I picked up a black Cocker Spaniel from Animal Services on my birthday. She’s 2-3 years old and just lovely in every way. I think it was either fate or destiny. I was not even sure I really wanted another dog after the last few disastrous dogs.
We had one who would resource guard, run away from home, and was generally a terror- didn’t want to house break. His attitude was “Make me.” He didn’t make eye contact very well. He died from cancer at age 11. Our next dog was a shepherd - the most dog reactive dog I have ever met. She’s still with us and mostly well behaved as long as no strangers are around and no strange dogs either! Next was the dog we re-homed because she attacked the shepherd twice, attacked my cats, and resulted in the accident when I slipped and fell and severely injured my foot. My foot still has not recovered.
I had serious concerns about getting another dog. Is she going to attack my cats? Have major behavioral or health issues? After my injury I swore I was Never getting another dog. No more dogs-ever!
Then I had a dream about getting another dog. I dreamed about going to look at a dog, and it was our old dog Misty reincarnated. Misty was the dog I had as a child. I taught her to pull a cart and I drove her up and down the street like you would a pony. I would yell “side” if a car came and she would pull over. She loved to run down the road at full speed. I wore out my shoes, as I used my shoes as breaks and the cement would wear the heels right off the shoes. She really was a wonderful dog for a child. Big, gentle, yet affectionate.
I have no idea where that dream came from. I don’t usually dream about my previous pets. And a couple days after that dream, my friend emailed me about the cocker spaniel.
We picked up Madeline and she’s already part of the pack- accepted the cats immediately and gets along with everyone. I’ve never had a dog transition so easily to a new household. I expected some trouble adjusting, some behavioral problem, some issues with housebreaking, or barking from being lonely…I expected something. Not such an easy transition - full house privileges after 3 days. She likes to sleep in the recliner, will climb on my lap or sleep on my feet. Really impressed with how lucky I am to have a nice dog like this.
The questions haunt me…where did she come from? Why is no one looking for her? Who wouldn’t microchip such a nice dog? How could she end up as a stray? I’m guessing either an elderly person owned her or perhaps a student. It’s just so weird that she ended up at a shelter. If only all dogs were this well behaved.
Good luck with your new puppy and hopefully it is as nice of a dog as you could dream of.
