Last week Patty took me out to look for a dog.  I had one all picked out and asked for from Dogs and Cats Forever and was told to come back on Saturday to spend some time with the dog I wanted and then if I still wanted her they would deliver her to me on Tuesday at the same time they inspect my house to see that I could take care of a dog.  Patty and I went in on Saturday only to find another woman there already demanding to take Dior home with her, she had been there the week before and told just as I was that she could have Dior.  After some words were passed I told that gal she had better give Dior a good home and she told me all about her situation and assured me she could and would give her a good home.  I tried to see a different dog but the director could not get her act together to bring another dog to the visitors room so I could meet it and I looked around only to find things were not clean there and the dogs were not happy so we left to think it over.

Patty convinced me to go to the Human Society Shelter and see what they had for a mature dog for me to adopt.  I didn’t have much hope but at least when we got there the people were organized, the place was clean and and we could go into the kennels and look at the dogs. The dogs were all happy and quiet.  There were three halls or wings full of dogs but most of them were large pit bull type dogs and not right for me at all.  One wing had just little dogs but most of them were already adopted and just waiting for their forever home were ready for them and they were all young, I wanted an older dog.  Just as we were about to leave Patty noticed a smaller dog come in from the outside part of it’s cell and suggested I look at her.  She was a breeder dog that could no longer give birth to a litter on demand and had been tossed out to fend for herself when the Human Society was called.  She seemed quiet, older and very friendly so we went and asked if we could see Serena.  Everyone was happy I wanted to see her and she was brought up to the front room for me to meet.  She had been there a few months and had never been up to the front to meet anyone so she was very afraid. Slowly more and more of the workers came into that front room and just took a seat. Serena and I talked for quite a while but she never really warmed up to me but when I was called to the front desk to sign a paper I left her leash there and went up myself and first thing I knew Serena had followed me and was leaning against my leg. We met eyes and it was love. I went back with her to my seat and the woman at the desk asked me if I was interested in Serena, I said yes! Then she said “Do you think you might adopt her?” It was a quiet almost afraid question but I never hesitated a bit with a positive YES! and a cheer when up from the workers who had quietly come in the room as we visited. It turned out she was the favorite of everyone there. They all loved her and was so glad she was going to have a forever home.
Monday she was operated on to she won’t have to worry about having any more pups and so the vet could give her all her shots and check her out for any health problems. They bathed her and cut her nails and got her all ready for me to come for her on Tuesday when the kids got home from school as the rules say she must meet all members of the family and react favorable or no adoption. They had no idea how she would react to kids so everyone held their breath.
When we got there Tuesday she was again very scared to come up to the front room. They had to lift her up the steps to come in as she was so scared she refused to go in. As soon as she saw me she came right to me and stuck to my side as she then looked around at everyone in the room. The kids were very good and did not rush her and she went to each one and was thrilled with each one as if she knew this was to be her family. They gave me a run down of what the vet had found and the bad news was she tested positive for heart worms. He gave her her first round of meds for that and instructed me on how to give her the pills and when as well as give me all the pills I need for the first two months. Then I have to take her back in and get the shots as by that time if I follow his directions her heart will be strong enough to take the shots. There are several follow up visits she will have to go back for over the next 270 days but if we follow all his directions by then she will have licked the heart worm problem and will be a healthy dog. For me the best part is they are paying for all of this and Shirley tells me that is about $3000. I was questioning if I should get the health insurance for her but I guess I should it is $35 a month and that comes out to about $400 a year which is less than what they are giving me in care for this one thing. And a lot less than I have to pay for mine and have paid for 23 years and one used once in all that time. I guess it is like having a child, you must do what is best for them and it is a lot just to know I can take her to the vet when ever I am in doubt without it costing me anything.
Now for the next ten days she is on complete cage rest for both her operation and her heart worm treatments. She loves her new home and has taken on the responsibility of the whole family, she loves them all and they love her. She comes to me to check out with me everything she does which lets me know she is my dog and I am responsible for her well being and care. She likes her new cage and her toys so I don’t think I will have any trouble keeping her in it and quiet. She does like me to sit near her and I will try to stay close for these ten days then she can follow me around. I am having trouble adding pictures to this post and when I figure it out I will add them. They have a new “easier way of writing a post and I can’t do half the things I did with the old way. Oh,well. I have one last thing to try and then I quit, just know we all love our new dog and she loves us. We have already bonded into a happy family.