Our lives have been turned upside down, I feel like, within the last few weeks. A friend of mine posted a picture of a dog on "death row" (i.e. due to be euthanized). Normally, when I see pictures like this on facebook, commercials, etc. I quickly look away or change the channel. Call me a chicken, tell me I'm avoiding the issue, I don't care. For someone who hates to see animals in distress, those types of images are tortuous. I imagine Chris' eye-rolling-head-shaking-no reaction when I bring up the question of additional animals in our home, and this helps me to quickly dismiss the idea.
However, when I saw this dog's picture, something stuck with me. My initial thought was WOW, how sad that this life that God created has been reduced to a mug shot of sorts before this poor guy faces lethal injection. My second thought was the usual, "we have room!" I showed Chris and he did not immediately say no. Thinking this was odd, I pushed the dog to the back of my brain but definitely did not stop thinking about him. About a week after seeing his face, Chris and I made our FIRST trip up to animal control. He was somewhat interested in us, but didn't go out of his way to interact. You could tell he was in bad shape (having come in as a "stray"); nonetheless, he knew how to work that doggy magic. He has perfected his pitiful face, and even gave Chris a close-up when he laid his chin in Chris' lap.
We explained our situation to the ladies at the desk, and they encouraged us to bring our dogs up to visit. We could even bring Trafton. This way, we'd be able to get a picture of his temperament and how he'd get along with others. So we did just that. Our first visit was with Tank (great dane/mastiff mix) and Brutal (lab mix). We took all three of them for a walk in the park. I think I had to lean backwards at a 45 degree angle just to brace myself against the new dog's strength. (An entertaining picture, I'm sure, as my pregnant belly stuck out even further and tagged along behind him.) The dogs did fine together on neutral ground. But, as we'd soon discover, being on their own territory would prove to be an issue for our furry kids.
Our next visit was just with Trafton and the dog. I will admit that watching as the dog approached made me a bit apprehensive. But when he walked up to T. and licked him in the face, I realized that he was just eager for attention. Trafton loves any "di-di" (doggy in toddler speak), so he was thrilled to meet a new buddy.
Now we were truly in a pickle. As my husband likes to say, "We need another dog like we need a hole in the head." Truly, we have animals galore at our house, a toddler, and a baby on the way. We sat on this decision for weeks- literally. His face haunted me, and each day I'd wonder if he was still alive. Finally, we visited one last time, only to discover that it was his last day being alive. They were giving him the morning and by that evening, this baby would be put down. Well, you can guess what happened. Chris handed over the debit card to the ladies and arranged for us to pick him up the next day.
I would love to say that everything has been rainbows and warm fuzzies since then, but I would be lying. Instead, we brought him home only to discover that Tank, our big baby (literally!) has trouble accepting outsiders into his pack and onto HIS turf. This is what a dog trainer actually told us after many stressful days and nights of refereeing and juggling who's inside, who's outside, etc. It's taken crazy interventions to try and unite these two. I will say, in defense of "Petey", our animal control friend: he has not initiated any aggressive behaviors. He has been playful and loving. Our great dane is just simply having issues. Apparently, they are a very insecure breed of dog and lack self-confidence. Who would've thought a big ol' beast like him would be nervous and fearful of something smaller?!
So here's where we stand: both Chris and I have fallen for this new dog. We do not want to see him go and leave our family. Petey responds to voice commands like sit and lie down. He walks well on a leash and is incredibly loving and loyal. All he wants is a family. Time is our enemy: the vet and the dog trainer estimated approximately 3 months until their testosterone dies down and Tank calms down about the new "intruder". We don't have 3 months. I will be holding an infant by then, and Lord knows I can't juggle a toddler, an infant, and two disgruntled doggies on my own when Chris is at work.
I know some folks will say that what we did was dumb. Why in the world did we even approach animal control? Why did we adopt this dog in spite of having others? And in spite of being pregnant? (And not just "how exciting, first trimester "pregnant....no, we're talking "big mama, belly button poking out, worn slap out" pregnant.) I don't have an answer. I do know that when the Lord speaks, you follow. When he places something into my heart and my mind, I am to respond. However, I have also learned a different lesson: I need to harden my heart. Chris said to me, "You can't save 'em all and life's not all rainbows and butterflies". He is right. I will have to learn to look away sometimes, but it's so hard.
We saved the life of one of God's creatures and I'm thankful that He has awarded us some time with Petey. But He may have other plans for this dog. If you are at all interested in adding a sweet, loyal, fuzzy companion to your "pack", will you let me know?
