Am…musings

It’s official … Trooper has a forever home. He’d been on two home visits before and ended up back with me so I was on pins and needles for several weeks. I finally got the “we’re going to adopt him” call last week. Yippee!

After having him for more than four months, I was ready for a break from fostering. There are a lot of dogs in need, but when the adoption wasn’t final, I had a good excuse. Now … not so much. Chewy is also driving me a little crazy (the BIG reason behind me fostering … a playmate for him).

I’m just not sure I’m up for it. Plus, I’m traveling for Thanksgiving and Christmas and finding dog sitters isn’t easy. So I’m thinking it’s not in the cards at the moment. I am thinking about a kitty foster though … not sure what Stray Rescue’s needs are when it comes to cats and whether it’ll solve my Chewy challenge, but it might be a fun change of pace.

A friend showed me this tear-jerker last night.

Lots of people ask me why I foster. Yes, it’s time consuming, messy and breaks my heart a bit when they leave, but my usual response is that it’s rewarding. Not to mention the puppies I usually take in are like crack to me … addictive … I crave the fix of sweet, cuddly goodness, silly antics and unconditional adoration.

But after seeing this video, the longing in these babies’ eyes for their angel … someone to just love them … pretty much says it all (and makes me cry like a baby).

If you’re able, try fostering (in St. Louis, Stray Rescue is always in need and there are similar organizations every where). And if you or anyone you know is looking for a feline or canine addition, please, please, please adopt from a shelter and consider older, less-than-perfect pooches or kitties.

I live in St. Louis County about a stone’s throw from the city line and 10 miles from the heart of downtown. I’m continually surprised by all the wildlife around here. It’s mostly of the small variety … tons o’ bunnies, oodles of squirrels, the occasional possum and raccoon, and scary bats (I just keep reminding myself they eat my arch enemy … mosquitoes).

Today, I had an up close and personal encounter. Chewy was freaking out so I stuck my head out the back door. About 6 feet away, engaging me in a crazy staring contest with its glowing yellow eyes was an enormous hawk, perched just above my gutter. I had seen it before, but usually mid-flight and fairly far away.

I was so stunned and awed I said very much way out loud, “holy f*cking sh%t.” I tend to have a bit of a potty mouth so it wasn’t entirely out of character, but I try to be careful so as not to shock the elderly neighbors. I had to break away from the staring contest to verify that luckily, no one was around. Even with my movement (and foul mouth), it didn’t seem at all phased by how close I was. But about the time I thought, I should go get my camera, it gently and gracefully flew away.

About 10 minutes later it was back, balancing on the electric wire behind the house.

I got that shot as I was going out to collect Chewy, who was frantically barking and circling below it. Chewy weighs about 15 pounds … a little too big for hawk cuisine, but he’s annoying when he barks incessantly and I’m guessing those crazy claws or beak could wreak a little havoc.

Even knowing that … it was incredibly awesome and impressive, and I’m looking forward to its return.

I love hot sauce … a lot.  If you agree and have never tried hot-sauce popcorn, you really should …

Place popped popcorn (low-fat microwaved works great) in large bowl with a lid.  Drizzle with a generous amount of hot sauce (of course, the first rule of cooking applies … you can always add more, but can’t take it away if you go overboard).  Quickly place the lid on the bowl and shake it up.  Enjoy!

And the thing I love most about hottt corn … it proves Chewy really is my dog.  It’s covered in hot sauce and … he loves it.

I met my Stray Rescue foster Trooper and his potential new mom at the vet a few hours ago. She and her husband wanted to have Trooper’s leg checked out before finalizing the adoption (in April, a three-month old Trooper was found by Stray Rescue with a horribly infected wound and they just want to be sure he’s ok).

Trooper was his sweet, adorable, but obnoxious puppy self … wanting lots of love, jumping on me. My black outfit was covered with hair – the way all my clothes, my car and my house used to be. It reinforced the fact that I do love him, but don’t miss him.

Then I got home.

Chewy took one whiff and got extremely excited. He ran to the garage door to see if Trooper was there. As I opened the front door to grab the mail, Chewy stood there trembling, completely anticipating that Trooper was waiting on the other side. Same thing at the back door as I went to let Chewy out.

Now I’m not sure … maybe the ass kicking of Chewy by Trooper really was playing … maybe I should have adopted Trooper myself. What I am sure of … Chewy searching for Trooper tonight broke my heart just a little.

P.S. The adoption still isn’t final … she wants to talk with her husband, who couldn’t make it to the vet … but it seems promising (that is if I still consider someone else adopting him a good thing).

Trooper’s been on a home visit with an awesome couple since last Friday, the 19th.

She called a week ago to ask if they could continue the visit to see how he did while they were at work. I haven’t heard a peep since.

I’m hoping no news is good news. And I know I should just pick up the phone and check in, but I’m scared. I miss him, but I don’t want him back. (I’ve also picked out new living room furniture that I’m going to buy when the adoption is final, and I really want to order it!)

Keep your fingers crossed, please.

Trooper is going to doggy day care. The idea is to let him play with the big dogs and get so tired that he ceases the Chewy ass kicking I’ve mentioned.

I dropped him off on my way to work this morning and then totally … and I mean not one more thought … forgot about him.

For some unknown reason at three minutes to 6:00 p.m. – closing time for Silver Maple Farm – I remembered. And completely panicked. It would take me more than three minutes to pack up and get in the car and at least 10 minutes to get to him.

After getting no answer at the kennel, I envisioned poor, lonely Trooper in the kennel all weekend … at a great cost to me (thankfully Stray Rescue is paying for the day care, but something tells me my negligence would not be covered). I jumped in the car and when I was almost there, was relieved to receive a call from the kennel checking to see if I was on my way.

After Trooper was safely snoozing in the passenger seat, I began to wonder if this – my undeniable scatterbrained-ness – isn’t one of the reasons I haven’t been graced with children (and ideally a husband to help me raise them).

Sure, I’d like to think it would be different when it came to a human being … my own flesh and blood no less … and not a dog. But honestly … I’m not so sure.

He might be a little furry, but he’s a gorgeous, strong, silent type. He also loves to give kisses and cuddle, and listens way better than any man I’ve ever known.

Meet Trooper.

He’s the sixth dog I’ve fostered through Stray Rescue in St. Louis. The other dogs have been little puppies and have found forever homes pretty quickly. Not Trooper – I’ve had him since early May.

I love this dog and considered keeping him, but it’s becoming painfully obvious he’s not a good fit with my own dog, Chewy – a 15 pound, lanky mess of curly hair and a so-ugly-he’s-cute under bite.

Chewy spends most evenings getting his you-know-what kicked by Trooper. When Trooper was smaller their antics seemed like good fun for all. Now, he outweighs Chewy by at least 30 pounds and doesn’t realize his strength. Chewy doesn’t enjoy the bullying and I don’t particularly like spending my evenings yelling and pulling them apart.

If you know anyone looking for a good dog, please pass this along. The adoption fee is $150 and he’s neutered, chipped and has had all of his shots. Here are more details.

Stray Rescue also is desperately in need of fosters if you or anyone you know might be interested. It is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. I’ll admit, the little ones are a lot of work, but I love getting a puppy fix and then sending them on their way.

Finally, if you know any non-furry, available, handsome men … I’m interested in being adopted by one of those!