After our wonderful dog-sitting experience last week, Greg and I started researching dog breeds. We found the perfect breed (King Cavalier Spaniel) and starting looking at breeders around the nation. The price: $1800. OUCH.
So, on a whim, the kids and I took a trip to the SPCA last night. I've done it before, and it always hurts my heart. I just can't believe so many people choose not to spay or neuter their pets, when it is almost free if they just take the energy to get the animal to the shelter for the procedure. There were at least 40 puppies there, grouped into cages with their siblings. Most were labs. No golden retrievers :( So, I let the kids look at the dogs a few times, then headed out.
I had just loaded up the kids and was heading to the driver's side when a woman and her mother came walking up the sidewalk, crying. They were holding a little poodle and said to me, "Please take our dog. We can't take it in there."
"What's going on?", I replied. They then told me their landlord had threatened to evict them if they kept it (there was a "no pet" policy"). I then asked them a million questions about the dog, told them I would call my husband, and encouraged them to go inside and get the dog registered at the shelter. It really is a nice shelter, and I was pretty sure Greg would say no, maybe, or no ;) And yet, it felt VERY right.
So...I called him, and after a few minutes, he said YES! I went into the clinic to retrieve the dog, and the owners were sooo happy.
After a very tearful goodbye (these people seriously loved this dog), we headed home. I had no idea what to expect, but he is amazing. Totally potty-trained, wonderful with kids, doesn't bark, so loving, etc. What a blessing to our family!
He had a wonderful night snuggling his Daddy (Greg is smitten, by the way).
We headed to the vet this am for the full head to toe check-up and multiple vaccinations.
Poor sugar had no idea what was about to happen :(
This is Louis post-vaccination.
Tomorrow, he heads to the groomer's...
For now, he has a new camo collar/leash, tags, a chenille doggy bed, and some premium dog food.
He is a very happy dog.
The kids love him.
My bank account does not.
5 comments:
I already love him.. look at the sweet face!! I can't wait to show the kids his picture when they get home from school!
He is perfect!!! What a great addition to the family. You can bring him to our house anytime!?!
Love, Ann
Sweet puppy!!! How precious - it was meant to be!
Congrats and welcome to the dog owner club! Poodles are great dogs, very smart, easy to keep groomed, and easy to train. Will have to go dog walking with you soon!
Thank you for adopting instead of buying a dog. He is so sweet! I've had three rescue dogs (currently have two) and they're just fantastic. We have a brown poodle named Etta who looks a lot like Louis (build-wise). She was rescued from a puppy mill where she lived in a cage for 5 years just to have little after litter. She's now deaf, due to ear infections and the inherent noise level in a puppy mill...and yet, she so sweet and such a wonderful pet! I've become a bit of an evangelist about adopting dogs now and I love that Louis found a home with you!!! And David is right - Poodles are FANTASTIC dogs! We've had two and loved them to pieces - they're crazy smart.
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