'll tolerate it once we get walking) that now, she's started to restrain herself from pulling when I simply use her regular collar. If she starts to pull and cross sides again, I simply pull the gentle leader out of my pocket and show it to her--LOL... She tends to calm right down again.
I know how you feel with the older dog. My Tallulah was my very special girl and I have to admit still feeling a bit like I betrayed her getting this one--even though it has been eight months. But, had she lived I think she would have "forgiven" me... The hard part was when the new pup found one of her old toys--a soft stuffed squeakie duck that Tallulah had had for many years, never being one to rip up her toys. Well, of course Sophie dispatched it to shreds in minutes...I'm guarding the big old stuffed dog that comforted Tallulah on the bed in her last years (seen in the photo)... Sophie knows better on that one!
hugs to Hank... May he find many to welcome him when he crosses that ultimately crosses the rainbow bridge.
And best wishes on the new one! (and may we both find that elusive patience with our herding dog mix pups)
