Wednesday, December 16, 2015

I'm going to be a doggy mom!!!!


The long wait is over. I've gotten my hopes up so many times and something always gets in the way, goes wrong, falls through, and my heart breaks a little. Over the last few months, I'd given up looking. But on my birthday, heading to the folks' house, I passed the S. Washington Animal Shelter and glanced over. There was one doggy, smallish, furry faced, sitting on his doghouse looking through the fence at the cars passing. I almost pulled a U-turn, but the chicks were anxious to get to gramma's and Poppy's, so I drove on. But the fire was lit.

Two possible dogs have fallen through in the last couple of weeks, and then I got the message from a friend who'd also been turned down for adoption because her daughter was in a wheelchair. The shelter was under new management, and they were open to placing dogs with families like ours. The door was opening, all I had to do was walk through.

Yesterday, we went to look at the hopefuls, me, mom and Poppy. I've got to tell you, these people are sharp. You have to open a gate and walk a Doggy Gauntlet between two small play yards full of smaller dogs. Adorable dogs. Hopeful dogs. There are baskets of toys and these guys aren't shy. One black cocker spaniel was walking, strutting, around  with a toy in his mouth. We later found out he'd just been adopted and was waiting for his family to come pick him up. They said he hadn't put the toy down since. He was packed and ready to go. I looked back and saw Poppy bent over the fence playing tug-o-war with a little Pug and another little dustmop dog had a hold of his coat sleeve. I was afraid we were going to have to pat Poppy down for purloined pups. In all the excitement, I'd missed the sign saying, "Adoptions on Wed-Sat. 11-6". Well damn.

So as soon as the girls were in school, I headed over, cooling my heels until 11, and dove in a pile of pups. Actually I walked the medium dog gauntlet. And there he was. All the other dogs were at the far end of their runs, barking furiously, but he was sitting calmly, ears perked and head cocked, grinning. He was the only one that would come to the fence and let me pet him, and when I went in? Oh my puppy goodness! He played with me, snuggled with me, ran up and down the fence, stopping in front of me saying, "C'mon! Let's go!"

It took me 20 minutes to fill out the paperwork, listing 3 references, a vet reference and giving them my address so they could check out the environment. Then I came home to wait, figuring it would be a few days to do all the checks. Shock me silly, they called at 2:30 to tell me Max was mine. I pick him up in the morning. Is it silly that I started crying?

Oh! His name is Max, I refer to him as Maximus Puppinus, he's a 2 year old terrier-spaniel mix, house trained, and just a lovely little dog. Pics to come tomorrow.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

YEA!!!!!
Congratulations
Terry
Fla.

Anonymous said...

Dogs are the best people. Congrats on the new family member.

Don
TX

Rob said...

Attagirl!!

Lucky dog, lucky family, damn fine mom.

wirecutter said...

'bout time. Good deal.

hiswiserangel said...

Hey, wirecutter, you put the plug in your boat yet?
*hugs* thanks for encouraging me. I think Charlie would be happy.

Bobo the Hobo said...

My heart is so happy for you! Can't wait for pics!

Unclezip said...

Congrats on your new family member. Chew toys all around!

timbo said...

Way to go!
Seems like a long time ago that you lost your old dog friend. Time has become a blur for me - how long ago was that?
Most of the joy in my life comes from having my two dogs. I'm happy for you and your family!

hiswiserangel said...

It's been almost 3 years since we lost Charlie.
This is going to be my first smaller dog, and I'm
a little nervous. He's not TINY but he's not large
either, maybe 18 pounds, good sized turkey.

Bill Horvat said...

Kung Fu Dexter says cool!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YV_GYbFgnos/VnHm-Uaa7gI/AAAAAAAAC_g/CwHqFi1WnaE/s1600/20151129_144808.jpg

hiswiserangel said...

Bill, that is one fine looking beast!

North Texan said...

Awesome Angel.

Leigh said...

Congrats, Darlin'!

Leigh
Whitehall, NY

tsquared said...

Another member of the family.

Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the dog. The chicks are getting an early christmas present.

Exile1981

Strnj1 said...

The little guy in the avatar is an animal rescue. The warden found 'im wandering along side the road at death's door from starvation. They nursed him back. Something had recently bitten his tail off and they called him "stubby..."

My wife saw a little write up on a dog adoption site. The pound didn't want to put a picture up because he still hadn't fully regained his weight and they were afraid it would dissuade prospective adopters...

He's a little "teacup dachshund." Her first words to the pound workers after she got a closer look at him were, "if this doesn't work out, can we bring him back ??"

Heck, you'd have to shoot 'er to get that dog...

