Canine Welcoming Committee

Blogging Friends.... I'm a bit behind in commenting on your Web sites--again--I planned to happily "make the rounds" yesterday afternoon, but my day seemingly disappeared!! Sigh.... Where does the time escape to, anyway? Outer space? Just wondering....

Adopting canines. What a huge decision!! There are so many scenarios to consider!! Male or female? Mutt or purebred? Large, medium, or small-sized? And, then there are personal requests. Especially when you're picky. Like us. Prior to adopting Rose, I prayed for all that we had in mind regarding my second girl. Every day!! One of my desires? That, as a then three-year old adult, Rose be social. Toward people, children, and--especially!!--other canines. Why? Because, my first mutt, Shadow, was aggressive toward other canines. Shadow would spy one of her kind from blocks away, growl, lunge, and bark as though she were some trained dog fighter. I devoted years to working with Shadow--while somehow keeping my right arm in its proper place--all for naught. We. Tried. Everything. It was such a difficult journey!! Thus, while considering the adoption of my second girl, one can clearly understand why I wished to avoid "another Shadow". Been there, done that. I definitely got that experience out of my system!! Fast forward to present time. I have Rose. My Mystery Dog. A Beagle/German Shepherd cross, according to many, many, many guesses. My little girl!! Rose is the polar opposite of Shadow, so very, very sociable!! People. Canines. Children. Babies. She. Loves. Everybody!! In fact, I've laughingly found myself wondering what on Earth I was thinking regarding this answer to prayer!! Don't get me wrong. I am pleased and grateful for my "Social Butterfly". I love that Rose seemingly has zero foes!! I appreciate how I can embark on hikes with my girl, an activity which was seldom ever experienced with Shadow!! Rose is a dream come true!! My Heart Dog. In the end of our cul-de-sac, there has been this house. A friendly couple used to reside there with their "Schnoodle", Sammy. At least, I think she was a Schnoodle!! If Rose and Sammy were humans, they would have been considered BFF's. Rose and Sammy oft greeted each other with sniffs. I even walked alongside Sammy's owner down our cul-de-sac a few times. I loved those moments!! Alas, to our sadness, Sammy's owners moved away, leaving this house on the end of our cul-de-sac vacant. Lifeless. Like a haunted house inhabited by ghosts, witches, and goblins. It broke my heart to see this. For No home should ever be abandoned like that!! However!! Recently, my inner Sherlock Holmes noticed something different about this vacant house. Immediately!! In its front window, broken-down blinds had been replaced by brand-new ones. Yes!! Then, I noticed a vehicle in the driveway. Yes!! Following this, some sort of "housewarming party" was being hosted. Yes!! Next, I noticed this middle-aged bald man. My heart grew excited. Do we have a new neighbor?! I cannot wait to welcome him to our little cul-de-sac!! The other afternoon, I was granted this chance!! Only, it was not just one new neighbor. This middle-aged bald man has a wife. And, if I counted correctly, five daughters!! Wow!! I was walking Rose when I noticed the wife driving home. We exchanged smiles. Then, to my surprise, a few of their little girls were running towards us, Dad following closely behind!! Toward home. Rose, of course, grew excitable. She let out her high-pitched bay. Her happy sound!! One of their small daughters reminded me so much of this curly-haired, glasses-wearing, animal-loving little girl who we once knew. Her family recently moved away to Alaska. I introduced myself, and gave these neighbors a friendly welcome. They each mentioned their names, one by one. Then, the little girl who reminded me of my "Alaska" friend asked: "What's your doggie's name?". In all the excitement, I forgot to introduce Rose!! Well.... Rose would have spoken for herself, in uncontrollable, happy, high-pitched bays.... If I allowed it!!