A Happy Beginning

Keymaster

I was away last week, busy, busy with my 2 ½ year old granddaughter and 10 month old grandson. On the way back from swim lessons for the 2 ½ year old, driving on a very busy street, was this poor little dog that was dashing in and out of the road and oncoming traffic. I immediately asked my daughter-in-law (whom I adore) to stop. I got out and the dog, thankfully, came right to me.

He was not small – I guessed a lab, pit-bull mix, about 4-6 months old. He was in very poor condition, although he did have on a collar, red, but with no tags. As I held him, his eyes immediately said thank you.

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I carried him door to door to see if anyone owned him or knew who owned him. No takes. I could not just leave him and I knew I could not take him in the car as we had the children. My daughter-in-law loves animals but not near the extent that I do (not many do). And of course, we did not know if Dasher (I temporarily named him Dasher but because he dashed in and out of the traffic) was friendly or ill – it was just not going to happen. I had to move fast to find his home or………

The children were becoming inpatient. Plus, he was around 35 pounds so after about four homes and no owner found, I came to the home of a nice young boy that had a fenced back yard. Yes, indeed – my mind was working fast. I told this nice young man, Peyton, (as I found out) who I was and that I really needed help, explained the circumstances. Thank goodness for small towns and a family name that’s known! He agreed to let Dasher stay in his fenced back yard for one night, until I could figure it all out.

Now, when I am with my grandchildren, it is non-stop busy. AND my son and daughter-in-law were leaving the next day to go out of town for three days. I’d have them 24/7. And of course, the children were my first and utmost concern. But Dasher, goodness – well, I’ll be dog-gone – I already loved him. It must have been the eye contact and thankful eyes. What was I going to do?

I called friend after friend and no one was interested in this poor little guy. So, I looked online for a rescue and found BARK. No luck, they ONLY go to the shelters and take the adoptable dogs right before they are to be put down (I cringe). Then I found a vet that worked with BARK and called him, their office could not help and suggested I call the county Animal Shelter. Wow – I did not want to do that. I knew they only kept them 30 days before putting them down. BUT, the vet’s office then gave me the name of a gal at the shelter that used to work with them as a vet tech and said she would be a good contact and thought she’d help as much as possible.

Well, then I found out that a really, really bad thing had just happened at the county shelters, four of them. A puppy came in with Distemper and it ran through all the shelters like wild fire (transporting dogs back and forth) and many (most, horrible) of the dogs had to be put down. So, the shelters in all four counties were actually closed down and had been for over a week for cleaning and disinfecting. Geeze.

Okay, no time, busy, what to do? It is now day two and I am calling Peyton and begging, one more day please. He says, no problem. I’m back on the phone, on line. And good news (I guess) – the shelter will open the next day and I talk to this gal (Kat) that says, they literally have no dogs and a puppy will be welcomed and guaranteed adopted. Mixed emotions here, but I must move fast.

I have literally no time on my hands, as my daughter-in-law and son had left for their trip. But, luckily, my daughter-in-law graciously brought in her sitter for a few hours. So, with the children at home taking a nap, I drive to get Dasher. He’s in Peyton’s backyard, porch door open so he can go in, fresh water, huge bowl of food. He’s a happy camper. He comes right to me. I tether him in the back of the car – he’s good for travel. I can’t think about this or I won’t do it. I drive to the shelter, trying to do this fast and get back to the children. I drive up to the shelter and sit in the car and – start to cry. I know I am pressed for time, I can’t be emotional. Can’t. So, I take Dasher out of the car, his tail is wagging like a whip – he’s such a happy little guy. Dasher and I walk to the back where it says, “Animal Drop Off” and I ring the bell. They tell me they’ll be out soon. The mosquitos (it’s GA!) are all around us. I’m swatting them off Dasher (quite sure he’s on NO heart worm meds!). They take their sweet time. I walk with Dasher to the front of the building, waiting and wanting to stay moving so hopefully the mosquitos don’t lite on him.

And then it happens. This man and lady drive up. They just sit there a minute. So, I walk over to their car with Dasher (with Sadie’s pink leash, poor guy) and ask if they are at the shelter to adopt a dog. They say yes, and I say, “This is an incredible dog that needs a home” almost begging. They both get out of the car and come over to Dasher. “I wanted a bigger dog”, says the man, “we already have a basset hound and a lab – and we have 1 ½ acres of land. We just lost a dog (age) and really miss having three dogs” and that “our two children are really hoping we get a puppy this time – all of our dogs are rescues that have been older” – I could not believe it. I told them that if they would adopt Dasher, I would pay the $107.00 adoption/spay/neuter/shots fee for them. Wella – they agreed!!!

So, I took Dasher in (it still tore me up to leave him) and the paperwork and process began. We exchanged names, e-mail addresses; I paid the fees and prayed that this was all REALLY going to happen. I later got a call from the lady (young girl) and she said her children couldn’t wait to bring Dasher home. They have to wait the waiting period for a “stray” and then have him neutered and they’ll have him home next week. Dasher will most likely get a new name for his new forever home. I am so relieved – a happy beginning for a wonderful pup, aka temporarily, Dasher.

PS – I took Peyton some cash to take his girlfriend out to dinner – nice guy – pay it forward :)

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