Home by Another Way...

​We Rescue Labs---what’s your superpower?
We had the blessing of being visited yesterday by a couple who adopted one of our foster Labs.  Buddy came to us last February while Dave was recovering from his foot surgery (if anyone is counting, we had one heck of an interesting year).  Buddy came with a cone on his head, as he had major ear infections and had just been neutered.  As he banged his way through the house meeting our girls, we took him outside to see where to do his business and his cone caught on the concrete and he promptly fell in the pool.  That pretty much sums up the beginning of our couple of weeks with Buddy, but I also want to say that as a previous teacher of students with Emotional Disturbances who did pretty well at my job most days, Buddy gave me a run for my money.  He growled when we tried to put medicine on his ears or on his privates.  (Dave says “I would too”).  He growled when you tried to take a treat away from him.  This guy was a wounded soul.  Many of those behaviors we progressed through during his stay with us, but we were obviously hesitant when a slightly elderly couple asked to meet Buddy. 
“What if he bites them?” we asked each other.  “What if he knocks them over?”  we queried.   But the visit day came and Bob and Theresa walked in this house, sat on the floor next to Buddy and he curled up on Theresa and they hugged and loved for over an hour.  We knew it was a match made in Heaven, truly.  I won’t try to sugarcoat this story by not telling you they had to take him to obedience training, but this guy we saw yesterday was not the same dog we had seen nine months ago.  He was more self-assured, and kissed and kissed my face.  I guess he remembers.
 
Bob and Theresa told us they took Buddy on a cross-country road trip two months after the adoption.  They explained he was always a perfect gentleman in the hotel rooms and loved seeing all the parts of the country.  As a person who drives a good bit for work, I tend to look for the quickest route.  How long can I stay on I-10?  Bob and Theresa are the polar opposite.  They told us tales of their adventures because they always take the backroads wherever they go.  “You can see so much more of the countryside when you get on those little roads and stop in the country stores in small towns.”  They said people always come up to them when they are walking Buddy around these small towns and say what a beautiful and well-behaved dog he is. 
 
They have found the love of their life with Buddy and I believe he knows exactly where his home is.  He knows his place (even when he weighs in at 120 pounds) is in the recliner with Bob for afternoon nap.  I love that. 
 
If you haven’t ever heard James Taylor sing “Home By Another Way” take a listen and see if you don’t feel an urge to do something different.  I know I do.
Perhaps Bob and Theresa have it all right:

1.  Take a chance on the unlovable
2. Take the backroads to see the world
3. Love life and give back.

 
Happy Communicating!!!
 
Shelly

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