A Sad Dog's Tale - or When We Went on Vacation Without Charlie

Charlie at Christmas - just before our Vacation

It's been a while since the last post - far too long, in fact - and Charlie decided that he wanted to do this one in the words of a Dog.  I will simply translate his story of our 2 week vacation to Disney World and how he felt while we were gone.

"I liked turkey days. Many treats and happy times. Many silly times when I was told to hold still while I wore my silly hat and collar. Then the BIG TREE was emptied of all the shinies and the turkey smell went away. The loud machine roared and then it was quiet and Mom had 'cleaned up after Christmas,' or that's what they said. My toys were ok and that's all that mattered. I checked and all my parts were still there, so THERE, loud machine!

My mom and dad (the soft Alpha and the one who cuddles) told me they were going away and would be back soon. They were very nice to me, patting me and calling me GOOD BOY, which I like, but I sensed some nervousness on their part. What did they mean "going away?" What was that and how would it affect my walkies and treats?

Those big soft boxes on wheels grew and got fatter with stuff pushed inside as dindin turned to walkies and then snack time. There was something new in the air - a smell that was a bit bitter and sweet at the same time. They kept saying they were "excited but nervous" about leaving me. What did that mean? They brought a NEW FRIEND to meet me. Mom said she was Peggy and that she would play with  me and give me snackies. That's nice, but why not Mom? What was happening?

Breakfast turned to snack time after walkies followed by naptime and then to lunch time and walkies and snack and walk time once more. It got dark, it got light and then the big boxes got moved into the living room. Peggy came to see me and we got to like each other. Grumpy CAT was not pleased. He told me this had happened before and that they were GOING AWAY. What was that? Breakfast had always turned to naptime and lunch time and walkies before dindin and bedtime for as long as I could remember. The last time someone had GONE AWAY I had been ALONE. I was not pleased. I put my head down flat on my paws in protest when I saw them get dressed in their outer fur. I turned my head away. They smiled and patted me. I stayed not pleased until they left, then ran to the window to see if they would come back. They did not. My protest had not been noticed! The CAT was also displeased. He opened one eye and closed it again to nap. I felt I had no choice but to do the same.

Later, the door opened. My tail wagged and my tongue came out. I was happy. My protest HAD been noticed and my humans were home. NO, it was Peggy, the quiet one who smelled nice and was calm. Where were Mom and Dad? She patted me and said it was ok and put on my leash. I went walkies with her, but it was different. She gave CAT and me a snack. We would not eat them, so she put them by our dishes. She stayed to pat us, then left. All alone with CAT again. I was not pleased. After finally deciding to eat my snack - but not my food - I went to sleep. The door opened again. Once more I was fooled. It was Peggy. I was growing to like her, even though when she came, Mom and Dad were GONE. CAT was no company, so I was glad that she sat with me and brushed my hair. After some time, even CAT grew to like her and purred when she brushed his hair. How odd. Days went by, breakfast into light and snacks and walkies, then naptime until she came for lunch and on and on. She gave me extra treats like peanut butter smushed into my food and little bits of cheese. At least someone hadn't forgotten me. Even CAT was not being grumpy. I guess he was happy that I was there.

Years later, the door opened and it was Mom and Dad! They laughed when I gave an undignified squeak when I saw them. It just came out! I was so happy! They were back! I got all my favorite toys to show them. CAT was winding around them and me. All was right with the world! We had walkies, we had snack, I napped and they were still there! At night time I slept with Mom and during the daytime I slept with dad. It was good and right. I kept peeking to make sure they were really there. When Peggy came by, I was happy to see her, but I kept rolling my eyes toward Mom while they were making those annoying talking noises. My tail wagged and my eyes rolled. They laughed. But it was good and everyone was happy. I don't know what "missed means," but I think it means that while they were away I was not happy and now that they are here, I am a happy boy. Even CAT is trying to scratch me again, so all is good. Time for a nap! That is my story."

