Bless My Husband

Yesterday, I ran up to the shelter to find a model.  I wanted a cattle dog for my calendar.  I have had several people sponsor a month with no dog so to fill those in, I am using dogs from the shelter.  Anyhow, I had one in mind.  However, when I got there, she had been put down.  Ugh, that always puts a lump in my throat.  As long as I've done this though, I know I can't dwell and have to look at who else I can help.  


So my shelter staff friend and I walked the kennels until I found two heelers.  One a red, the other a blue.  I chose the red.  His eyes were begging me to take him.  He didn't even have a name.  My staff friend asked if I would name him while I had him with me.  I said sure.


So I loaded the heeler up and headed East to the studio.  It's about a 35 minute drive.  He sat scared in the front seat, never peeping a word.  I always sing to them when we drive thinking that may calm them down.  Usually I just get weird stares like "seriously, you think that horrendous noise helps?!"


We made it to the studio and met up with the husband.  He was able to help me out which I LOVE!  He's so good.  Anyhow, I let the heeler hang out for a little bit.  He was very timid especially around the Husband.  Men seem to intimidate and scare him.  He stuck to me like glue.  I sat in the floor with him to reassure it would be okay.  He just laid his head in my lap and slept.


We did eventually get pictures taken.  Here are a few...

I named him Butch.  After the photos, we hung out in the studio.  He still stuck to me like glue. 


It was getting close to the time I usually return the dogs to the shelter.  But I just hated to send him back.  I usually hate returning the little ones too but in the back of my mind, I know they will more than likely find a home.  It's just easier for the small ones.  And the other two heelers I had seen there previously had already been put down.  I didn't want that to happen to Butch.  He seemed to have already had a rough go in life.  Only 7 months old and from his behavior, appeared to have been mistreated.  


The Husband saw it coming.  He told me several times we did NOT need another dog.  Which I replied, what is ONE more?  I asked if I could at least bring him to the house and see how the other dogs would react to him.  He agreed.  I would return him to the shelter if they did not get along.  


So home I went with Butch in tow.  I introduced him to the pack and guess what, they didn't really seem to mind him.  Not much drama at all.  Frankly, I was pretty surprised.  So I let him hang for a few hours.  


Finally, a decision had to be made.  The shelter would be closing in an hour and it is a 45 minute drive from the house.  I loaded him up and went to town.  When I arrived, I asked them if they could do some tests to check him out.  Make sure he was heartworm negative.  I was pushing the envelope with another dog as is, I certainly would not be allowed a sick dog.  


The shelter staff were SHOCKED when I told them I was adopting him if the test came back negative.  They happily did the test for me and we waited for the results.  Ten minutes later, it returned NEGATIVE.  Butch was officially coming back home to live with us.


He was never so happy as he was leaving the shelter with me the second time!  And he lit up when he came back to the house.  The Husband went outside after we came home.  He said you must have told him he gets to stay because he seems so happy.


Today, the Husband took a picture of me, the crazy dog lady, and all her kids.