Lady and Shakespeare
When we got a look at the puppies, we could hardly believe how small they were. By holding a couple, we also quickly discovered how affectionate they can be. They weren’t ready to be taken home yet, so we had to go back a couple of weeks later. We wanted two—a male and a female—so they could keep one another company. With about ten excited puppies nipping at our feet, it was hard to choose, especially since they almost all looked alike. Fortunately, two of the pups seemed to choose us. Could they be the same ones we had held before?
The pups had grown and were very lively, but they still looked a little malnourished. You could see their rib cages quite clearly. They were so small, they both fit inside a single cat carrier. They were a little anxious in the car, but the ride seemed to soothe their nerves. Once we got them home, we gave them new names: Lady and Shakespeare. We introduced them to our kitchen, which would be their new indoor romping ground, and they took right to it.
From the very beginning, they loved to sit on our laps. In the mornings, they ecstatically greeted us by chewing on our toes. Ouch! At first, the hardest thing about fostering was getting up for their potty break at 3 a.m. It was the end of February and still terribly cold at night. Nobody likes to use the bathroom outside when it’s below freezing.
With three regular meals and an afternoon snack, they quickly put on the pounds and went through growing spurts. They know exactly what “brekkie,” “lunch,” “snack,” and “din-din” mean. More than twelve weeks later and at the age of 5 months, they are at least five times larger. They now each have a crate big enough for a full grown pit bull.
They are still teething and have chewed through one of the first toys we got for them, along with one of Jake’s old toys, a comforter, and the padding for one of their crates. Like any kids, they love to get new toys. It keeps things exciting.
They love to play in the water. They took to the doggie pool like ducks to water. Lady loves to chase the stream of water from the garden hose. Shakespeare prefers to drink directly from the hose. Ironically, however, they don’t care much for bath time.
Their basic training is coming along nicely. They have learned to sit, lie down, and stay for short times. We took them to Muttfest, and they got along with the other dogs splendidly. The heat wore them out before it was over. Shakespeare got so tired, I had to carry him back to the car.
After the first week, we had grown so fond of them there was no way we could give them back. So we decided to adopt Lady and Shakespeare. They have been sterilized and now officially belong to us. They take a lot of work, but they give us a lot of joy and laughter. We love them dearly and are proud to call them
Amelia
But it can make for a one tired puppy.
Suzie Q.
Their was definitely magic at this years MuttFest. Susie Q. found a forever home! She had been here at the shelter for almost 5 years, so it is such a blessing to see her go to a great home! Her adoption was finalized on May 17th at MuttFest.
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I always check the Amarillo SPCA website just to see what pets are available. I wish I could adopt all of them, but unfortunately I can’t. I had wanted to adopt another puppy, particularly a small breed. I wanted a small, cuddly, snuggler of a puppy. I needed a close companion.
Well, one day viewing the website back in January, I saw the CUTEST pup ever. His name was Chance, he was 4 months old and he was a bird dog / terrier mix…. So I knew right away that he wasn’t going to be the small puppy I was hunting for. I showed my fiancé, BJ, his photo and info and we both fell in love with him immediately. BJ asked me to wait on the puppy idea though, because we were remodeling a house we bought and were fixing to move into it. So I put the puppy out of my head……….for about a week. I looked at the website a week later just out of curiosity… wondering who was available for adoption. Well, I saw Chance again!! What? He’s too darn cute to not have been adopted! But I didn’t press the issue with BJ.
Two and three weeks later, Chance is still on the website and still the cutest, sweetest looking pup on the site! I seriously fell hard for this guy!
On Friday, February 13, 2009 I showed BJ the website, told him that Chance is still there – possibly, if the site was up to date! BJ caved! He told me “If you really want him, call the shelter and see if he’s still there.” I didn’t know if this was a trick, because he’d told me no weeks ago. But I did it. I called and spoke to some ladies who said he was at Pet Smart out for adoption. I really got discouraged. He’s so cute I really, honestly, did not believe he would still be there. However, the nice ladies said they’d find out if he’s still at Pet Smart and call me back.
I waited soooo anxiously with my phone in hand for that phone call. About an hour and a half later, they called me saying he was not adopted today and they would have him at Pet Smart again tomorrow. I told the girl that I would love to come see him!!
We headed to Amarillo’s Pet Smart the next day. I was trying really hard not to get my hopes up, but lo-and- behold, Chance was still there! I was SO excited!! I went over to his crate to see him, and sure enough some lady grabbed him out of there and was petting and hugging him. I thought, “GREAT! She has already claimed him!” I felt the tears coming, but I still went over to him and talked to him and the lady. The lady put him back in his crate and stepped to the side to talk to whomever she was with. As I tried to make my way around the table to the front of his crate, some other really young girls beat me to him. I was done, but being nice I tried to wait patiently. I was seriously about to lay down on the floor and cry my eyes out! BJ noticed how frustrated I was getting at not being able to visit him, so he went to the ladies at the adoption desk and told them how we called for Chance yesterday and that I Really wanted to visit with him. Thankfully, she came and shooed the kids away. I opened Chance’s crate door and he came to me immediately. I picked him up and he just laid his nose/head right in my neck. He was so snuggly!!!!! My heart was his! BJ visited and petted him and I couldn’t just let him go… we played with his stuffed teddy that was in his crate and I talked to him and BJ snuck away to tell the lady, “Let’s start the paperwork!” I could’ve cried. Chance was coming home with me!! I could’ve done back flips!
So from Valentine’s Day 2009 on, Chance has made himself a home with 3 new best friends - Me, BJ and our 4 yr old Golden Retriever, Rooney. He and Rooney are so great together. They wrestle and play and snuggle each other. Chance is such a lovey puppy. He loves to hop up on the couch, watch TV and snuggle with me. He likes to jump into bed with me to go “night, night” but only for a little bit (he gets too hot). He’s definitely a momma’s boy! I’m so thankful for that!
He’s been such a good and smart dog. He was quickly potty trained, loves his crate when we have to leave, never chews on anything but his toys. He loves car rides and playing ball in the back yard. He has learned to sit, but is still practicing other commands. He’s SO good with kids and even babies. He doesn’t bark or jump at people; he just loves them and wants to be in their lap snuggling. He’s growing so much and getting so big! He’s really an angel.
He’s not the small breed puppy I originally hoped for, but he’s more than I could’ve dreamed of. He’s my baby and my best friend. I cannot thank the SPCA enough for giving me the opportunity and the chance to find my lifelong buddy, Chance.