Charlie Gets Sick

Poor Charlie

Charlie got sick this weekend. We don't really know why: garbage gastritis (he tends to try scarf stuff from off the ground outside), too many treats (yep, we're sometimes guilty of this), giving him the wrong treats (there's one that makes him yucky if he gets it too often), sneaking something nasty from Munchie's litter box, a cold, a virus or just clearing out his system.

Dogs get sick. It's a fact of life that no matter how healthy your dog is, you will eventually face the fun and joy of diarrhea, vomiting or both. There is a reason the old saying is "sick as a dog!" The good thing is, the healthy dog rebounds with a cold wet nose, wagging tail and happy snuggles with relative speed. The problem is, it's  never fast enough when you feel slightly panicky that he's sick to begin with.

I woke up Saturday morning to (if you will excuse the expression) a huge pile of "puddin' poo" on the bathroom floor. Even when sick, Charlie sticks to laminate surfaces rather than the rug, thank goodness! I got up early because I knew he was not feeling good. He was trembling slightly when he was pressed up against me in bed, he was licking his lips and swallowing over and over and his nose wasn't the cold wet weapon of choice I normally feel on my arm or back. I couldn't believe he had 'done the deed' inside, but when he looked shifty-eyed and guilty and bowed to me, I knew it was his doing and immediate took him outside.

The nice thing about this complex is we all greet each other with pj pants on and Medusa hair. No one judges. I didn't even take the time to put on my glasses, just on with the leash and out with the Charlie. Good thing I did, because he proceeded to do it again, to a smaller degree, on the grass around the corner from our apartment. I praised him for waiting until he got outside, took him home and gave him a bath, cutting the wealth of hair from underneath his tail and on his bottom to make clean-up easier.

Have I mentioned yet how glamorous owning a dog can be? 

He enjoyed the bath, and after I dried him (and he scootched himself out around the living room) he settled down for a sleep. The only treat I gave him was a bit of cheese, which made him ecstatic.

Having had pups for years, I kind of have a game-plan when dogs are sick:

1. Cut out the extras. Just stick to bland food such as rice with a bit of meat and veggies or the regular dog food.
2. If you want to give a bit of a treat, cheese is a good binder and the favorite of most dogs.
3. Give your pup a bath. It calms them, cleans them and saves them cleaning up their own mess. Cut off the extra hair if you have a furry wonder like Charlie. It saves a lot of grief.
4. Don't give them any milk products (other than cheese) while they are down and under. It can affect their stomach and make them even more sick.
5. Cut back on the flavored rawhide or other goodies. The beef flavoring can actually make them sick to begin with if they have too many of this sort of treat and can exacerbate their vomiting or diarrhea.
6. Use bottled water. The problem could be in the water from the tap. This doesn't have to be a permanent thing, but in Spring, especially there can be bacteria in the water that affects your pup's tummy.
7. Check the grounds around your place to make sure there is no junk or cigarettes or anything else your pup can sink their teeth into and scarf down. I did the patrol after Charlie fell asleep.
8. Bring them outside a little more often, to encourage 'going'outside rather than inside. Pet them and praise them when they don't mess the carpet.
9. Let your pup sleep as long as he wants. Some may sleep the balance of the day and wake up feeling much better. Chances are, their tummy ache cut into their sleep the day or night before. Sometimes all any of us needs is a good sleep.
10. Start re-feeding slow and easy. No junk for a bit, a bare minimum of treats. If your pup is still sick after a couple of days, he may get dehydrated and you may want to consider a visit to the vet.

You sometimes forget just how much your pet means to you until they are 'under the weather.' It's easy to take their health for granted, and when they are young, it's difficult to imagine what life would be like without them. Both Mike and I pale at the thought of life without Charlie. Munchie is getting  up there - he's going to be 14 next month- but Charlie will only be 2 years old at that time, and somehow while you can make your peace with the impending possibility of losing an older pet, it's not to easy to consider losing your younger kid. 

