It's time. Time to grow our little family by one four legged friend. The girls and I are used to having a furry friend around the house, in fact, more than one friend has been the norm for as long as they have been alive! After we moved and got settled this summer, I started to look into adopting a dog. We hadn't found the right one when I found out my foot was broken, so the search was temporarily paused so I could take time to heal.
As I started to search more and more, there were a few little potential friends that won my heart over by their picture alone. Each time, these little critters were scooped up and taken to a new home (hooray for them, sad for me). As the school year picked up and got busier, I started to wonder if maybe the fur friend hadn't been found yet, because maybe we were just too busy to bring a pup home right now. I contemplated long and hard, but continued to look...I was putting my faith in my gut instinct...hoping I would "know" what the right decision was.
And one day, on the local shelter site, I stumbled upon a small little kitten. My heart hit my stomach and I stared at her picture for a really long time. Me? Not so much a cat person. In fact, I may be slightly allergic to them. But, that face. Suddenly, I found myself on google researching cats and wondering if maybe our new family friend would be of the kitten variety, instead of the puppy variety. I took a deep breath, clicked on the application for her, and crossed my fingers.
8 kitten applications and 3 weeks later, we are still without a pet. Who knew kittens and cats were in such high demand? I am currently on 4 waiting lists with area shelters for kittens who are not even BORN yet. Really?
However, I continue to search Pet Finder daily. And I have noticed a few things...
1. The staff/volunteers who name a lot of these critters have a really twisted sense of humor. Really, how well do you think it may work for that pit bull you just named Killer or Kujo? Likewise, when there is a 2 pound pup or kitten named Butch or a 70 pound giant named Fluffy, I have to chuckle.
2. "A little anxious/jumpy...may do better in a home without children" means this friend has been returned at least once for trying to eat a small child.
4. "Prefers to be outside of his kennel" means he will gnaw through anything resembling a cage, be prepared to have your home destroyed should you try to leave.
5. "Would do best in a home without other pets" means he has tried to eat other animals at his previous home or at the shelter.
6. "Likes to exercise" means this one's a runner...fence and leash required. And be prepared to chase him down. A lot.
7. No pictures...these friends need to win you over on personality alone, because should you see their pictures first, you may immediately keep looking.
8. Dressing the four legged friends in costumes has also been increasingly popular. Lots of santa hats, elf ears, jingle bell tutus, and more. The winner was from last night though:
Meet Baron Fluff Bottom.
I couldn't stop laughing. That face. That elf thing around his neck.
The fact that he knows how ridiculous he looks and wants to scratch the photographer's eyes out.
Oh Baron, someone is going to take you home and love you forever.
Unfortunately, I can't stop laughing long enough to fill out your application.
Admit it, you just grinned. You can't help it.
Those of you reading this blog who do not know me likely think I am incredibly judgmental. Not true. If my home was big enough to bring home all these friends, I am positive my heart would explode from all the love. Unfortunately, my heart is much bigger than my home. But, this is just one more note for the girls scrap book. Someday when they think back to their childhood, remembering that cat or dog we have had forever, they will see the Baron's photo above and grin wildly realizing all that went into bringing our life long family friend home.
Speaking of a new family friend, it is time for the daily Pet Finder web search. :-) Operation Adopt a Pet is in full swing.
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