Monday, June 08, 2009

New Member of the family


This last weekend Layla and I both celebrated our birthdays. She turned 5 and I turned 30. More posts to come about those occasions.

On Saturday, as part of Layla's present we went to the Humane Society. Don't ask how Jason convinced me to do this, I must have gone nuts temporarily. We looked at all of the doggies there. There were so many. It was very sad. Most of the dogs were running around and jumping. Some were barking. Some were licking through the fences.

There was one dog who just sat quietly in the corner, not barking, not jumping, not running around. She had a sign that said her name was Abby. She had just turned 5 that week. The volunteer said that the best way to see her personality was to take her out on a walk and see how she behaved without all of the other dogs around.

When we asked to take her out they told us we needed to fill out the application first. The whole time I was filling it out I thought, I don't even want a dog!! They also wanted us to read the paper work that her previous owner filled out before we did anything else.

She was owned by a single women who traveled frequently for work and wasn't able to take care of her. Abby had lived with this woman for 4 years and 8 months, since she was able to leave her mother. The lady giving her up wrote that this had been a three year decision and she was so sad to get rid of the dog, but she just wasn't able to devote time to her.

We took her out on a walk. She was very timid around people, but wanted to see the other dogs we passed while walking.

Against my better judgment we signed the papers, paid the money and brought her home. It has been three days and I haven't regretted the decision yet. I know that it is early still, but so far, we have been very blessed.

Abby is fully housebroken. She doesn't bark, she doesn't jump, she hasn't tried to get on the furniture. She sleeps all night and lets the kids climb and lay all over her. She already is part of the family.

I will let you know if and when that changes.

6 comments:

Andy Laura Nick and Noah said...

Congratulations. I thought you were allergic to dogs. I hope you continue to not regret your decision :)

nichole said...

Remind me never to go to the humane society and see all the sad doggies. My kids are going to have to be happy just going to the farmers market and petting other people's dogs there.

Jessica L said...

It's official. You are having a mid-life crisis. :) Just joking. She is a cute doggy though. Oh, and in case you were ever gonna ask, I love you, but I won't dogsit for you. :)

The Tall Girl Cooks said...

You did the right thing - get an older, already trained and house-broken dog! The whole puppy thing is so overrated. I hope she continues to be a darling and makes you all smile!

Mike and Adrianne said...

I'm not sure if I should be glad for you or not. We like our dog, and then some days we hate him. But, it sounds like you have a great dog so maybe you will only ever love your dog. She is a very cute dog by the way. I bet the kids LOVE her.

Monson Family said...

That's great! Welcome Abby!!!