I Choose You...

I've been thinking a bit about the bond I have with my dogs.  Several things I've read lately have made me ponder what it is that creates that bond that some of us have with certain dogs.  I have to wonder if some of it doesn't start right from the beginning.

I know that everyone has a different experience in picking out their dog.  As a kid growing up, we chose puppies, but I didn't get the final say in which puppy it would be until I was fifteen years old and chose our Australian Shepherd for my birthday.  She was female and the last blue merle the man had left.  My sister and I worked on my dad and he agreed to pay the extra money the man wanted for her unusual coloring.  We started dog obedience together the next year, just hoping she'd learn to come sometimes when we called her name and she went on to win the State Fair obedience competition that year.  I loved that dog and I remember crying a lot of tears when I left home and had to leave her behind.  My sister still loves the breed and has a pair of Aussies now, but she lives in a rural area where they can really do the sorts of things Aussies like to do.

It wasn't until my husband and I were married and able to buy our first house that I was able to really choose a dog of my own.  I consider us very lucky that we found the adoption kennel that we found.  There are some adoption kennels that choose your dog for you and that's the dog you go home with.  Others will let you look at a website and choose your dog without meeting before hand.  At Quad Cities, we filled out a questionaire and they let us meet dogs that they thought would fit our criteria.  There were only four cat safe dogs in the kennel at the time, so we only met four.  Looking back, I see that as a blessing.  We'd have been overwhelmed meeting twenty dogs. 

The two things that stick out to me about that first meeting are that Treat was one of two dogs who really seemed to like us and was leaning against us from the beginning and she was the only one who looked back at us as they led her back to the kennel.  She blossomed when we brought her home with us a week or so later.  We'd had offers of a puppy for Christmas (that I didn't know about until after Christmas) and when we told our families that we were adopting a full grown Greyhound we were met with hesitation.  As soon as everyone met her, though, they were charmed by her.  She easily became my heart dog and when she died, I felt like I'd lost a part of myself.  If I'm honest, I did lose a part of myself and I had doubts about whether I could open myself up to that kind of loss again.  Even with three other hounds in the house, I was lost without that connection.  It wasn't that I loved them less, we just didn't have that certain magic.

We went back to the adoption kennel.  It was the first time we'd chosen a dog without Treat.  We took Blueberry with us and she was...less than impressed...by the dogs we were introduced to.  I saw some very sweet dogs who were beautiful, but I didn't feel that connection.  I was feeling pretty disheartened, to tell the truth, after meeting over a dozen dogs with a very patient adoption representative.  Finally, she offered to bring out a little dog she'd mentioned before, but she cautioned us that she was very new and they didn't know a lot about her yet, and that she was very young.  When Bunny walked in that door, she walked straight over to me on the couch and leaned against me.  Blueberry -- didn't dislike her on sight.  She eventually made her way over to Mr. Taleteller and gazed up into his eyes.  I was stunned by her calmness and confidence.  I'm pretty sure I asked several times if they were sure that she was only eighteen months old. 

What strikes me is that the dogs I've felt the strongest connection with have chosen me more than I've chosen them.  Perhaps they have an instinct in them that I don't understand, or the wisdom to see something that we don't.  I know that people can come by dogs in many different ways, but I can't imagine not having a dog who chose me now.  For those of you out there who have had a heart dog in your life, either currently or in the past, how did you find your dog?  What do you think goes into the making of a deep bond with your pet?

Two Years Ago

Bunny here, with greetings for my friends out there.

I wanted to share with you that today is a special day.  Two years ago, I came home forever with my mom and dad and Blueberry.  I met Hawk and Lilac when we got back home.  I couldn't believe my luck!

Three weeks before that, I'd arrived at the adoption kennel.  My mom was there, too, so I wasn't too scared.  The dogs there were all nice, but I had no idea what was going on.  I was just starting to get used to the place a week later when something different than the usual turn out schedule happened.  The lady came and got me, but instead of taking me to the door for turn out, she took me to a different room with a beautiful blue brindle greyhound and a man and a woman.  There was something about that woman that I liked, so I walked right over and leaned against her, and wouldn't you know it, she couldn't resist petting me.  I liked her scritches a lot!  The man looked lonely, so I walked over to let him have a turn to pet me, since I figured that's what they were there for.  The blue brindle hound just ignored me, but she didn't hate me or anything. 

The people talked a little and then the lady went and brought another greyhound back in with us and she was a very cute little dog.  Something about the way she looked at that woman and the blue brindle hound, who was laying on the couch beside the woman, didn't sit quite right with me.  I didn't growl or bark or anything, but I went over and leaned against the woman really hard and gazed up at her so she'd know I was the cutest hound ever and that she wanted to pet me some more. 

