courage
Written by patty on January 17th, 2010“Think with your head, not with your heart,” my sister warned me when I told her where I was going today. NYCACC, Staten Island. Listed as a Dutch Sheep Dog, the dog in the picture looked like a doodle to me. “Don’t bring him home unless it’s right.” I promised her I wouldn’t.
We discussed it with our children last night. We have been pursuing so many options. Rescue. Shelters. Craigslist. You name it, we’ve tried. I came across this boy yesterday during my daily sweep of adoption and rescue Web sites. As I explained the situation to them, my children agreed we had to at least try to get this dog with the expressive eyes and the goofy smileI called to make sure he was still there before we left. After an iffy drive in the rain with the kids in the back seat and Talullah right behind them, we were at the shelter ninety minutes later. I took note of the family bringing the cute pup back. “My children, they don’t take care of him,” the man explained as the cute pup licked my hand and looked me square in the eye. “How can you expect children to take care of a puppy?” the shelter workers asked. His children were in the parking lot, laughing and without a care in this world.
I ask about my boy with the goofy grin and the pretty eyes. They search the paperwork. It makes no sense to me; it’s such a small shelter, why don’t they know where he is?
Adopted, they tell me. Adopted. In the ninety minutes it took me to get there, he was adopted. Be happy for him, the man tells me. He got out of here.
We’ve been seriously in this hunt for more than a month now. So many almosts, so many shoulda coulda wouldas. <i>Don’t fall in love based on a picture</i>, I tell myself. On the way, we get ahead of ourselves. We talk about what to name a dog whose rescue requires more in toll fees than adoption fees. Courage, they called him at the shelter.
I thought we’d be there in time. This time. But we missed him. My sons’ disappointment was palpable.
Courage. I’m sure it takes a lot for a stray to survive a couple of days in the shelter.
Looking through online listings and taking a drive to Staten Island in the rain pales in comparison.
18
PM
Finding the right dog is harder than one thinks.
home and uncool´s last blog ..Shows NBC is Developing to Replace Leno in Prime Time
19
PM
That is a tough deal.
When I get a new cat, I am sure it will be as difficult.
I don’t want to think about getting another dog, it would mean the one we have would be gone and I do not want to think of that any time soon.
Whitemist´s last blog ..Today I feel Like I am in a Star Wars flick
20
AM
Have faith, WingDangDoo. When you least expect it, one will appear and claim you for his own. You’re in my thoughts.
20
PM
Another false dog pregnancy. These are the worst, but when you get the baby, it will be the best baby.
Suggestion: Put an ad of your own on Craigslist, and with the shelters if you have not already done so. Our shelters are just starting to see the Christmas puppies being turned in strong numbers.
4
PM
Unfortunately, this happens a lot when it’s a shelter instead of a rescue where the dogs are fostered. You definitely have to proceed with caution either way you go…when you meet the dog, you might not like it, it might not like you. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen.
Where in CT are you? Maybe I know of a couple rescues that you haven’t found out about yet.