My husband and I are dog magnets. Which is why we cohabitate with six canines. No, we’re not a dog rescue organization. We’re just an ordinary couple that loves dogs, living in a three-bedroom house in the suburbs. More technically, it is the dogs’ house; we are just lucky they let us live here.
Our most recent adoption was a two-year-old Miniature Poodle named “Peppy.” It happened when we went to the computer store and came home with a dog.
Next to the computer store was a large pet supply store, and as an afterthought, we decided to run in and pick up some dog treats. We made it through the gauntlet of dogs up for adoption outside the pet store. But just inside, positioned beside the entrance was a dog pen inhabited by a long-legged, white French Poodle with a splotch of apricot-colored fur on his back. He had shiny brown eyes and sat watching the people coming in and out of the store. When we stopped to pet him, he stood up on his hind legs and licked our hands. The salesperson told us that the poodle had been there all day, but that no one yet had taken an interest in him.
No one? I thought.
We purchased the dog treats and left.
“Wasn’t he sweet?” I asked my husband as we drove away. It was more of statement than question.
“Yeah, he looked pretty frisky,” my husband offered.
“How could no one be interested in him?” I asked. And the rest is history. We ended up calling the store, racing back and adopting the Poodle just as the store was about to close.
Peppy turned out to be a favorable addition to our little family. He made a good adjustment to his new environment and to our other five canines. He sits at my feet as I write this.
I am not advocating that everyone should have six dogs, but I am glad that we do. With their funny antics and affectionate dispositions, they enhance our lives greatly. We keep them well-groomed and current on their vaccinations. They have enough room in our back yard to exercise and play. Most of the time, though, they like to languish on the carpet of our home office, gnawing on rawhide chew toys, keeping us company while we work. Fortunately, our dogs are small. Can you imagine if they were Rottweilers or Great Danes?
I thinking, though, of ordering our pet supplies on line, instead of visiting the pet supply. Otherwise, we’ll have to be licensed as a kennel!