Quarterly Review

After three months it is time to take a close look at a new relationship.  Stockholders expect a dividend.  Employers measure productivity.  Partners in a dating relationship make assessments too.


I took a look at the first quarter of the rest of Dudley's life, and some of his characteristics, and let him offer a few comments in response.  (Dudley is a rescue dog.  See Love at First Click for background)  I hope you enjoy.

Athletic ability:   Dudley is not much of an athlete.  He  loves to swim just enough to get wet.  He likes to run but he doesn't do it very often.  He is more of a marathon sleeper!

• Dudley:  she takes me for long walks every day.  She's able to keep up with me pretty well but sometimes I have to really yank that rope to make her hurry along, like when there is a RABBIT across the street.

Looks:    What could be more handsome and delicious than chocolate fur and beautiful soft floppy ears?

• Dudley:  everything is black and white to me.  I can see her and I like it when she looks in my eyes in that special way.

Nature-loving:   Dudley loves long walks to hunt for neighborhood rabbits and chipmunks and he has a beautiful pointing stance when he has his eye on one.  He finds toads catches bugs and loves to poke around under bushes in the garden, or dig a hole or two

• Dudley:  there are definitely not enough rabbits in the neighborhood.  She's pretty good about wanting to share these experiences but that rope keeps me from meeting my goals.  Just when I get close, she reins me in.  But every now and then one of the frogs gets out of the big water bowl in the back yard and I chase it until it jumps back in.

Wealth:  Never have I seen a dog with so much love to give.  He worships me, constantly aware of where I am, what I am doing and what I am eating!  His eyes tell everything.

• Dudley:  boy am I one lucky dude.  My first three years were not so great.  No fancy chow, no regular Milk Bones and nobody who loved me like this.  I used to worry about when I was going to be given away again; I haven't thought about that in a while.

Enjoys relaxation:  This dog is one expert napper.  He sleeps most of the day and all night.  He peeks out of barely open eyelids, not wanting to miss a snack or a field trip.

• Dudley:  the Kind One never sleeps but she sure does like to sit in that chair with the lighted board in front of her.  Some mornings I am ready for our walk long before she is and the waiting is intolerable.  This must be how humans relax because she does an awful lot of it.  My favorite time is when she scratches my belly.  Belly rubs are the best way to relax!

Protective:  That boy can bark!  No intruder could get past the front door or any other entrance without Dudley announcing them.  He is also extremely protective if he perceives danger.  Normally a calm and unruffled fellow, if he thinks another dog could harm me, he defends with every ounce of his energy.

• Dudley:  it's my job to make sure the house is safe and She is not in any danger.  Sometimes it just feels good to let out a big bark, and another and another.  But nobody is going to take Her away from me.  

Well-traveled:  Dudley came here from Missouri and he has already been on two long car trips totaling almost a month and about 3,500 miles.  He is a great traveler and loves the car rides and adventure (and the treats).

• Dudley:  when She says "want to go for a ride in the car?" of course I act enthusiastic.  She sounds so happy about it and, after all, sometimes it means treats and always means spending more time with Her.

Hunting for chipmunks in the wood pile

Intelligent:  Dudley is not the world's smartest four-legged, but he has enough smarts to get along just fine.  He is clueless about the danger of going in the street.  While he now knows to sit at the curb until I tell him he can cross, he fails to comprehend why.

• Dudley:  She doesn't understand that this sitting at the curb business means wasted time that could be used in chasing rabbits.  But it makes her happy and if I don't do it she won't cross the street.  Not smart if you ask me, but she gets along ok.

Already into our second quarter, Dudley and I make a pretty good team and I feel blessed with dividends.  He's good company and just the best sort of chocolate friend anyone could ask for.

Love at First Click: My Internet Best Friend

With a little help from Facebook, websites, and friends on the internet, I have a new love.  Losing Dallas just a month ago, I wasn't sure I wanted to look at dog adoptions right away -but  rather enjoy the chance to be away from home longer, not have to take walks in the rain and so on.  That lasted a few weeks.  I miss the companionship, I like walks in the rain, and I love having a dog.

Dudley grew up in Missouri and was rescued from a kill shelter by For the Love of Labs, an organization of dedicated volunteers that was started when someone saw a photo of a yellow lab that was to be euthanized at a high kill shelter the next day.  The lab was taken off death row, given a forever home and a new life and the organization was born.  Based in Connecticut, they have volunteers nationwide.  Their rescues are listed on PetFinder.

