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Ever have one of those dreams where you’re pursuing something, but it keeps disappearing? That’s how I feel about finding my next pooch. Every time I see THE ONE on a shelter website, I come to find it was adopted. Or I’ll visit and there are three dogs left, all the size of mastodons. Recently I realized the mistake I’m making.

But first, here are some non-negotiables in my search…

No puppies – – I was at the pound the other day. There was the most adorable, sweet, heart-breaking little white puppy. For a second my heart leapt. This may be it. Then I saw something on the floor of her cage, something that stopped me cold. She had piddled from the excitement of having attention, not just a little piddle… but a lot.

Wait a minute, I thought. I just went through incontinence with my old dog, Simon who had to be put down. Now I’m supposed to deal with another pee-challenged animal? I can’t do it.

Super large dogs – I’m sorry, I don’t want an animal that can either kill me or at the very least, break my limbs. I have friends with large, muscular dogs. Walking them is like herding cattle through the Oregon Pass. After four feet I’m exhausted and sweating.

No, I need a pet, not a wrestling opponent. I’ve seen wonderful large dogs up for adoption, but I’m afraid I must pass.

No short hair – What can I say? I love fluffy mutts. Then again, maybe I’m crazy. Simon was a “terrier mix” (to put it politely). No one could figure out what this animal was. He was fluffy…I guess. At least he had this coarse “industrial fiber fur” as my husband Randy called it.

He also had projectile shedding. I was always sweeping up tumbleweeds like I lived in Laredo, Texas. Wait, do I want that again?

No “super-active” dogs – By now, I’m learning Shelter-Speak. I’m learning to decode the little description cards hanging on each dog’s cage. I know what’s meant by “Trixie needs lots of exercise. She gets frisky when she can’t get outside every hour.” Code: Trixie tears up the joint if she can’t chase squirrels. Again, must pass. I don’t have the physical stamina for Trixie.

But here’s what I do want. And I don’t think I’m being too picky…

I want a small, cute, adorable, fluffy, housebroken, not-too-old but not-too-young, preferably female, black and white, cuddly, playful, intelligent, devoted lap dog.

Is that asking too much?

Apparently.

Unless… and here comes the fork in the road.

I get a purebred.

Recently, a male friend showed me a picture of his adorable dog — part pekingese and part poodle. My heart did a loop de loop. This is what I want!

Pekepoo via timandheike

The trouble is these dogs often cost over $1000 and breeders are far away. My friend had to drive to Pennsylvania to get it!

And what about all those rescue dogs needing homes?

And why is this process so hard? I found my other dogs easily. I walked into a pound, saw a cute mutt, pointed and clicked. Ren and Simon were great animals. We had them each over ten years.

Have the dogs changed or have I?

The holiday season’s upon us. I’m feeling pressure. How sweet to have a new four-legged family member among the tinsel and evergreens.

Lately every time I’m at the pound a newly-adopted dog is ready to go home. Everyone looks so happy. The dog wags its tail. The owner pats its head. They pull away in the car, smiles all around.

What’s the matter, I wonder? Why can’t I find my canine soul mate?

Then I realized the mistake I’m making…

Maybe I’m too fixated on perfection.  Maybe I need to widen my search and lower my expectations.

After all, I’ve decided I will get a rescue dog. Too many animals need homes. I’ll continue trekking through the shelters of southern Connecticut, reading description cards and trying not to gaze longingly at pee-challenged puppies.

Like my other dogs, I’ll know this animal when I see it. There”ll be something in his or her eyes.  He or she will smile. I’ll look at this creature and think, yup, I can work with this.

Maybe there’s a larger lesson here. When we open our minds and our hearts, the universe rewards us.

At least that’s what I’m hoping.

Stay tuned…

 

Has anyone else gone through this, looking for that special canine?  Or how about looking for anything your heart desires?  Did the universe reward your patience?  Comments are always welcome.  Thank you for reading and sharing.

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Comments(40)

  1. When you meet your dog, it’s love at first site. Go to a rescue site to find the breed you want.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      It will be love at first sight. I’ll know our dog when I see him… or preferably her. I’m surrounded by males in my house!

  2. I know that feeling. I was like that when thinking about getting new kitties, but we ended up having them fall into our laps. Almost literally.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Sounds like an interesting story, Heather!

  3. Maybe wait until the holiday season is over? So much hustle and bustle and stress anyways!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Very smart idea. I think I’m putting too much pressure on the situation.

  4. good luck, though – hope you find a perfect pup soon!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks so much, Bonnie.

  5. We thought long and hard before we got a boxer and he’s a darling. Just last week I rescued a little female Indian breed pup and she’s presently running circles around us and Pablo, but no one is complaining. Your dog will find you! 🙂

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thank you, Corinne. I think you’re right.

