Seven died the other day. She followed our neighbour’s car onto the road and was hit by a car coming the other way. A stupid accident, a stupid mistake. Unlike Susie, this one wasn’t preventable, as Seven was an escape artist extraordinaire.
But this post isn’t about Seven. Not today.
Since Susie died, I’ve been spending a lot of time trawling the dogs home website, constantly looking at the dogs needing a home and wishing that Nathan agreed with me. All those sad faces, needing homes, dammit, I’ve got a good home and I want a new dog. I miss Susie a lot actually, and now Seven too, as much as I try not to think about it.
Eventually, I put my foot down and made Nathan take me and the kids to the dogs home – knowing that most of the time, the dogs are adopted before they get put on the website.
Of course, I fell in love with the 6 week old puppies because they’re just! so! cute! but they were all spoken for (fantastic).
We walked around all the kennels, my heart breaking for the dogs who didn’t have owners.
‘Look at that one. Pity we didn’t have more land, he needs a job to do,’ I said to Nathan as a 4 month old Kelpie x Blue heeler ran around his kennel, chasing his tail and bouncing excitedly at the sight of new people.
‘Oh! Look at her ears!’
‘Poor girl, you’re 9 and in the dogs home? Where did your previous owner go?’
And then, we found her.
Amy looked at her, nodded her head and said ‘This is our dog. We will take her home.’
She wiggled in the bottom of her kennel, every inch of her body pressed up against the wire, straining to be patted. She didn’t jump, or bark or whine, she just leaned into the wire and looked at us with giant pleading eyes.
‘She’s beautiful’ said Nathan. I agreed readily. A startling white patch over most of her face left me with the impression that one of her eyes should have been blue, not brown.
‘How old is she?’
I read her card. Six months, or thereabouts.
‘Still young enough to learn lots.’
‘Yep.’
‘How long has she been here for?’
‘Ummmmm, since the 30th June it says.’
‘Ah right, she’s only new then.’
‘Yeah.’
While we talked, we were busy pressing our fingers through the wire, stroking her head and ears. She pressed closer to us.
‘You like her?’
‘Yes.’
We wandered back to the front of the dogs home, looking at the puppies again.
‘Your decision’ says Nat.
‘Okay. We’ll ask about the pups first, because it’s very likely they’ve all got homes.’
5 minutes later, yes, the pups all had homes. So we asked about the lovely natured Border Collie, whom we both adored.
Now, before I say anything more, a 6 week old puppy is always going to be my preference, simply because they’ve not had time to learn any bad habits – it’s just how I think. But the look in the collie’s eyes, I was pretty sure she was our dog.
No. No prospective adopters for her yet, no holds, nothing.
So we started the ball rolling.
Almost 2 weeks later, a yard check (I emailed through photos), a conversation with the lovely girl on the phone and a deposit paid, she came down with a stomach virus and the desexing that was meant to happen didn’t.
So we waited a little longer, for her to get better, for us to get more ready. Of course, Isaac then broke his arm and if things are going to hell, you DEFINITELY need a puppy around the place to take your mind off things.
But, when we brought her home, she was just perfect.
And this time, this dog, she’s going to be a mostly inside dog. I’ve lost enough dogs to this highway – I can do without losing anymore, thankyouverymuch.
Ah Seven, we’ll miss you. We were meant to be bringing you home a friend, not losing you beforehand.
This is the new pup. Amy has named her Maisy, after some backwards and forwardsing, but it seems to suit her. She is a dream with the children at this point, not jumping, or bowling them over. Isaac is still unimpressed every time she swipes him with her tongue, but he’ll cope.
The best bit? She seems so freaking grateful to be here with us and not at the dogs home anymore. Rescue dogs are amazing.
Comments
28 responses to “Not perfect, but getting there.”
very cute..
wishing you all the best in her training.. and i am sure she will bring lots of wonderful years to you and your family.
Oh Vonnie, she is a little beauty. Your Dad will be smitten.
Oh man, her photo just brought tears to my eyes. She’s going to be an AWESOME dog for you guys.
aww a cutie!
She’s sweet. Love those expressive ears!
I’m so sorry you lost Seven. 🙁
I’m so overjoyed you decided to adopt this beautiful new addition to your family. You’re braver than I, Veronica. If I went to the dog’s home I would be a big sook and want to take them all home.
Both of mine are from the RSPCA. I got them a year apart, when they were each 10 months old. Sometimes I regret not seeing them as little puppies, but they’re both good dogs most of the time. They’ve come with their own quirks, eat like food’s running out tomorrow and are territorial about their bed (and mine, too!)
I’ve had Max for 7 years and Calvin for 6. I kept their original names, or at least what they were called at the RSPCA.
Good on you for choosing your dog from a shelter, not a pet shop.
Sorry to hear that Seven has died, especially so soon after Susie. Congrats on the new dog. I’ve always thought of a Border Collie as an outdoor dog but she does look really friendly and ideal company for the whole family.
She’s lovely. I’m sure she’ll be a fantastic addition to the family.
I think sometimes it’s hard for people to understand those of us who kind of grieve more internally. That’s been my experience anyway. x
Aww, she’s gorgeous. I’m sure you’ll all be very happy together. Isaac will get used to the licking!
Awww she’s GORGEOUS! You’re making me want a doggy even more than I already do… booo!
So sorry to hear about Seven.
Maisy is gorgeous. I’m glad she’s getting on well.
Oh V. I’m so sorry about Seven. So so sorry. Losing a pet is such a dificult thing to go through. And in such a violent way 🙁
Misy is beautiful, and I really really hope she helps you all and becomes as much a part of the family as Seven and Susie. I love rescue animals. I’m banned from looking at the rabbit rescue website, because I fall in love with all the poor bunnies but it wouldn’t be fair to adopt one now when we know we’re moving out the country next year and would have to leave the poor thing to be adopted.
She’s adorable! Hope she’s a good addition to the family.
Oh, no. She was meant to have brown eyes. She is beautiful. 🙂
Gorgeous! We have two rescue dogs and that’s the only way I will go.
So sorry about Seven — stupid dogs wiggle into your hearts and it seems like they are never around long enough.
So sorry about Seven. You must feel like you’re being repeatedly kicked in the gut.
I’m glad about Maisy. She’s gorgeous.
OMG, she is beautiful! My boys would love a dog but I don’t know if I am up for it?? Seems like hard work ….
Sorry about Seven 🙁
Your new pup looks like it’s going to be fun 🙂
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!! LOVE HTE NAME TOO good job Amy.
Oh my my my! What a sweet little face. So sad about Seven. So happy for Miss Maisy.
Awww, what a beauty 🙂
I’m sorry to hear you lost Seven 🙁
An inside dog is good xxx
She’s lovely. I love her eyes.
Oh, she’s just gorgeous!
omg you made me cry. I volunteer at the dog’s home in devonport every sunday, just walking the dogs and playing with them. your post is wonderful, and I know what you mean about grateful dogs, and i’m so pleased this one found a family to love her. those eyes ….
I LOVE the photo of Seven. He has such a huge smile on his face.
I’m sad that he’s gone.
Maisie is gorgeous. She’s making my heart ache. My heart wants a puppy.
WOW! What a sweet little face.I LOVE the photo of Seven.Maisy is gorgeous. I’m glad she’s getting on well. Thanks a lot. Keep blogging..
She is BEAUTIFUL.
We used to have a male much the same, we named him turbo for obvious reasons.
He was untamable unfortunately and one day came home on the back of the dogcatcher’s truck. 🙁 He had fancied some sheep and chooks. So he had to leave on the dogcatcher’s truck.