And Then There Were Two (Then Three Again…)

Sweet, sweet Darby was adopted this past Friday.  I had the chance to spend quite a bit of time talking to his new mom – I can be a little militant about where my fosters go. Darby’s new family includes 2 pyrents, a rescued husky (and she and her husband got rave reviews from the husky rescue) and a lab that her ex daughter-in-law was going to put to sleep because she didn’t want him anymore. Yeah, I know. A little more about the whole throwaway dog culture in a minute. And she feeds her dogs Eagle Pack! Darby loves everyone but was completely at ease with her and didn’t even look back as they walked out. As an aside, Darby has to be the easiest, most sweet, well-behaved and docile foster I have ever had. Had it not been for his absolutely vile breath (which improved as I fed him T/D), he would have been the perfect dog! So for about 15 minutes, we were down to 2 quadrupeds. I knew John would have Benny with him for a meet and greet with my girls which went fine. Jane has wanted me to take Benny for awhile – though mixed about letting him go. I met him once before when I was still not ready to have a foster again. Another very well-mannered boy – a more rambunctious and playful version of Darby and younger – about 18 months.  Benny, Bella and Jo have been having all sorts of fun playing and romping and Bella is enjoying bossing him around. Benny does have one issue – if he is in “his” house (now my house…) and a strange man comes in and I am not there to manage the situation, he will aggress towards strange men. Not bite in earnest, but growl and snap.  Does not apply if he’s on-leash out and about someplace. He was a failed livestock guardian on an Amish farm someplace and we now know he was abused. I used to be fascinated by the Amish – their simplicity of life, their values. I did research and read whatever I could get my hands on. Now I’m just repulsed at the blatent hypocrisy. First the puppy mills and now Benny.  I can see how in the value structure of hard work they would view dogs as only working animals and not part of the family and having great pyrenees I get that – many pyrs are livestock guardians only and that is what they do – they don’t live inside. But to abuse them when they aren’t doing their job properly (because of inbreeding and general evolution 1 out of every 50 pyrs is probably equipped to be a true independent livestock guardian – and then only if they are placed with their herd at a very young age) and engage in the puppy mill economy, presumably to make money? I didn’t think materials things were important. Anyway, Benny is not in that environment anymore and now lives in Eagle Pack, Merrick bone,  and home-baked treat land with Bella and Jojo where dogs (and cats) are king.  He is also attending classes with Warren Patitz to help him with the strange men issues.  So anyone looking to give this very sweet boy a new home, comment here.  He’s very funny, playful, affectionate and a little goofy but in a very endearing way. I realized today that Benny is my 8th foster – 9 if you count Bella – 7 of which have been adopted successfully to really great forever homes. Number 6 was not permitted to leave  I’m not saving the world, or curing cancer, or giving up the life I’ve worked to have - shoes, bags, HBO, overpriced coffee and pilate classes be damned –  but I do feel very good knowing I am making a difference, albeit small, in the lives of these dogs.