The main problem isn't what you feed your dog, most of the time: it's what he ingests outside. I don't know why a cigarette or a piece of gristle by the BBQ may appeal to them, or a dried out piece of bagel or a wrapper. No one really understands a dog's taste. Try get what they snag off the ground out of their mouths right away. I know it's difficult - they clench their teeth and may even growl. If you put your finger at the open space at the back of their teeth (right at the back of their muzzle), their mouths will open (it's a reflex) and you may be able to scoop it out.

The same goes for the home. You may have left an elastic band or twist tie lying around, and in playing with it, dogs or cats have been known to ingest it. Don't give your dog potatoes, alcohol (you know this!), or chocolate. Be careful of house plants and wrappers. If they grab something off your plate, there's not much you can do, but do whatever you can to make home safe for them. And just like children, don't let strangers give them treats, since it may not be good for their diet.

Enjoy your pets when they are well and celebrate life with them, but remember that illness is part of life, too, and we've all taken on that responsibility when we adopted or purchased them. L'chaim!

Bath-Time for Charlie

It's fall, and Charlie's hair is growing back into the wavy Cocker Spaniel hair that he had when we first adopted him in spring. During the summer, it brushed out, leaving his dachsie-like short hair, which was great for keeping clean and meant that we didn't have to vacuum the floor as often. Now, not so much. So once again, it was bath-time for Charlie.

Before bath-time                                                 

Bath time with Charlie is very much like bath time with any 'child' - it's all in the preparation and timing! I start by running the water in the tub (Mr.Curious has to peek in before he runs away). Then we take off his collar (he doesn't like that - it's HIS collar...what are we doing??). And then the fun really begins.

This time Mike was awake to catch the action and we have never laughed so hard as when we tried to capture the blur that was Charlie, in action.

Step 1 - wetting and soaping Charlie

I like to  use gallon jugs to wet and rinse Charlie - and if I keep the water running, it doesn't freak him when I have to replenish water in the jugs to wash the soap off. Here he is, after his first shampoo - being a 'good dog.'

Step 2: Washing out the rest of the shampoo

Charlie doesn't really mind this step - as you can see by his face. I support his chin so I can control the flow of the water. I try keep it out of his nose and eyes. I usually repeat this step a couple of times.

He knows he's a good boy, but he loves to hear it

Charlie enjoys his cuddle

Then it's his favorite time, shaking himself silly and scootching around the living room, trying to get totally dry. Anyone who has a pet KNOWS this step, intimately! It's a wonder Mike could take any photos, we were laughing so hard at this point. No, never AT Charlie, but definite with him as he played the clown. Bath-time was done for another couple of months, and Charlie could relax. Is he ever proud when everyone tells him how soft and handsome he is, his hair gleaming in the sunshine! It's almost worth the effort :)

Sliding around on his side

Resting before another scootch

Clean Charlie - after the bath

Life Lessons Learned from a Little Dog

There are many things that are impossible to comprehend unless you have experienced the love and devotion of a dog. When non-dog lovers look at our furry little friends, many of them see is a lot of work or ties that keep you from doing what you want to do. A restriction on freedom.

Nothing could be further than the truth!

There is so much we can learn from our pets. We have learned these and more life lessons from our little Charlie, just by watching him and experiencing his unconditional love:

1. It's ok to be silly. Playing with Charlie: chasing him around the house, tussling with him with his favorite toys, playing fetch or even taking him for a walk, allows us brief moments of pure joy and silliness. And it feels great!
2. Sharing is caring. When Charlie places his little bone in our shoes, he is showing us how much he loves us. When Charlie brings us one of his toys, and looks up at us with bright shining eyes, he is giving us the only thing he has to share: his love.
3. Laughter is good for you. We have done more laughing since Charlie came into our lives that we have in years. Watching him play with Munchkin, the 2 of them chasing each other, or watching him sleep sprawled on his back (looking like a grocery store chicken) has literally brought us to tears of laughter. 
4. Everyone is a friend (until proven differently). Look at people through your pet's eyes: everyone is a potential friend: a loving hand, a kind voice. Even when pets get more wary with age, they still wag their tail before barking. Pets don't judge because of age, appearance, culture or size. Be wary, be watchful but be kind.
5. Family first. Pets love their people before anyone else. They will protect you, put up with your foibles and quirks, adjust to your schedule and always be waiting for your return. That's the power of unconditional love.

