You know I don't ask for much. Just the occasional oil change for T-Hoe every couple of years, a Reuben Sandwich once a month, and Farmer H to do my bidding. But for the past couple weeks, I've had a yearning. Not for myself, mind you. I'm selfless like that. No, what I wish for is a companion for my little dog Jack.
Jack is lonely. First from the disappearance of Pupsie months ago. At least Jack still had his neighborly companion, Copper Jack, who has always pretended he lived here during the day, and half of the night. Now that Copper Jack has gone over the rainbow bridge to live on a big farm upstate, my little Jack has no canine companionship. He runs to greet me as I leave and come home, all wriggly with excitement, his long body undulating with pleasure. He follows Farmer H when he's outside doing chores. But most of the day and night, Jack is alone.
I have been perusing the local animal shelters every day, looking for a suitable adoptee. Farmer H had at first agreed, soon after Pupsie's disappearance. But then cooled on the idea. Now, he agrees that little Jack seems lonely. I told Farmer H that I think I found us a dog. He even looked at the picture on HIPPIE, and said that dog looked okay. We have agreed that a medium size dog would be best, with no pit-bull lineage. Any age or sex or color.
Here's my dream dog:
I hope I'm not jinxing it! He was found wandering the streets of Sis-Town last week. The stray hold time is up. He's ready to be adopted, and has limited time before something bad might happen. Supposedly Sis-Town is a no-kill shelter, but they are full.
This little fellow is described as a heeler mix. Looks to me like he might have some beagle in him. He has a hurt leg! He was holding it up when he was found. I fear that it might be broken. The lady who found him said she knows somebody interested in adopting him, but that was seven days ago. I realize this dog will need vet care for the leg. Of course he will need shots and neutering, because this shelter requires the adoptee to sign for such, and provide evidence. That is fine with us. We can afford to "fix" him. I'm not saying we'll fork out thousands for surgery, but hundreds are in our budget. An x-ray and a splint/cast should at least help him recover.
Now I fear that somebody else will take him. Friday was when he was first available for adoption. I have not seen any updates on the Facebook page. Monday is a holiday, for Columbus Day. Tuesday will probably be the first time somebody at the city/shelter will respond to our interest.
Farmer H agreed Friday evening that we could get him. City employees don't work weekends. Farmer H says he will try to go and adopt my dream dog. Saturday night, he came in from the front porch, talking to my little Jack, saying, "Yeah, we'll get you a buddy."
"YOU PROMISED JACK! So now you HAVE to get this dog!"
We'll see how things go. Poor doggy. Lost and hurt, held captive and probably in pain, but at least out of harm's way, with food and water.
I hope I am not getting my hopes up for nothing. I imagine Jack and New Dog romping in the misty morning, play-fighting while feinting to snap at each other's forelegs, chasing after Farmer H on the Gator, barking to greet me as I come down the driveway. It's a Lifetime Movie kind of rom-com fantasy. I really want to rescue this dog.
4 comments:
And I hope you get him, he looks like a nice dog, though I have to say, I wonder why the shelter hasn't had his leg at least looked at, over here any shelter would have done that right away and they do the "fixing" too and add it to the cost of adoption. No cat or dog ever gets adopted here unless it is spayed or neutered, with a tattoo inside the ear as proof.
River,
I guess it depends on the shelter. "My" dog is at the city of Sis-Town dog pound. It's run by the city for "animal control." There's a local rescue group that has a Facebook page, and contacts the newspaper every couple of weeks with pictures of animals who need to be adopted. LOTS of cats lately. They ask for donations to keep the animals from being euthanized after 10 days. Other shelters in the midwest will often take them, as long as there is money to cover transportation, and any medical treatment that might be needed. The local cities just hold the animals as long as they have room, feeding them. But they're not going to spend money on neutering an animal that might be euthanized in 10 days.
Most require the "adopter" to sign legal forms that neutering and shots will be done within a certain time period. When a shelter is overcrowded, they occasionally will say to just come and take the animal, no strings attached. To me, that is preferable to euthanizing them. Some people want a pet, but can't afford the vet fees. They might provide a loving home, and should get a chance, I think. Better than killing the animal.
That sounds fair enough.
River,
There are actually people who will drive an animal 4 or 5 hours to another rescue, only asking for gas money to do it. Some will also take an animal to "temporarily foster" it until adopted, or more room becomes available at the shelter. Of course, most people who show so much interest in these strays are already full-up with pets in their own home.
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