From a dedicated For the Love of Labs volunteer, Michelle, I received photos and descriptions that included Dudley.  Immediately I likened this dog search by internet to dating and job hunting using the same vehicle; they all involved resume-sharing, exchanging likes and dislikes, unrealistic expectations, photos that might do more harm than good, and first meetings that could be disastrous.

After completing the application, I quickly heard from Cathy, the volunteer in Missouri who was overseeing his placement with a foster family and his ultimate adoption. Much like online dating, which I have tried and failed at, I was captured by one photo and description, but worried about the fit, the personality and the needs (this was, after all a male dog, not at all unlike male humans).  

I almost backed out when I saw a forlorn photo of him and I thought "if he isn't a happy dog, how can we be a match?"   Who wants to be the cheerleader all the time?  I've had that dating experience and there isn't much in it for the cheerleader.  What I hadn't considered is that this poor dog had been on death row, saved by volunteers and spent time in multiple homes since being dumped by his owner.  What did he have to look happy about?  Maybe what he needed was someone to love him.

Dudley checks out the pond

I meditated and prayed about it and waited for a sign.  Sure enough, I got more than one.  I was about to get a new best friend.

Rescue adoptions can involve home visits, a contribution to cover transport, shots and other expenses, and answering some serious questions about how you plan to care for a dog for the rest of its life (example:  "What happens to the dog if you move?").  Volunteers go to considerable time and expense to place these animals who encountered bad luck that wasn't their fault.  They are fostered and carefully described on the website, cared for, given medical treatment and determined to be ready for adoption  before they and their families are nurtured through the process.


Cathy gave me regular progress reports and arranged transport on the Alpha Dog Transport, a dog transport program that safely gets rescues from a temporary situation to their new families.  He was to ride from Missouri to Pennsylvania where I would meet him for the first time.  

I did what new moms-to-be do: I hoarded stuff.  Leashes, collars, a tag with name and address, food, treats, toys, a bed.   I found a used dog crate, knowing I probably would never use it for my already housebroken 2-3 year old boy.


Meeting the transport involved a 2.5 hour drive each way, arriving at 4 am.  Denise, another volunteer, kindly volunteered to wait at the pickup location starting at 3 am until I could arrive about 4 am.  What a dedicated volunteer!

In the parking lot of a gas station, I tried to get a good look at him - but it was 4 am!  I confirmed he was brown and very short and his whole body wiggled when he wagged his tail.  This was far better than any strange cyber date.  


Now that he's home, he is doing a lot of sleeping, trying out all the rugs and the cool temperatures of the wood and stone floors.  He has started sentry duty in the backyard, carefully marking all the spots, tolerating the much larger and more energetic black lab next door, and barking at a neighbor her sun hat and dark glasses as she approached the fence.  He's enjoyed his neighborhood walks and has met lots of dogs.  He is so good with other dogs, never aggressive or rude.  He has marked the 'hood and sniffed it to his little heart's content.  

He's learning to sit (this really means he is getting a lot of yummy freeze dried duck treats courtesy of my sister...he isn't getting the "sit" thing yet).  But when I ask him, leash in hand, if he wants to go for a walk, he wiggles every part of his body and barks!  It's great.  


I'm thrilled I have a companion.  He's just a really flexible guy who wants to live his life in the calm. I might be able to take some lessons from my new cyberdog.  He's certainly a match that was only possible because of the wonders of the internet and the willpower of a lot of dedicated volunteers.


If you are thinking of an adoption, please consider a dog who has been rescued.  They are ready to be loved, and the volunteers help ensure that the dogs are a good fit for you and your family.

Lucky the frog

Great Blue Heron above the pond

One of Dudley's new jobs is guarding the pond from the great blue heron who has been in the yard today, presumably with an eye on those juicy frogs that I liberated from the international market (see blog Lucky Frog Liberation) since he has already enjoyed the fish.  His other job is keeping the rabbits out of the garden.  Since we lost Dallas last month, several baby bunnies have arrived, getting ready to eat all of my flowers and vegetables. They will likely be moving to the other side of the fence now that Dudley is in charge.  


As with any relationship, Dudley and I have a lot to learn about love and trust and comfort with one another.  So far I think I've fared better with my cyberdog than internet matchmaking or job hunting via the internet.  


Resources:


For the Love of Labs
Next time a pet-loving friend has a birthday, or marks a special occasion, or you just feel like doing something nice, consider making a contribution in their honor.  For the Love of Labs could use the support, and your donation will go a long way toward helping a good dog find a loving forever home!

PetFinder

Alpha Dog Transport