We've also learned that he loves us in the morning, when our hair is sticking straight up and at night, when we are so tired that we can barely make that last evening walk with him. He doesn't care what we look like, how we dress or how little money we have. When we give him his "good boy" treat, he is thrilled with whatever he gets. We've found that we, like other dog walkers in our community, stagger out our door with coffee cup in hand every morning, wearing our sweats or pj pants. Pride goes right out the window (and it helps when your neighbor looks no better than you!).

Next time: Charlie's new tricks.

The Great Hunt: The Instinct to Hide Treasure

The Great Hunt: The Instinct to Hide Treasures

Charlie believes in The Great Hunt. He is the best dog at hiding his favorite treasures than any other dog I have seen or owned! He finds little hidey-holes in the couch cushions, behind boxes, behind the file cabinet, under the desk, by the TV stand, under his blankets (great for tripping!), on the ottoman, in empty boxes.... Wherever there is a little space, he will hide a treasure!


One of his favorite hiding places is his toy box. He loves to take out all his toys, put a special treat or bone in there, and cover it all up with toys again! Then, some time later that day or even later in the week, his little nose will follow an invisible path and then it's "Oh boy oh boy!" as he rediscovers his treasure, gleefully throwing it in the air and settling down to gnaw on it. Sometimes I don't understand dogs, except for the times when we have found a forgotten treat for ourselves in the freezer or cupboard... Maybe it's not so hard to understand them after all!


The great hunt for toys is only superseded by his great hunt for the elusive scent trail. His schnozz buries itself in the grass as he scoots it along, searching for that missing scent. Sometimes his head startles up and he sneezes when he finds something amazing! Then he cocks his head, looks at me and I swear he's smiling! Off to the next adventure.


Life, for Charlie, is indeed one adventure after another. Every day is new, the same old walk is different each time he takes it. He walks along the red curb like an intrepid circus dog, balance sure, trotting along. His balance is so much better than ours! This morning, he was so busy sniffing and exploring that he barely acknowledged a little dog he hadn't met before. He gave some cursory sniffs, a friendly wag of the tail, but he was totally distracted. It's compulsive, he had to search? Is there such a thing as OCD dogs, or is this instinct so deeply buried that they have to act on it? How he fights the leash when I try to tug him another way! But he is learning to obey (when he wants to).


There are always more dogs for Charlie to discover, new cats to spot, new birds to watch, and more people to charm. Even folks who don't particularly like dogs like him. He is so earnest and open! That's a dog's nature, isn't it? Last night, on our last walk before bed, he met Bella and her owner. The girl had seen Charlie before and thought him "adorable" (he took her compliment in stride, sniffing her toes and accepting a pat). Bella was over 4 times his size, a big gangling 2-year old baby! Charlie and she played, jumping, pretending to attack, hunkering down in the grass to slither toward each other. I think he's found another kindred spirit! Bella was enchanted to have a new friend; she sought him out twice during the course of that half-hour walk. Charlie was thrilled with his new friend. Now, when we walk past Bella's apartment, Charlie pauses to see if she is coming out to play, just like Chewie pauses outside our apartment to see if Charlie can come out to play. Just like kids!