    • Lea Sylvestro

    • 8 years ago

    It DOES sound like a tough search…so hard to walk away from all of those hopeful, please-take-me eyes! Yes, a holiday break sounds like a good idea, but good luck when you get back on the trail!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks Lea. I know, those hopeful eyes do me in! I’ll guess I’ll chill and hope the universe sends me my dog.

    • Diane

    • 8 years ago

    I cannot wait to read the next chapter, Laurie! Good luck on your search!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks so much, Diane. So good to see you the other night!

    • Patty Erikson

    • 8 years ago

    my friend works at a shelter- maybe she can keep her eyes open for your wishes 🙂

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thank you, Patty!

    • Patty Erikson

    • 8 years ago

    my friend works at a shelter- maybe she can keep her eyes open for your wishes 🙂 also- if you search the AKC breeder individual websites, they may have dogs that are 1-3 yrs old and are alot cheaper than the pups- plus they are potty-trained and more–good luck!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Great idea, Patty. Thank you.

  6. When your new dog chooses you, you won’t have much a choice. I believe that each cat I have had picked me instead of the other way around. I can’t wait to see who picks you!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Karen, I also feel my cats picked me! There was always that kitty who poked their paw out of the cage and touched me or started playing. That was usually the one I chose and never regretted it.

  7. I adore this so much. We have gone from breeders – – black lab and a ull mastiff – – to rescuing to becoming dog parents to canines friends could no longer care for and each one has been such a different yet rewarding experience.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Carla, That’s such a wonderful, kind thing to do for animals. I’m always grateful to people who dedicate their lives to helping our furry friends. Thank you!

  8. We have an 11 year old cockapoo we adopted from a shelter when he was 6 months old. (I think tomorrow, I’ll share my post about his back story). Basically, I had promised my son we could get a dog when I started working from home, Even though he was about to start his senior year of high school, he held me to my promise. We walked into the SPCA, and Dino was being “returned” at the other end of the counter. I immediately blurted out, “We’ll take him.” My son was flabbergasted, “Aren’t we going to look at any other dogs?” “No!”. There was still some puppy rambunctiousness and the assurance that he was housebroken was, shall we say, hyperbolic, but my husband and I are happy to have him for our empty nest—-most of the time. Check out http://www.petfinders.com It’s a rescue site where you can specify location, breed(ish) and age.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks so much, Suzanne. I’m happy to report a few months ago we adopted Libby, part Yorkie, part Papillon. This post is a little dated, but knew many could relate. So happy you found Dino… and he found you.

  9. When you find the right dog you will know it. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time, but doing it the right way is always worth it. Good luck!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Shari, Luckily, I found my Libby or I should say she found me. She was up for adoption from a friend of a friend. Love her. Funny how life works.

  10. I just noticed the date of this post. I hope you’ve found THE dog by now. We have had luck with cockapoo rescues. They are the best and come in different sizes and colors. But, the love and personality are amazing. Hope you’ve found your pup!
    b

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Barbara, I found my Libby (left her picture on your FB thread). She’s mostly wonderful (with occasional housebreaking and yapping issues) but we love her to death. She makes life fun.

  11. I go for large and fluffy. As An Old English Sheepdog breeder of many years, it’s so deeply embedded that I’m quite sure it appears in my DNA.
    We have been OES-less for just over a year. I’ve started petting all the dogs I see in the street. And visiting dog parks just to watch. Yeah, it’s bad . . .

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Diane, Hmmm… maybe another one someday? You never know. Dogs are a lot of work, but do make life fun.

      1. I know how well it worked for you, so I did it! In April, I got another OES. And couldn’t be happier! Pandy has taken over the household. And my heart!

          • Laurie Stone

          • 5 years ago

          Diane, They have a way of doing that, don’t they?

  12. I am so looking for a new little dog and my husband is NOT having it. The problem you had is that mutts have become designer. What used to be cheap is now expensive.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Lauren, Yes, I guess pounds are charging more than they used to since there’s more demand. I’m glad for the dogs, even though its harder on the purse.

  13. Perfection is hard to follow and harder yet to re-create. So glad you have your perfect little Libby now. Pandy is watching me affectionately as I type. Who am I kidding? She’s just marking time till Daddy comes back in the house…

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Diane, I bet Pandy sees only love as she watches you type.

  14. I love this! Iknow it’s old post but a rescue dog is always a great idea!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Yes, love rescue dogs.

  15. I can sympathize with your search for a new dog to love. My kids keep showing me dogs that they want but that get taken by other families before we can get them. I hope you find a new dog to love soon.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Janeane, I’m happy to report we found Libby, who is larger than life. Your dog is out there. He or she will find you.

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