New Tricks

We have a dog. We were going by a Petsmart store today, and saw it, and adopted it. I cannot believe I have a dog. I began to think about it. I love dogs, and I've been around dogs all my life. This is the first dog I've had since I was in college. I did not even realize that fact, and it hit me pretty hard. I could have sworn that I have always had a dog.

This all happened because I wanted a latte from Starbucks. There's a Starbucks in the Super Target, right beside the PetSmart. I'm on a first-name basis with the people at the Starbucks. Every weekend, the local animal adoption societies set up out front of the pet store. This is all on the other end of the shopping complex I work at, so I'm there a lot, and always check out the new dogs on my lunch break. Linda and I were driving by, and I made the turn for coffee. She spotted this miniature schnauser right away. We went over, and spent some time with it. It's cute, it's really mild-tempered, and it can't bark loud. The next thing I knew, we were writing the check.

I'm still amazed. Linda got so excited that she started crying in PetSmart. We can't pick the dog up yet, though. The rescue people spay all dogs before they get adopted, so she has to go through the operation on Monday. They also have to check her for heartworms, and get her up-to-date on shots. I'm glad of all that, because it's things that we would have done anyway. They're taken care of.

I admire the people who operate animal rescue organizations like this one. It takes a lot of commitment on the part of the individual. It's a last-chance place for some of the animals. I wish all those people the best.

So, let the pictures commence. As soon as I get some taken, they'll be on the Internet. I cannot wait to introduce this dog to the two cats who, in their own minds, have it made. One has never even been around a dog in her life, other than the one time a friend brought a chihuahua over. She didn't attack it, but I have never heard a sound like that in nature. That cat has no tail, so when she gets excited her whole ass gets fuzzy. This is going to be fun.

This may turn out to be the most expensive latte I ever had.