This puppy has the energy level of a small hurricane, especially in the mornings. LOL Yesterday, I let her out of her crate in the morning (she goes outside with me about 5 times in the night to do her business). She exploded out of the crate- and leaped on every piece of furniture we own. She was tearing around the room- cats were scattering and then she leaped on top of our antique chest and decided that wasn’t high enough. We have a 10 foot custom built (by Mike long ago) cat post in our living room and she leaped on top of the post looking quite proud of herself. Silly dog. I took a long look at her life with us and knew that this wasn’t the ideal place for her. She needs an active family with NO cats (she chases them in high-play mode, not a prey drive) but they don’t know that. She loves, loves, loves kids. She goes nuts when she sees kids. It’s like she’s saying to me: “Mom look, puppies on two legs!” She’s just all over the map.
I had to take Mike to Portland again yesterday and as always, Zara went with us. I talked to Mike about my feelings that although it was meant for me to rescue this puppy initially, it’s not to be that she is to stay here. He said he loved her, but he added, he only sees her for a few hours twice a week. He’s not there when she chases cats, eats Sharpies, yells her head off if I leave her alone for five minutes. So he told me he would pray about it and he knew I would do what was right for her. She was great comfort for me when B-Dog passed, but her journey ends with us and continues now with this new family who met her last night.
It was strange, I put the ad up on CL at 10:30 last night. I was completely honest about her having strong separation anxiety, chasing cats in play, eating everything she can find on the ground and her high energy level. I immediately got 4 phone calls and 10 emails inquiring about her. To me that’s crazy. I was interviewing people on the phone, trying to find the best place for her- evaluating emails and then my phone rings again and this woman’s voice says:
“OMG! I am so in love, I just saw your ad, please tell me you have this puppy still? I don’t have any money right now, but I have jewelry you can have for collateral until I get paid again- please, please my kids love her, we love her- can we meet her?” and on and on it went. The more she talked, the wider the smile grew, and I knew that Zara belonged with this family. I told the woman the money $60.00 which is what I initially paid for her wasn’t the issue. Finding the right home was top priority. She gave me her address and asked if I could bring her right then and there.
This was an answered prayer for me- not only did the woman have all the qualifications Zara needs- a large fenced back yard, kids, an active life and a lot of love, but today at 2:00 I am having minor surgery on my foot which will lay me up for a few days if not longer so I won’t be able to get up fast enough to let her outside to do her business or take her for walks.
I drove over there and brought Zara inside and she exploded- Lord have mercy she showed all of them what I was talking about in the ad, her high energy level. She was so happy to be there- she’s yapping and barking, running amuck in their big living room and the kids are laughing, clapping their hands and the adults are down to her level loving on her as she whizzes by. I’ve taken her out to a lot of homes and a lot of places and never have seen her exhibit such behavior before except with me in our home.
I knew then, she was destined to be their dog. I said goodbye to her and left. This morning, I got a positive report about her- she had slept in her crate all night, whining a time or two to be let outside to potty. So thankfully, that part of my training is working for her. They all love her- they changed her name to Midnight Blue based on the unique coloring of her coat- it has a bluish tone to it. The older boy was taking her roller blading this morning which she desperately needs.
I will miss her- but I have to say my blood pressure went down substantially this morning when I woke up and calm prevailed throughout the house. The cats were all clustered around me, I think they were thanking me for the absence of this whirlwind of a puppy. No more chasing around the house- they too can breathe again. I did rescue her and she rescued me- but this was not the home she was destined to grow up in-
I have always wanted a Border Collie since I grew up with one as a child. However, my husband and I got one about fifteen years ago and we immediately knew that the energy level was ‘way beyond what we could live with. Fortunately the previous owner had missed him and realized that he wanted him back, so we were able to return the dog without any problems. I’d still like to have a Border Collie, but now I’d have to have a very geriatric one that would just lie around and look pretty! My own health problems preclude a young, energetic dog, so I fully understand your situation.
how lucky that they were led to you and Zara. It never ceases to amaze me how things work in your world. You are there for them until it is time for them to be in a loving forever home. They begin their journey by making your life bright and shiny and then they go home. there will be a dog for you, one that fits you, mike and the cats. I think it will come to you when you least expect it, but it will come. You are just blessed with light from above. I need a vacation, it is my goal to come and meet you in person. that too will happen, one day! If it is meant to be, it will happen.
Sue, it would be a pure joy to meet you in person. You are welcome here at any time. I had to laugh last night, their youngest boy is 5 years old- what 5 year old can go to bed with a new puppy in the house? Mom kept sending him back to bed and he kept sneaking out to hug Zara. Finally mom put on her “mom voice” and thundered- “Go to Bed RIGHT NOW!” I had put Zara’s crate in the living room and the door was opened. She ran into the crate and laid down because her command here to go to bed- is just that Go to bed!
The little boy pouted and turned around to go to bed. About 5 minutes later, you heard this small voice come out of the bedroom “Puppy? I love you!” That’s when I knew, that’s when the tears dried up- Zara was finally home.
that is so exciting, it is going to kill him to have to leave her and go to school. she is going to be one busy puppy this weekend, I can hear the squee’s all the way here. That will be one tired pair! Are you kidding I am a bit older than 5 (cough) when I got a new puppy i slept on the couch with my hand where the puppy could get to it all night and I didn’t sleep just stayed awake talking to it. i would not be surprised to hear him sneaking out of bed to sleep next to her crate.
It sounds like Zara found the perfect home for her – and you were instrumental in that happening. How awesome of you to recognize your place in her fate and to be able to let her go.
Zara is not to be Brandi’s successor, after all, but she still needed a home where she could be herself. So, in a way, she was a kind of rescue. She has Brandi and you to thank for that.