No, no, it's not what you're thinking. I promised Kate if she pulled her algebra grade up, we would consider a puppy. I know I need my head examined, but I honestly thought that was a pretty safe bet. Who knew that once motivated (and tutored), her D would become a B and ever so close to the elusive A? It is so like Kate to make me pay for my bribes and promises. I am again reminded that one of the best ways to move Kate to action is to tempt her with proving her mother wrong.
So, the search was on. We followed a lead provided by a favorite cousin to a 'pawsitively' precious lab litter. But timing and location just didn't seem to work out for us. From that litter, however, we did 'adopt' a name for our puppy to be....Audrey.
Next stop the animal shelter. I really encouraged Kate to at least consider a rescue. A totally unconvinced Kate and her only slightly less enthusiastic Daddy headed over to Lancaster's shelter. Once there, Kate was smitten with a lab spitz mix. I don't think I even know what a spitz is, and it didn't matter. Before the required waiting period for adoption passed, another shelter picked up the pups.
With a restart on our search, a friend who does great work with rescue pointed us toward a couple of pups as well as showed us a beautiful litter she was holding until they could be relocated. Precious puppies, but still not quite right.
Not to be dissuaded or defeated, a few days later, Kate, having cajoled transportation from her dad who is always a pretty easy target where this child is concerned, was back to recheck the shelter, and there she was. A black lab mix, female, star on her chest. Kate had found her star....it was Audrey. Now, I often think female labs are a little more homely (is that the right description for a pup) than males. Those female snoots just aren't as boxy as the boys'. I think back to a female yellow lab pup Adrian and I bought years ago after the seller assured us that her head would indeed box as she grew older. In real estate, the term is puffing....not sure what it is called in the canine world. The bottom line is, he lied. Ten years after bringing her home, we were still waiting for Sunni's perpetually pointed nose to box. Audrey, like Sunni, isn't the most beautiful lab pup I've seen. In Audrey's case, shall we say her pedigree is at least a little in question. She most assuredly has a ways to go to live up to the legacy of beauty and grace her Hollywood Royalty name would imply. But Kate loves her. We again have a waiting period, yet another six day waiting game. The countdown begins.
Five Days Until Release....I am officially introduced to Audrey. Nevermind that I have 2000 things on my mind and on my plate, or that I actually backed my car into a tree (the same tree I have hit with three different cars on three different occasions..... Note to self: Call Davey Tree. This target is soon to be removed....) as we left for the shelter. But when I saw Kate cuddle this leggy, lanky little lab, I agreed. This could be our Audrey.
Four Days Until Release..... just as we think we see a glimmer of the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel....shocking news. The puppy, our puppy, may have been exposed to parvo during her time at the shelter. We are utterly helpless...because of regulations, the puppy cannot be removed until the requisite waiting period expires. But every day she is there increases her risk of exposure, illness, or even death. We have told ourselves if it's meant to be....if this is indeed Audrey....it will be. Time is standing still.
Three Days Until Release.....calls to everyone I can think of to beg for reason and Audrey's release. Let us get her to a vet for check-up and treatment if needed. But continued and staunch refusal from the sometimes bureaucracy of agencies frustrates my efforts. I know they are doing what they have to do. But, where is the sense of reason? Keeping a puppy in a risky situation when a potential owner is begging to adopt.....I don't get it. Meanwhile, each day seems to last a month.
Two Days Until Release.......I call the shelter. Audrey and her litter are doing well today with no worrisome symptoms. They are playful and eating....so far so good. Will we make it 48 hours?
One Day Until Release.....Kate, Daddy, and Friends again visit the shelter. Audrey and her litter are still seemingly doing well....playful. Maybe as she shows her tricks, she knows this family, my family, might be hers. Twenty four more hours.....come on, Audrey, let's do this, Girl!
It's here....D Day. Or should I say A Day or perhaps W Day...as in what was I thinking. That star on her chest is actually beginning to look like a "W". Maybe she's Republican, right? Nonetheless, Audrey is set to arrive. After last minute trips to Petsmart for puppy supplies and chow, we are ready. Audrey is coming home! I am very proud of Kate for rescuing. Maybe we saved just one puppy out of millions, but it seems we did the right thing. Stay tuned for her unveiling.....we're just waiting for that head to box!
No comments:
Post a Comment