Many months ago, my wife got this crazy idea that we should get a dog. I like dogs, but I really didn’t want to own one, because it seemed like a lot of added responsibility. I guess you could say I only like other people’s dogs.
But for months, the discussion continued. She really thought she could wear me down, but I remained steadfast. She showed me pictures of all sorts of dogs who were up for adoption, but I was always able find something not-irresistible about them. Or at the very least, I could rationalize and convince myself that they were resistible. But about a month ago, she showed me a listing on a pet adoption service that sounded like a great fit for our home. A quiet, laid back dog that wasn’t high maintenance. And as soon as I saw her picture, I knew there was nothing I could fabricate to convince myself that she wasn’t the right dog for us. So my resolve crumbled, and I agreed to go visit her at the foster home where she was living. We knew it was a good idea to find a dog in such a home, because it would give us some insight into her personality and habits. As first-time dog owners, we just didn’t feel comfortable rolling the dice on a dog straight from the animal shelter.
Laika* is about 6 years old, give or take. She was found as a stray last summer, and spent 7 months in a shelter. Just a couple months ago, she was taken in by her foster mom, where she lived happily with another dog and a few cats. When we visited, we learned that she was a really well-behaved dog, very affectionate, and quiet. And it almost seemed that she knew why we were there, because she started acting like she was our new best friend after about two minutes. There was no turning back after that visit…my stubborness had been melted away by a wet nose and sad eyes. We couldn’t take her right away, because we were both going to be out of town for a week, and didn’t want her introduction to her new home to be interrupted so soon.
But last Saturday, when we both had returned, we went to pick Laika up. We brought her home and introduced her to our cat (he has some adjusting to do, she couldn’t care less about his existence). Almost immediately, she seemed like she was right at home. We’ve spent some time teaching her the rules of her new home, but the transition for her seems to be going too smoothly for words. She’s been fine at home alone while we’re at work, showing no signs of boredom or anxiety. She sleeps every night on her doggy bed, straight through with no problems. She already acts like she’s lived here all her life.
She’s obviously a mixed-breed, but we don’t know what. Her markings and general size and shape suggest a major component is Black and Tan Coonhound. But something in the mix has turned the black into brown, and her head and body shape aren’t exacly like the coonhound. Whatever she is, we think she’s pretty. She’s a little chubby, but we discovered there’s a medical reason for that. She has a recently-diagnosed case of hypothyroidism, and we’ve gotten her started on the proper treatment. The vet says the few extra pounds, the dry skin, and the low energy levels will resolve themselves in no time now that she’s on the medication.
I know I was against the whole idea, but now that she’s here, I’m really glad. She’s such a good dog, and I know she appreciates having a “forever home”.
And of course I know better than to post a thread like this with no picture. So here you go: Laika
*That’s the name we’ve given her. We weren’t crazy about the one the SPCA gave her. In case you don’t know the origin of the name, Laika was the first cosmonaut to orbit the earth, a dog the Russians launched on Sputnik 2.
