Decision Postponed

Through no fault of ours. Mellifer, as I've been calling her for the past hour, or Clarisse, as KB seems to be leaning toward, or Big Sweet Thing, the abandoned dog who has been languishing in the local shelter for the past two months, is still there.

We tried. I called, but the line was busy. I emailed but got no response. They're busy, I know. So we decided to take a chance, just ride on over and hope we could find someone.

The shelter is on the grounds of the town transfer station. There's a big gate halfway up the drive, so no way to get close if that gate is locked.

It was.

The transfer station is closed on Monday. So we must wait to see her again, to see if she likes us, if KB wants her, too.

I have jury duty on Tuesdays, so that's out. But Wednesday! I'll be there.
We'll all chat about it, BlarneyStone, KB and I, and see if we think we'd be a good fit. And if KB and Regina/Maxine/TubeSock/PunkinHead/Sophie/CutiePie agree, we'll probably be out that night gathering supplies, preparing the three cats who don't suspect what cruel joke we're about to play on them. And arranging a date for her arrival.

Unless we all look at each other, shrug and say, "Eh. Not so much."

Odds of that? Slim to none.

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.