Speaking of walks, it's pretty much time for our next excursion. I wonder what sniffs he will discover this time, and how many sneezes will mark his excitement as he finds an old trail. I wonder which buddies and new friends he'll find this time? Sometimes I think we live vicariously through our dogs! We have met so many new people since embarking upon this adventure! There's nothing like being adopted by a dog to give you a new lease on life!


(next time: The Meeting: Charlie and Munchie's Showdown)

Belonging to the "Dog Owners Club"

 Belonging to "The Dog Owner's Club" (Responsible Pet Ownership)

When you become a dog owner, either for the first time or the 10th, you automatically belong to a select group: "The Dog Owner's Club." You find doggy poop bags in the dangdest places: in your work pants, in every jacket or sweater you own, in your pants pockets, on the dining room or coffee table. You know what I mean. 

You also become someone who goes outside in the morning, hair and teeth unbrushed and clothing thrown on higglepigglety to bring your little friend out to do their morning "bidness." You find yourself walking your pal at 6:30 in the morning and at midnight. Every walk is an adventure for your buddy, with him or her straining at the leash to sniff the scent they must have smelled fifty times before, more like them walking you than the alternative. Sometimes, intuitively, you and other dog owners avoid each other with a nod or a muffled grunt. Sometimes, you meet and greet each other with a list of your pet's accomplishments or a sharing of their history. You find places near home that you never even knew existed, and meet people that you have never met before. And their pets, of course. You get to know the pet's names before your learn the owner's names, but that's ok, because they are doing the same thing! You become Charlie's Mommy or Daddy!

You also time your activities away from home: "Should we go to the casino after the show? Or should we go shopping first at this place and then at that place before going home?" "Well, Charlie will have been alone for 6 hours by that time, and it's when he normally has to go poop, so..." Spontaneous vacations become a thing of the past (mind you, those of us who have never been able to afford them anyway aren't missing much, are we?). Trips to friends' houses become an adventure. You are on a very different schedule, all of a sudden. Even walking out of the door becomes a trick equivalent to Houdini escaping the water chamber, if you're not taking your pup out with you!

You become one of "those" people...

If you have been parents, you recognize this as similar to having a child. Only, instead of diapers in your pockets, nuks and baby toys underfoot, you have poop bags, dog treats and dog toys to trip over. You worry about feeding schedules, read labels more carefully to see if "meat" comes first on the label instead of fillers, much as you did the contents of your child's baby food jars. You worry about bowel movements, their behavior: "Charlie isn't very active today, do you think he's feeling ok? He did a little barf outside on the walk. What do you think he got into to?" "I'm not sure. I'll check the floor and see if I can find anything..."

When you are an "empty nester" or someone who has never had a child, you find yourself looking at the pet clothing online. I kid you not! Even if you would never dress your pet up, that would demean them, they are animals after all, you find yourself smiling at some of the costumes. Don't deny it, I know you do! We still have that Darth Vader Halloween costume of Brandi's, and Mike said the other day "Wouldn't Charlie look cute in that?"

Yes, you are definitely one of "those" people.

If you have never had a dog, you can't conceive of saying "good boy" to a dog whose leavings you just scooped up with a little green bag over your hand. You can't even imagine walking the same path 4 or 5 times a day, with your little guy investigating the same grass each time. It's difficult to understand how the same people can share the same stories, with mild variations, day after day without going insane. You never could even imagine being interested in another dog's operations, history or adventures, and couldn't even dream of joining in on the conversation. having exactly the same sort of stories to share! How many times can you tell people, "We got Charlie for just $65 at the Henderson Animal Shelter! Aren't the other shelters expensive?" and have them respond that he's such a good boy and the best pet anyone could have? And yes, you are as proud of your pet at that moment as you would have been of your child, even if you won't admit it to yourself. A "good boy" from someone else is like a pat on your back. Is this vicarious living or is this sharing in the growth and development of your little furry "child?"

