I clicked on an article today entitled 8 Affectionate Dog Breeds, (http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/8-affectionate-dog-breeds-173400607.html?.tsrc=yahoo?_device=full), and #8 was a Shelter Dog and I thought to myself how many of us have entered a shelter looking to give a pet a good home and in hindsight know our pets are thinking "I saved a human today."
It was a little over a year ago that I found myself walking into the Central Missouri Humane Society with my husband. It had been almost two years since our Beagle Buddy had quickly passed away and I had uttered the words, (of a cat person), "I will never have another dog." But I knew in my heart the best gift I could give my husband for Valentine's Day was the companionship of a faithful pooch.
Now, I must say I don't usually advocate animals as gifts because they are a commitment of time, money and love that you need to think about before jumping in with both feet, but I had did my research and had been searching the CMHS site for months looking for dogs that would be a good fit. My husband is self employed so he spends a lot of time at home in his office so we knew we wanted a dog breed that was loyal, loving and entertaining but also one that would be quick to learn commands and liked to travel so he could ride along with my husband. A few months before we thought we had found a good candidate, but we hadn't had the "DOG" talk yet. My husband had been in and signed all the documents so he could socialize with the pets but before he could pull the trigger the dog had found his fur-ever home. Something I must commend our local Humane Society for because all though the intake number at a shelter is sad and staggering they do a phenomenal job at finding them new homes.*
So, after months of searching finally there he was on the website I had found the perfect dog a little white Schnauzer and it was Valentine's week to boot. Casually, as we were out and about running errands, I asked my husband if he would mind going by the kennel just to look at the animals. With great anticipation, (OK not too much since he was in the 2nd run), we both found ourselves across from the a cute miniature Schnauzer, code name Scooter. He greeted us with a big happy jump and a yelp but we soon saw the sign on the kennel saying "NOT FOR ADOPTION". Our hearts sank as we learned from the staff that Scooter was no longer adoptable because he was being picked up by a rescue organization.
We were back to square one. Saturday, is a busy day at the kennel and I know the animals must feel the anticipation and pressure of the continuous popularity contest. (All my grade school fears of the play ground team choosing came rushing back.) As Sarah Mclachlan's "Answer" melody and sad pet eyes rushed quickly through my head, I decided that most of these animals were clearly instructed by the volunteers to sit up front, don't growl and look CUTE!
As we made our way through the runs we came across some candidates. A cute beagle...but we wanted a change. A bouncy puppy...we're too old! A pair of adorable miniature terrier-mixes... but they were bonded and I was questioning if we needed one new dog there was no way our aging cats at home would tolerate two! Then we came to an enclosure with the most pitiful pup you have ever seen, hair matted, curled in a ball on his make shift bed and not making eye contact with anyone. His place card read: Tokyo, Male, 2 years, Black & Brown Terrier/Schnauzer Mix.
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There was something about his state of depression that tore at our hearts and we asked if we could take him out on the leash. The shelter worker was so happy she entered his cage gave him a little pep talk and escorted us out to a fenced in area so we could get to know one another. I let me husband make the first moves, the truth be known I am frightened by strange dogs and I know they can sense it. My husband picked him up and talked to him walked around with him but the dog simply walked away and went to the gate staring out at the parking lot as if he was waiting to be picked up. (My Heart was Breaking) We returned inside the Shelter and decided we would leave and discuss the adoption over lunch.
I think both our minds were made up to take a chance on this lonesome little guy or we would of never found ourselves eating lunch next to the pet store. Before we had finished our burgers we had settled on the name of "Fritz" (his formal name of course would be Frederick Eduardo Beaverhausen III) and went next door to purchase a red and black checkered dog sweater...yes we were going to be those type of dog owners.
Back to the shelter we quickly went before they closed. The volunteer was delighted to see us back in front of his cage trying to coax him to us but he was still not budging, as I asked if we could go into the kennel one more time before we made our decision she brought in reinforcements who told us of his trip to the shelter and that although he seemed to have a chip on his shoulder that was a characteristic of Schnauzers and he would re socialize with us if we took him home. I was a little doubtful as a I looked at the only uneaten bowl of food in the Shelter and tried to make eye contact once again with this scraggly mutt. As I bent over there was a glimpse of hope as he rolled over to show me his belly. My necklace hung down a little to far and he began biting at it, my husband saw my concern and quickly came to the dogs defense that he was playing not attacking. We signed the papers and were to pick him up on Monday after his "procedure".
Since day one and through his 1st Fur-ever Anniversary FRITZ has been nothing but a bundle of fun and joy. He is an affectionate, comical, protective, intelligent addition to our family. Although boisterous and a little bit of a noisy neighbor he is so much love in one non-shedding bundle. He makes us exercise when we may not feel up to it, go to bed when we may think of staying up later and most of all laugh at ourselves and him when we may be taking life to seriously. The quote comes to mind, "I wish I was half the person my Dog thinks I am." I know our friends, family (and most of all the cats) think back on a time when we didn't bore them with cute Dog stories and pictures but it's too late he has stolen our hearts. And don't let the cats tell you anything different...they love him too.
*A quick foot note that cute dog my husband almost adopted we see some Saturday's with his joyful owner at the dog park. If you are looking for a new pet I urge you to do your research and check your local Shelter and Rescue Services in your area but most of all be a respectable and responsible pet owner and your love will be returned in so many ways!