Finally, the woman told the lady from the kennel that they really liked me!  Well, who wouldn't?  My little tail wagged, but then the lady led me back to my crate.  I didn't understand what was going on, but I wished they had more time to pet me.

The next week, I went to the vet and fell asleep for a long time.  When I woke up, I didn't feel so hot, but I started feeling a little better soon enough.  They came and took me back to the kennel, and every day, I started to feel a little better.  One day, the lady came and got me and took me back to that room.  I couldn't believe it!  That woman, man and blue brindle greyhound were all in there again.  The woman was smiling and she put this beautiful collar on me.  It even had real rhinestones on it!  I felt like a princess, I must say. 

The woman and man filled out a few papers and then the gathered up the leash of that beautiful greyhound and my leash and took me out to a van with dog beds and air conditioning.  I tell you, it was luxury!  I couldn't believe I was having such a good day. 

We drove for an hour and a half, and then the van stopped and they brought me to a turn out pen.  Two more greyhounds came out and sniffed me all over.  The big male leaned against me and I knew he'd look out for me.  That's when I realized this was my new pack.

Since then, I've had adventures beyond what I even knew was possible when I was a little puppy on the farm in Iowa.  I have learned to appreciate the finer things in life, like Mom and Dad's soft as a cloud bed, snuggles, dog parks and dog bakeries.  I lead a charmed life and I am so glad I leaned on that woman who turned out to be my mom!  Everybody, have a Milkbone or some Frosty Paws tonight in my honor.  I hope you're all as happy as I am!

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

You might remember a while ago, we learned that Bunny's sister had been to an adoption group.  When we checked their website recently, we were happy and not surprised to see that she'd been adopted.  My understanding is that she's a lot like Bunny, so we are sure that she's making someone an awesome pet.  We know that a lot of Bunny's littermates were adopted through Quad Cities Greyhound Adoption and are now thriving in their new homes.  There are a couple we don't know about, too, and that's alright.

However, there's one of her littermates named Andy who has been waiting at the kennel for a long time now.  With the closing of Dairyland racetrack, lots of adoption groups in our area are struggling to find homes for the influx of dogs and we know that it will be tough.  It makes it even tougher, though, thinking about the dogs who have been waiting a long time and keep getting passed up. 

We met Andy at the group's reunion picnic.  I was completely charmed by him, but our home was full.  He's a wild man when he comes out of his crate, but I think that it's the type of enthusiasm that wouldn't last after he was out for a while.  We just learned this week that Andy is finally being adopted!  We are thrilled for him and wish him the very best in his new life as a pet.  We hear updates occasionally about their brother Buddha and their mom, so hopefully we'll hear more about Andy as he settles in.  Every time I look at his ears, it makes me smile.  I'm betting he will make someone else smile every day, too!

Wordless Wednesday 8/26 -- Family Resemblance

Do you notice a resemblance? The top picture is the ever-adorable Bunny. The bottom picture is her littermate, Andy, who's waiting for a home at Quad Cities Greyhound Adoption. In case you're looking for a new greyhound, we just thought we'd mention it. He's related to Bunny, he has to be great!

Greyhound Home Wanted!

I came into the living room yesterday to find one sad looking little greyhound lying on the couch. I heard her give a little sigh. Even the promise of some nice pets didn't seem to do much to lift her spirits. It was a bit unlike my usual happy go lucky little puppy girl. I began to be suspicious. I looked her over and so no injuries. Her little forehead didn't feel hot. Curiosity got the better of me.


Me: Bunny, what's the matter?


Bunny: I was just looking at the Quad Cities website when you left the computer on.


Me: And what did you see?


Bunny: My brother Buddha is still there. It's been almost a year since I came home and our mom and our brother Bloke, but Buddha is still there. It makes me sad to think nobody is petting him or taking him for walks to explore the world.


Me: It is sad. If we had room, I'd offer to let him come here, but we don't have the space. That and I'm afraid Hawk would have a heart attack and Lilac would pack her stuffed bunnies and leave.


Bunny: I know, but what can we do? I wish we could help him.


Me: Well, we can mention that he's been waiting a long time, and that any hound related to you must be absolutely wonderful. Maybe someone will give him a try.


Bunny: I think my tail may wag again after all. Will you pet me to make sure the theory works?


Me: Of course!

Well, here it is. Buddha is one of Bunny's littermates and from what I hear, a very handsome and sweet boy. Bunny is a tiny little thing, but I hear that Buddha is a bit bigger, although not huge. His racing name is Bank on Buddha and he was born November 10, 2006. He'll be three years old this fall. If he has any of the personality traits of our sweet Bunny girl, he will make an awesome and amazing pet. He is waiting for his home at Quad Cities Greyhound Adoption and their link is on the sidebar of the blog. We'd love to see him get a good home and maybe keep in touch with us.