If you have never had a dog, you have never experienced unconditional love. Sure, cats love you too, but on their terms. They purr, they rub up against you, they like to cuddle and you love them deeply, but it's different. With a dog, a stern glance can leave them cowering, a firm word can make them stop in their tracks. With a dog, a "good boy" can bring a paroxysm of joy unequaled by any athlete. When your dog LISTENS for the first time, and sits when you say "sit" or stays when you say "stay," or when you find them doing something unbearably cute like secretly burying one of your shoes in their toy box and replacing all their dog toys in the box to cover it, and then unearthing it half an hour later, after you have searched for it the entire time <true story>, it's hard not to email or call your friends to tell them. 

You don't mind sitting on their doggy treats, or brushing your pants with a cat brush each day before you go outside. You don't mind going out in the wind, the rain, the snow, the extreme heat, and you tell yourself it's good for your health as well as for their well being. Even when you have severe allergies or feel plain lousy, you can almost enjoy a walk with your little guy. You don't curse (much) when you trip over their favorite toy, and can't refuse when they bring it to you all ratty-tatty and want you to play with them. The lick to the face makes you laugh, the sight of them running around the house with toy in teeth, tongue hanging out the side of their mouth, makes you laugh out loud. Somehow you feel more alive, more in touch with your emotions again, and you spontaneously burst into laughter more easily. You even enjoy the training, the milestones, the accomplishments and the very sight of their little face when you come home. You feel mildly guilty when you have to go out without them.

You have definitely become "one of those people," and aren't you glad?

Bringing Charlie Home and the Aftermath

Bringing Charlie Home and the Aftermath

Charlie (The Good Boy) and his toy box (and favorite toy)

On March 16th, 2012, we picked "our boy" up from the Henderson Animal Shelter. I think he was glad to be leaving there: we heard him bark "farewell" as we walked out the door. It was the first real barking we heard from him, but it wasn't to be the last! 

After an "interesting" drive home, during which we discovered that he really hadn't been in a car very often (if at all), we walked him through our complex, showing him the sights (and many sniffs). On his first of many, MANY walkies, he met one of his new buddies: Chewy. They became friends at first sniff! 

This wasn't really the case with Munchie, who took one look at him, hissed and the chase ensued! It was very soon established that because of his persnickety nature, Munchie would have the bedroom and bathroom as his territory, while Charlie roamed the rest of the apartment. This brought relative peace. For now.

We found that Charlie enjoyed everything: his food, his treats, his blankets, his walks, his leash, his home, his grassy areas outside and us. He proved to be friendly to every human and curious about every dog. In our complex, a new "arrival" is heralded, so by that evening, everyone was coming up and saying, "So this is Charlie?" and telling each other about his adoption. It made fitting in really easy. Have I mentioned how much I love this complex?

Charlie and Mike bonded even more on their excursions through the different walkways. We found out very soon that this place is a lot bigger than it seems! The common green is also a common meeting place for dogs. Within a few days, Charlie knew the routine. Being the good boy he is, we had no accidents in the house. He whined or stared us in the face when he needed out. The only accidents were our fault, when we ignored him, when he didn't feel well or if we left him alone for too long, and to date, that's only happened twice (so far).

It's good to have a dog to walk again, and good to get out and get moving. Now when I talk out loud, I know I am not losing my mind, I am talking to the dog! When you open a door to go out, he's there. When you come home, he greets you with pure joy. When you reward him, he is the happiest dog on earth. The few times we have had to call him a "Bad Boy," he responded by lying flat on the ground and covering his eyes with his paws, We hope that he and Munchie will become friends, and gradually, they are achieving their own peace. 

One thing we know for sure is that he is a pleasure to own, a wonderful new furry addition to our family. It was the right time, it was the right place and he is most definitely the right dog!

