Breed All About It!

Ok. Now for the awesome stuff that's happened to me.

Several weeks ago my mother and I sat down and began watching Must Love Cats and Too Cute! on Animal Planet and began discussing the pros and cons of getting a second cat. We ultimately decided this was impossible because cats can be difficult and demanding. And Scout will definitely fight with another cat. He has lived with other animals before, specifically a black Siamese and a feral kitten we raised, who was probably half Persian. We also had a rescue Schnauzer. Unfortunately, moving, financial struggle, and conflict between pets, led us to just keeping Scout, my domestic short hair male. He is my baby; I have never had a connection to an animal as I have with Scouters.
But we wanted another pet.
I will digress here to say that I don't like kids. I like photography involving children (I mean that in the most innocent way possible), but if you are younger than the age of about 6, I can honestly find no way to relate to you. Babies frighten me. Toddlers irritate me. Kids in general are creatures I would rather avoid, as cold and bitchy as that sounds. Pets on the other hand, are like my children. If I could replace the majority of the world's population with puppies and kitties and gerbils and shit, I'd do it.
Anyway, I have devoted myself to several animal causes over the years since I was about 11 or 12 after we rescued our first shelter dog. Before that we lived with animals and had a lot of pets. I always found solace with dogs and cats.
Mom and I watched Too Cute! Puppies and lo and behold we looked at each other and knew. For that next week we did research. After that we began seriously talking about getting a dog. Can we do it? Do we have the time? Money? Sanity? We said yes yes yes lets do it. That old familiar itch began again. So we began the process of inquiries, rescue visits, contacting foster moms. We familiarized Scout with dogs again by bringing in Lola, my aunt's toy poodle. We even experienced "cold feet" of several fostering families who realized they were too fond of they're foster pet. I felt like a mom waiting to adopt a child. It's the same thing to me. We dog proofed the place, discussed names, bought a bed, treats, etc. Just like expecting parents. It was devastating when a foster mom backed out. We were close to just forgetting the whole idea when mom said, "Lets go." We found ourselves going to the pound. It has always been an emotional experience for me. But we found our girl. A chihuahua/Manchester terrier hybrid. About a year old, picked up as a stray. We thought she was perfect. And, two weeks later, she is one of the gang. Her name is Harper Lee and she is the biggest goofball I've ever met. She dig, sniffs, pees, eats, scratches. She is the stereotypical dog's dog. I love everything about her. And I have obsessed myself with wondering where the hell she came from? Why was she a stray? Why is she so people friendly but timid in certain situations? Either way, she is here now. Whatever her past was, it is the past. And now she can move forward as the best little dog she can be. She is so spoiled. She has her own crate, blankets, bed, treats, chewy and squeaky toys. She watches TV with us, especially the old game shows (Dawson!), rides in the car with us, tears about the yard, chases her own tail, nibbles our fingers, licks our faces. I adore her. She went into Petco today and had a grand ole time.She made a friend, another chihuahua. Named Chipper.

So, we have a new edition to our family, a cherished goofball. It makes me feel so good that we rescued her from the concrete floors of a lonely cage. Before that she had nobody. I tear up thinking that this loving little creature was alone and searching. But that is behind her. And now things can move on for the better. Pictures to come! And hopefully some more frequent blogging since I have nothing to do but be a stay at home pet mommy.

Oh and if anyone has any suggestions for a human interest article that I'm putting together, tweet me or comment below.