She renamed him, Petey...

Unknown said...

A newly discovered chapter in the Book of Genesis has provided the answer
to "Where do pets come from?"

Adam and Eve said, "Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with us
every day.

Now we do not see you any more. We are lonesome here, and it is difficult
for us to remember how much you love us."

And God said, I will create a companion for you that will be with you and
who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when
you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be,
this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of
yourselves."

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve.

And it was a good animal.

And God was pleased.

And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve, and he wagged his
tail.

And Adam said, "Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom,
and I cannot think of a name for this new animal."

And God said, " I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my
love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him
DOG."

And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them.

And they were comforted.

And God was pleased.

And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord and said,
"Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks
and they believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that
they are loved, but perhaps too well."

And God said, "I will create for them a companion who will be with them
and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations,
so they will know that they are not always worthy of adoration."

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve. And Cat would not
obey them. And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat's eyes, they were reminded that they
were not the supreme beings.

And Adam and Eve learned humility.

And they were greatly improved.


And God was pleased.

And Dog was happy.


And Cat didn't give a shit one way or the other.

hiswiserangel said...

Best. Story. Ever.

susan said...

So SO happy for you!.....they really add a LOT of life to life. God bless you.

Bryn said...

Wonderful news :) I never trust people who dislike dogs. We've had dogs sharing a home with us for nearly 30 years, and seldom regretted it. Guardians, sentries, companionship, and pretty much unquestioning loyalty - it's a lot to try to live up to....
.
Regrets you ask?
.
Only the time I slopped the left-over curry into the dogs bowl one evening, and was unpleasantly surprised the following morning.... my fault, not the dogs...

Jesse in DC said...

No household is ever really complete without a dog...Congrats Angel, and Max . Sounds like a win for ya both.

pigpen51 said...

Life is about to get better for you all. Merry Christmas.

Bryn, My friend told me about the time his German Shepard found his jar of Vaseline and ate all of it while they were gone. They came home to greased lightning. All over the whole house. He wanted to punish the dog, but he couldn't stop laughing, especially when he saw the look of horror on his ex-wife's face. Plus, like he said, it wasn't the dogs fault. They should have taken better care of it.

Anonymous said...

i hope you share pictures
and WireCutter has been skimping on the Charlie and Lucy pics

i have said it before
i prfer the company of dogs more than people

livin to ride

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Angel. Your house is full again. Just a thought on the new family member: They should make an alarm clock that sounds like a dog getting ready to vomit. Nothing makes one jump out of bed faster.

Lots of fun ahead,

RTinWeimar

Enigma4you said...

Dogs and people have a way of finding each other when the time is right. Im very happy for you.

Anonymous said...

it was meant to be...you found each other......joy is yours and his....

vaquero viejo

Chams90 said...

Way to go Angel bout time theres no love like the love of a good Dog

DoninSacto1 said...

The more I know people, the more I love my dog. Old saying in my family.

Deb said...

Congrats on becoming a dog ma! You all must be happy to the Max! Can't wait to see the photos.

Anonymous said...

The abandon ones need and give the most love. Thank you for getting Max, in Alabama we got a "Walter". I never would have picked him out of a line up, but the big guy upstairs knew it was time for another one since I had to put my last two down due to cancer within months of each other; he arranged the meeting. What a buddy, all 7.5 pounds of him, He has made my life so much more enjoyable.

I hope and pray your Max brings you as much enjoyment as Walter has me.

Anonymous said...

Small in size, but big in heart. Congratulations on your new companion. The best anti-depressant is a PUPPY!

Peter said...

Captain Fatboy, the hero of the little known and largely unexplored Northeast Texas Sea congratulates Max on his release from the shelter. He says to call him for tips on training his human.

Anonymous said...

even though we'll never meet.....I LOVE YOU

bison guy

drjim said...

Congrats, MOM!

loaded4bear said...

Good for you. My everyday carry dog is a pure bred GSD who has been with me for about 13 years. The GF unit has been working with few dog rescue outfits over the years and we've fostered quite a few. Two, a big dopey Dane and another GSD with a few behavioral issues have become permanent residents of the household. When initially asked about both, I was adamant that we didn't have the time/space/resources for these guys. Four years later, I couldn't imagine life without the pack.

The rescue world has some wonderful people and some real scum bags who are actually dog flippers and in it for the money. Sounds like you found the good side that arena. Hope you and the girls have many happy years with the new addition to your family. Can't wait to see the pictures.

Kim Karrison said...

There is no better feeling than when your dog finally finds you

Glenn B said...

Congratulations. Sounds like you were fated to come together.