And Then There Was This Dog...

So we had dogs growing up. A few, anyway. Mostly little ones that didn't shed, just had to be groomed once in a while. And that liked to pee on the carpet. Mom and Dad said we had a beagle when I was small, but I don't remember, and there are no pictures that I know of with said dog.

Anyway, we'd been in our new house for a week (which I love more than ever), and Saturday we had to do a lot of decluttering of the family room. The main living space was still filled with furniture and boxes that belonged elsewhere. But the weather was pleasant and Andrew and Benji wanted to be outside. No biggie. We live out in the wilderness basically, there are lots of places to wander and explore like I did when I was young.

Twice they came running in the house saying a dog was chasing them. I didn't worry too much because there are dogs everywhere, all belonging to someone, some distant neighbor. Besides, we have the fenced backyard and the boys closed the gates.

Later in the afternoon Meri went out to join them, and again they came in to tell me about the dog. But every time I went out to see, the dog was long gone.

About 5 o'clock or so, after Kendall and Peter had gone to the Priesthood session, the dog appeared on our back porch, laid down by the back door, and slept. He was medium sized, with the look of an Australian cattle dog mix. He looked exhausted, and even though I knew if I did anything nice, we were in trouble of permanently adopting him, but I couldn't stand it. I gave him some water, and then after a little while I ran around the corner to the little gas station on the freeway near our house. I left a note about the dog and picked up some dog food. I know, I know. Total marshmallow. But he was so mellow, and submissive, and hungry.

We spent some time with him outside. He has all the earmarks of a cared for dog, except a collar. He was neutered, his tail had been docked, he's house trained, he doesn't bark, he's not hugely energetic. He is a scrounge, which means I have to be extra careful about cleaning off the table, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Oh, and he likes to go through the garbage. That, and an increasing tendency to want to be around me all day, which looks like a lot of anxiety when we all leave the house. That could be a problem.

The kids love him already, but since I'm doing most of the caring for him, I'm not completely sold on the idea. I've discovered my brain has switched into "newborn" mode, that little part of me constantly being aware that there is another being that needs me all the time. I was enjoying getting out of that mode, frankly.

But if there was ever a dog for our family, this would be it. He's still on probation. We'll have to see. I have a friend coming over this afternoon. We'll see how he does with strangers. That might tip the scales a bit.

He looks like this, with a thinner frame and head, and black in his coat.