We have always had rescue dogs, last year we lost both of them...not at the same time, think the second one was heartbroken, but they were both old.
Anyway I'm out rolling around with the wife and kids and they see puppies R us or something like that and beg me to go in. I tell them no puppy mill puppies but we can go in. We do, they love them all, I tear them away staying firm on no $2500 puppy mill pups.
Now they are all worked up, "Dad can we go to the shelter?" O.K. lets go. We go to the shelter...nothing but chihuahua's and pit bulls. I have come around on Pitts and know they can be pretty good dogs...they just are not for me. I don't want to deal with the stigma, I'm a big guy and don't need a scary dog to complete my look, I'm not opposed to small dogs either but don't love Chihuahuas...sorry just me.
Now the kids are begging to go to the SPCA shelter...fine, let me get some gas in the little Scout and we can putt putt over there. As we are making our way there I start telling my family I think we are trying to hard, all my very favorite dogs have just sort of come to me. We pull in to the SPCA and as we are walking in, an elderly lady is walking out with a really good looking springer spaniel, maybe a mix, maybe pure but boy is he handsome. My daughter says to the lady what a pretty dog did you just adopt him? she explains to us that the SPCA isn't admitting dogs today because the lady who does it isn't there. She explains she has to get rid of him because her husband passed away, she can't handle their house anymore and will be moving into assisted living where the dog will not be allowed. My kids are loving this dog and the lady asks "Do you think you guys might want him?"
I answered yes so quick it almost surprised me. This dude has been with us about 6 months now and we love him so much. I walk him every morning before work, my wife walks him after her work. My Mom and Neighbors love on him daily. He is so dam spoiled, I wouldn't mind his life. He is older, we got all his records after a trip to the vet...he is 8, I wish we got to have him even longer, I miss the first 8 already, he is my Dude. We are going to be really sad when he is gone he is one of my favorite dogs already. We take him over to see the lady we got him from every few weeks
Dogs have made my life better. I have always had dogs. I love them all but every once in a while there is one that is just super special. This dude is one of those. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year....don't be afraid of the rescue, some great dogs looking for love, open your heart.