Saturday, December 19, 2015

A Dog Owner Again

You may recall my 17-year-old dog Bean Sidhe died eight months ago. I felt a profound sense of loss, and I missed her terribly. For whatever reason, I grieved in spurts. I'd be okay for a while, then suddenly I'd be hit with a wave of grief, and I'd start sobbing.

Time does help heal, and eventually the episodes became less frequent. Finally, about a month ago, I began to think that maybe I was ready to get another dog. I periodically searched online for adoptable dogs. Two caught my eye; coincidentally, they were at the same shelter.

I went to the shelter this morning to meet the dogs. I liked both, and they seemed to get along with each other, so I adopted both of them. :)

One is a nine-pound Chihuahua mix estimated to be about three years old. She is black with a white stripe on her chest and three white feet.

The shelter staff said she'd come in with some behavior issues but had come a long way in the six weeks she'd been there. When I met her, she did not show any fear or aggression; she was immediately friendly with me.

When we got home, she was timid at first. She stayed in the kennel where she felt safe. But within a couple of hours, she was trotting all around the house carrying her little pink elephant toy. In fact, she was so active, I had trouble getting more pictures of her.

The second dog is a brown and tan Miniature Pinscher estimated to be about four years old. After my beloved Bean Sidhe, I have a soft spot for Min Pins. I saw this little girl on the shelter website, and I just had to meet her.

She was described as timid, so I wasn't sure what to expect. A shelter volunteer brought her into the room, and the instant he took off her leash, she leaped right into my lap. Within two seconds, I knew I wanted to take her home.

She had come to the shelter through the night drop, so the staff didn't have any background on her. It's heartbreaking how thin she is. She's an absolute bag of bones. She weighs only 5.5 pounds, half the weight of my similarly sized Min Pin Bean Sidhe.

Like Bean Sidhe, loves heating pads and blankets.

To help keep her warm, I made a little coat for her out of a sweatshirt sleeve.

So far, the two are getting along well. Little black dog did not want little brown dog in her kennel, and little black dog was a bit possessive of her squeaky toy... but otherwise, they seem okay together.

I'll take them both to the vet in a couple days for a checkup. I want his advice on helping little brown dog get up to a healthy weight.

In the meantime, I need to decide on names for them.

29 comments:

  1. I haven't yet managed to meet a Min Pin and I really want to! They look like tiny versions of my old Collie cross (who had short hair from his dad's side) I am glad you are finally able to have dogs again and have two wonderful little creatures to brighten your life! And it is great you got them from a shelter! They have wonderful little faces!

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    1. Min Pins can be challenging. They're stubborn and often very protective of their human. But give them enough attention and put a bit of effort into training, and they are fantastic little dogs.

      I'm not sure what to expect with little brown dog. She has much of the typical Min Pin character, but her personality is very different than Bean Sidhe's. She's quite timid where Bean Sidhe was never afraid of anything. But I'll get to know her soon. :)

      Adoption is the way to go! There are so many great dogs in shelters and rescues. And I get everything else secondhand, why not a secondhand dog?! XD

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  2. Oh my goodness Bane they are SO CUTE!!! <3
    I'm tearing up with happiness for you :') Can't wait to hear what you name them!

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    1. Thank you! I want to get some better pictures of little black dog because she is super cute with her big ears and little white toes. :)

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  3. YAY!!!!! BANE! Congratulations! :) Aw, I'm so happy for you. WHEE! What a wonderful Holiday addition to your life. WAHOO!

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    1. Thank you! Santa doesn't even need to stop at my house this year because I am all set. :D And I'll have lots of holiday time to be home with them over the next two weeks.

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    2. What perfect timing!!! Mr. Pumpkin is waving his tail at your new kids. He thinks they're lovely. I hope Indigo gains the weight she needs. *fingers crossed* and candles lit. HUGS to you and your new fuzzy kids.

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    3. Thanks much! And thank you, Mr. Pumpkin, you cute little guy! :)

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  4. I'm so happy for you to have tiny adorable dogs in your life again, but also very very happy for them because I know they have been adopted by a wonderful person who will do everything to make their lives happy and comfortable until their pasts are a distant memory.

    Looking forward to hearing their names too =]

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    1. When I first saw the picture of the Min Pin, I could tell she was cold, and she was painfully thin. I admit, I started crying... and I thought, "If you come home with me, I promise you will never be cold or hungry again."

      So I will keep her warm and fed, and my life will be greatly enriched in return. Adopting a pet is a mutual rescue. :)

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  5. Aaaw dogs are such a blessing. My little Jasmine will be spending her second Christmas with us this year. I hope your doggies feel at home and bless you with their unconditional love. <3

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    1. Thank you! Happy second Christmas with Jasmine!

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  6. That's wonderful news, Bane - for everyone involved! :D

    When you said night drop, I had an image of the chute where you drop your library books after hours. Not like that, I hope?

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    1. When the shelter said "night drop box," I had the same image of a library book return. I'd never heard of a night drop for animals, and I was simultaneously sickened and grateful that such a thing exists. I didn't ask any additional questions because, honestly, I couldn't bear the thought of it. But whatever the setup is, it's better than the alternative... at least you know that when morning comes, so does rescue.

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  7. OMG I'm soon happy for you. I literally cried with happiness. I felt your loss very keenly as it brought back memories of my own Jet and his passing. It gives me indescribable joy that you have healed and have found new love and two of them!!!!

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  8. Aww they are adorable! Congratulations to your new family members!

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  9. It's good to hear that your grief is waning, though I'm sure that the pain of losing your beloved baby will never fully go away. It's also so exciting to see that you've adopted two new babies! They look so adorable! I can't wait to see how they settle into your home and your life. Congratulations!

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    1. Thank you. Bean Sidhe will always be in my heart.

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  10. Yay, fur babies!
    Congratulations on some very adorable looking critters ;)

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  11. They are so cute and adorable! <3

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  12. YAY! So nice to see you have some new dogs!

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  13. Congratulations to all of you!! :-)

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