(Closing thoughts, yet to be published in Spirit's Dogster Diary.)
http://www.dogster.com/dogs/718182Recent events have caused me to bring up a childhood memory of the Moon Flowers out at Grandma’s place in the country. These plants bloom at night, hence the name. Even better, the flowers pop open in a matter of a minute or two not long after dark. Summer nights, I would be allowed to stay up late, and watch this magic as the buds opened right before my eyes. We would often choose buds and “bet” which one would bloom first.
Spirit was my Moon Flower bud.
Of the dogs needing a home when the time was right for a temporary dog, Spirit looked like an easy foster. He was a good looking boy! He had a heart wrenching story, and at just forty pounds, was a perfect size for adoption. So, he had three legs... Tripods aren’t so rare, one of my friends even had one. Thinking I would have this extra dog for just a month or three, I placed my foster “bet” on this bud, and invited Spirit into my life.
Things began quite well. It only took a matter of days for Spirit to house train. He quickly learned basic obedience and even a few tricks. Spirit was popular at the adoption stand too. Everybody visiting wanted to know his story, and many gave him hugs and pets. I was even inspired to create a Shutterfly story book all about him…
Many other dogs came into the rescue and were adopted out. But several months went by without us receiving a single application for my little guy. After time, Spirit like many dogs, became grumpy in the stressful environment of the adoption stand, so we showed him less. He began to have issues, mostly with my male dog, Manny. I never planed to have three dogs at home forever, and began to wonder if my chosen bud might be a dud, and never fine a forever home.
How could this be? I had spent quite the effort nurturing this bud! I provided a good environment for him. There were others of his kind here and they were doing fine. I trained Spirit. I fed him. I watered him… I can’t say I fertilized Spirit. More like he fertilized me, or at least the back yard. How I was to free myself from this needy dog that couldn’t seem to land a home?
It was at this somewhat stressful point in my foster of Spirit that THE application arrived. Having lived with Spirit for half a year, I had a good idea of what his forever home should look like:
Spirit would not be a good dog for the novice owner. He needed that perfect combination of a firm but gentle hand, rare even with experienced dog owners. I know occasionally I frightened Spirit with my own loud and boisterous manner. Spirit doesn’t like surprises. His great surprise in life was suddenly being hit by a car. That ruled out houses with children bouncing about, and pouncing of my already damaged dog. Nor would the party crowd be a good home, for many of the same reasons. Spirit liked to play with my Sadie, my female dog. I wanted him to have a pal…
The perfect application would begin with: Stable, married couple, no children, female dog…. This application had all that and more! This couple had recently lost their special needs dog, and wanted to reach out to another hard to place dog. They even had a female dog, the perfect canine companion for Spirit. In my wildest fantasy, I’d never thought to include both Behaviorist, and Counselor for the mentally ill in the job titles section. They had a cat; I was worried about that since I didn’t know what Spirit’s reaction to a cat would be.
A meet was set up at my Mom’s house, neutral territory for all involved. I can’t say things started out well. Spirit cowered up on Mom’s porch for much of the first meet, while Binger their dog marked off Mom’s yard better than any surveyor ever did. Meanwhile, I am thinking; “Nooooo, Spirit!!! This is the best chance you’ll ever have for a real life. Don’t blow it!” Fortunately the couple was interested enough to arrange several other meets, and during that time, decided that they would like to give Spirit a try in a foster-to-adopt arrangement.
It was time to transplant my little bud.
Instead of potting my little guy up for the move, I ended up washing off the home dirt. Can’t deliver a dirty boy! As I drove over, I thought of all the horrible things that could happen. (My friends will agree I am a pessimist at heart.) There was a cat. How would Spirit react to this new creature he was expected to share his life with? Would Binger, the existing dog accept Spirit as a pal in her home? Would Spirit be so defensive in this new environment that he growl and snap at everyone? Would I even end up bringing him back home with me that night? These thoughts chased each other through my mind as I drove over…
But, last night my little Spirit finally bloomed!
I count myself privileged to be there, as Spirit partially blossomed in front of my eyes just like a Moon flower. He and Binger, the female dog where zooming around like old pals not long after our arrival. Tails wagging, it was time to bring the dogs inside Spirits new home… The cat? Invisible!!! Spirit didn’t even pause to sniff him. I brought in some dog supplies to launch Spirit off to a good start, and watched a bit more.
Seeing smiles on all the faces except the cat. And cats, being cats don’t smile much anyway. It was time to leave Spirit with his new family. While he was happily exploring his new home, I whispered my good-bys to the couple and quietly closed the front door. I drove home with a tear in my eye, but with a smile in my heart.
Next year, I think I’ll grow some Moon Flowers...
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Good luck with Duncan. Too bad they won't charge the owner.
