Like you, I am very busy-my writing for Harlequin Blaze, a day job, family, some extra college classes and annoying things like meals, housecleaning (though not much of that) and laundry (too much of that—living in Chicago during cold weather guarantees at least seven loads a week).
So what did I decide to do this week considering my schedule? Take a yoga class, get a massage, hang out with friends?
Nope, I am getting a dog—just the thing to ease a tight schedule, right? Well, not really, but I’ve wanted one for a long time. I found her on Petfinder.com, and she looks like a real sweetie, a German Shepherd who has a much fancier pedigree than I do. We are driving out of state to meet her, and if the rescue lady thinks it is a good fit, we’ll bring her home. 
I don’t know if any of you have ever adopted a rescue animal from a breed organization, but they seem pretty strict about just who gets a dog, which makes sense considering how hard they work rehabbing the animals and making sure they won’t take off somebody’s hand or pee on the rug every time the microwave dings. I haven’t worked this hard to impress somebody since my last job interview. In fact, I think I needed more personal references for the dog interview.
Her rescue lady said she would be a good tracker or search-and-rescue dog since she has an above-average sniffer for even a German Shepherd. I am sure she would find our house a virtual treasury of scents, except of course the illegal variety.
So what do you think, ladies? Am I certifiable for getting a brand new pet during the holidays when I have more than enough to keep me busy? Have you said “oh, what the hell” and done something similar? Do tell, especially if you have any good pet stories. If we are approved, I’ll post some pics. And Happy Thanksgiving!
Marie Donovan
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Reading the requirements for adopting a rescue prompted some serious house cleaning. You know your house is in bad shape if you think there’s a possibility someone wouldn’t let a stray dog live there.
Hi Marie,
I’ll be thinking of you and hope you are approved. I think it’s a proven fact that owning a pet lowers stress because you get unconditional love and acceptance and –in the case of a dog–all the stroking of the fur and hugging, and walking and playing with the dog alleviates stress also.
We rescued a mutt from our local shelter a couple of years ago and I LOVE my dog, Chloe. She’s part Golden Retriever, part…whatever. But she’s the sweetest thing, plus makes me feel safer in my home.
Good luck at the interview!
I’m sure you’ll be fine. They want to know you’ll love the dog & take good care of it. That’s why you have to jump through so many hoops. I got a rescue beagle from the pound, Roxanna, & she is now just as spoiled as the other beagle Kira, the border collie Molly, & the 3 cats. One thing I’ve found abt rescue animals is that you’ll never find a dog more grateful & loving. They’re a wonderful addition to the house, even a busy house. You’ll be awesome!
If only I could convince my husband to the one I saw on Petfinders!!! A german shepard as well. Sigh….
I wish I could have pets now. I live in an apartment where none are allowed. I love cats and dogs. I hope you get your dog. It’s always a good time to add to your family. Yes you will have to love and care for him, but he will love and care for you right back.
LOL, Heather! Why clean up the house when you will soon have dog hair and pawprints all over the place?
Jillian, I hope she works out as well. It also gives me an excuse to haul myself outdoors for some exercise.
Liz, I do enjoy the German Shepherds as well. I think sometimes husbands think, “Great, now I have to pick up dog doo and sweep up dog fur” without thinking of the fun side of having a dog.
Linda, maybe you could get a small pet, like a hamster? We babysat a hamster a couple times, and he was quite cute–a certain odor though. Ever since I was visiting my mother in the hospital and all she could do was talk about the therapy dog that came through and what fun he was, I thought that would a great thing to do with a dog.
Thanks for your good wishes! I don’t want to get my hopes up too high, but I would like to get this particular dog.
Marie
Hi Marie.
I really hope that you get approved! How we got our one cat is exactly one of those “Oh what the heck” stories. We went to our vet’s office one day for something or other and in the waiting area, they have what i call “The Please-Adopt-Me-Cages”. Usually there are cats or kittens in the cages, and you can take them out and visit with them. In the one cage, i noticed this adorable little gray tabby kitten, so i took her out and loved her up. I then handed her to my mom, and she cuddled right into her arms, which led to her name, Cuddles. After a while, i asked her with my best puppy-dog face. Please Mom? And than the vet came out and added to my begging and Mom with pseudo reluctance and a roll of her eyes. She said oh, okay, and forked over the $20 (for her vaccinations, spaying, etc). And so we got Cuddles. And we still had errands to run that day, and as it was summer we couldn’t leave her out in the car, she was so little i got the idea of putting her in my purse, i dumped it out and put her in, it was all cloth and i left it partially unzipped, so she wasn’t uncomfortable, and the whole time she didn’t make a peep. But when i took her out, we found out she actually peed a little tiny bit in the bottom of my purse, we just laughed though and tossed the purse in the wash, no harm, no foul. And we also got our dog Nellie from our local animal shelter. And our one cat Rosie we got from the same vet, she was free, because nobody wanted her. We couldn’t believe it, as she is the sweetest little thing and so goofy, and we love her so much. And our third and final cat Bootsie, she just wandered into our backyard and we brought her into our house not long before her first heat, and we got her spayed and she stayed in the house. But she does dart out the back door every now and again, but that isn’t much of a problem, because our dog is tied up in the yard and she’ll take one look at the dog and either jump up on the roof of my uncle’s car or go under it. Ah, life with cats. Such fun.
I hope you get approved! If you think you can handle getting a pet now I say go for it. Nothing like a pet to keep you company and give you unconditional love.
I really hope you get approved! Dogs are wonderful. Last year on the day after thanksgiving my husband brought me an early christmas present. She was a white fuzz ball tucked in his coat. She was about 2 pounds and was the cutest thing ever. Shes a Mini Alaskan Eskimo Spitz. We named her Tinkerbell(my kids really love the tinkerbell and peter pan movies, lol). She is a wonderful dog and I am so happy we added her to our family. Good luck!