I'm A Sucker For A Pretty Face

I met someone today. Her name may be Valley. It may be Lady. It may be something entirely different.

She's been in the local animal shelter for two months, according to the woman there.

"We haven't been able to place her because she gets so worked up when people come to see her."

This big, gorgeous black dog (let's call her Honey as that's what I found myself calling her)greeted me by leaping up against her gate and barking. She is intimidating.

"Trust me. Get her outside and she's a different dog."

I couldn't doubt it. The room was full of barking, yapping, jumping dogs, each one working the rest into a frenzy.

I trusted her. She snapped a leash on Honey's collar (a flimsy cloth number, by the way) and we went outside. Honey was fascinated by everything going on around her. I was not on her radar.

"What do you think she is?"

"We think Golden Retriever and black Lab. I mean, she looks like a big black Golden."

Or a small Newfoundland. She's got a huge, soft head.

"What have you been feeding her?" I asked as I patted her round sides.

"Too much. It gets cold in there in the winter; I give 'em plenty of insulation."

The shelter manager proceeded to thump Honey enthusiastically on the butt. Honey didn't mind a bit.

"You see? If she was mean, she'd turn on me for this. I've seen her with men and she's just scared. I think someone beat the hell out of her. We found her just wandering the streets."

After a bit, I took the leash and we walked. Honey's entire body was swiveling...first her head, then her butt. She wasn't rough, but she was fascinated by everything. After a bit, she started following me a little.

"Sit," I told her. She did.

"Have her give you her paw."

She gently offered one fuzzy mitt.

I came back and sat down, patting Honey's head.

"If it was just me, I'd take you home right now," I told her.

Honey watched me.

"She's already listening to you more than she listens to me," the woman observed.

Flattery will get you everywhere.

"So would you be open to letting me foster her for a couple of weeks and see if it's going to work?"

Honey licked my hand.

"I'm sure we would. It's been two months. They're already telling me that we have to do something about her."

"You mean put her down?"

She nodded. "But she's a great dog! She just needs a place she knows she belongs!"

"I have to bring back my guy. It won't work if she's scared of him or she hates him, even though I can't imagine she would."

"That's fine."

"And there are the three cats. I know you showed me she doesn't seem to care about them, but what if one of them swats her?"

She nodded.

"I think they'd be okay with just about anything if you're willing to give her a shot."

I came home with plenty to think about. What if I get a job that doesn't keep me home all day? What if we have to move? What if what if what if???

KB was drinking his coffee when I got home.

"So where is she?" he asked, smiling.

"Well....want to go meet her Monday?"

He didn't say no.