That smile! OMG that smile!
That curly tail and those little ears. He would be such a good size for living in a townhouse. How old? I thought it said 2 years old last time I looked… 4 or 5? Already potty-trained? Yes, please! Do I seriously want a dog right now? I already get to be an aunt to a golden retriever and see him whenever I want without the responsibility. What more could I ask for?
It’s a pandemic though, and I would have the time to be at home with him. It’s not like I’m hanging out with a bunch of people anyway. I paid off my loans, I’m working again…I think I’m in a good position as long as I don’t get a puppy. This could be the one! Bruno? We might need to change that buddy. That’s it, I’m applying for this dog. They could say no or pick someone else. Then God just doesn’t want me to have a dog right now.
Application sent! The beginning was a whirlwind. Too slow? Someone else might get the dog. I needed to be ready and responsive. When they emailed me back, I asked Purvasha to come with me to meet him, and we were on our way. I drove us to Northeast Minneapolis, parking on a side street a couple blocks away from the foster’s apartment. As we walked closer, I saw a couple people checking out a sweet dog with white paws that looked like he was wearing socks. I approached slowly, not wanting to get in his face too quickly. The foster introduced herself as he sniffed around our legs. She told us we could bend down to say hi to him.
I reached out, and he seemed a little hesitant. He was a bit more comfortable as I watched him sniff around Purvasha. The foster invited us into the apartment lobby to sit and talk.
She began telling us about the few days they had been together. “He LOVES walks,” she said. That was perfect. I have so many trails around me, and I love the outdoors. I asked about health problems and he sounded like he was in great shape. He was good with people and dogs. He was very chill and the foster would just let him come to her when he wanted to be pet. He likes Milk-Bones and gets fed a few times a day. He is house-trained, very obedient, and likes following commands and following her lead. He even slept in her bed—that’s sooo not happening for us. I am just not a dog gets to sleep in my bed type. There are plenty of other places for one to shed, and that doesn’t need to be one of them.
As we continued to talk, he flashed his eyes around the room. He looked so alert. I imagined he must have had to watch his back in his previous life. They didn’t have much history on it, other than he came from Texas, and had a foster for awhile before he was moved to Minnesota. I was encouraged to pet him while he laid on his side. As I reached towards his belly, his face puckered and he growled for a brief moment. I pulled my hand back slowly, and said I didn’t want to pressure him. The foster apologized saying she never had seen him do that before, but that the previous foster had mentioned something about him not liking when people crouched over him. I wasn’t super alarmed by it, and figured if that was all they were talking about that I could be vigilant of that. He seemed very well-behaved. I thanked her and we parted ways before his visit with another family.
Once I got home I played things over in my mind and went back and forth with Purvasha about what she thought. We wanted him. I really didn’t want any other dog listed on the site at that time, and was fairly adamant that it was him or nothing at all. I prayed that night God would either have them not give me an offer if it wasn’t the right time, or if they did give me an opportunity to keep him that it was. I don’t think it’s always that black and white, but that was where I was at.
Then it was full speed ahead. They reached out and asked me to send a video of my home to show that I could support a dog. I needed to have a vet appointment set up for the first week with him and share the contact info, and I had to have him registered for training classes. What a responsible place to get a rescue, I thought. I hurriedly asked friends for local references since I was trying to respond within 24 hours and booked classes nearby. I emailed all the information back and the foster said I should hear back soon. I was approved!
I was going to get a dog!
Megan Kiecker 