Munchie-Cat: arch nemesis and big baby

(Next time: the realities of pet ownership and "joining the owners' club")

Life Before Charlie (a quiet apartment)

Life Before Charlie (a quiet apartment)


Life before Charlie was pretty routine. We had a quiet house - Munchie was the only pet left of the 5 furry friends we had in our blended family when I moved to Vegas to marry Mike. I had gone through raising a pup to an old dog before, a couple of times, but Mike had never had that experience. Brandi was his first experience with Dog Ownership and he loved it. They had a real friendship, formed over the few years during which Brandi was still around.


When we talked about getting a dog, Mike was a bit reluctant. He thought Munchie, as an older cat, was a bit fragile, and he was worried he might get upset by a new addition to the family. On the flip side, we both thought we needed a bit of "excitement" in our lives. I have always had a "multi-pet" household, and had enjoyed the interaction of the animals and their individual personalities. Mike previously had two cats, so he was also used to dividing his time between pets.


Mike finally agreed. So, the day before we were going to go "look at pets," we went to the store. I kind of knew what we needed, by experience, and when I let it be known at work that we were "getting a dog," one of my good friends who had recently lost a pet, gave us some stuff she had at home. We inherited: a dog blankie, dog treat jar, a bag of assorted toys (with which her older dog had never played) and a dog dish. It was a wonderful beginning.


We picked up a big bag of dry dog food (for small dogs), a water dish (with rubber on the bottom so it wouldn't slide around), a doggie bed, a squeaky toy (destined to drive us nuts but well worth the cost), some dog treats and a "toy box" (rubber) to keep all the stuff contained. <Ha!>


Despite grumbles when Mike pulled out his wallet, he was excited, too. So we got everything home and attempted to explain to Munchie what was happening. He didn't particularly care, as long as he got his "ear rubbin's." Mike and I even talked about "territory" if Munchie freaked out when we brought the dog home, or if they didn't get along.  We didn't put the stuff out, because we didn't want Munchie to get the idea that these were his new toys, or supplies. We didn't want that "resentment" built into a new situation.


We were ready, and when Charlie chose us, we knew we would have everything he needed to start him off right. Now all we had to do was bring him home, and let the fun begin!


(to be continued)

Choosing Charlie

Choosing Charlie

Charlie adopted us on Wednesday, March 14, 2012. Mike and I took an excursion to the Henderson Pet Shelter with the sole purpose of finding a dog. We even brought a collar and leash. For the first time since losing our furry friend, Brandi a couple of years ago, we were ready to start fresh with a new pet. Charlie wasn't the first dog we looked at. He didn't even have a name or description posted on the cage. We passed him, noting that he was lying quietly at the back of the cage while his crazy cell-mate, Henry (a brindle chihuahua), was bouncing around like a beach ball on steroids. Of course we took Henry out for "walkies" to see if we would bond. He was a little too much for us, so we looked at a couple of other pets, wondering if we would find a "match."


Every time we went by, the little black and tan dog was there. When he came to the front of the cage, Mike said "I want to see him. I like him." He didn't bark, he just tried to push Henry aside from his frantic bids for attention. When the little black dog had enough, he lifted his lips in a sneer at Henry and put his foot on him to stop him from bouncing around.  That was the only time we saw him attempt to assert himself. He looked at us, tail wagging, and we knew we had to take him out to visit with him.


I think it's was Mike who got lambasted with "love at first sight." He liked his little face, ear that flopped up and his attentive nature. He liked the way he didn't bark (except when he lifted him up to look at the birds awaiting adoption). While I went to the front desk to ask about "no-name," and got his specs, the two boys bonded. He was a stray, about 2 years old, and they didn't know much about him. But he was healthy and "a good boy," passing the remote control "Cat Test" and getting along with the other pets. The staff loved him. I took the leash and let him drag me around the grounds; when I patted the bench beside me, he jumped up and gave me a kiss before jumping back down to explore again. Ok, this was it.


We looked at each other, and knew. This was our addition to the family. We went in to claim him, and found out he needed neutering ("What a lousy way to join the family!" I winced on the way out the door). We were to pick him up on Friday.


(to be continued)