February 2012

This is Gregory.  The latest addition to the Castillo household.  He's the little fella on the right. 

I've had a 3-dog household since b.e. - before Ernie.  Eugene is getting elderly and Gabby is 6, so it's time to add another youngster before neither can tolerate a new addition to the family. 


About a month ago I set my sights on a young hound named Mimi.  Her brother was adopted and she sounded like the perfect dog for our household - loves car rides, gets along with animals and people, housebroken, crate-trained, etc.  I met her at the pet stand and fell in love, although we didn't "connect."  That didn't bother me - she's a hound and they dance to a different beat, quite often.  Then I arranged a visit to the house.  She was awesome with Gabby and they ran around the yard like crazy.  Eugene was fine with her, too.  Then she came inside.  Hoo boy.  What she didn't have was house manners.  That dog was on everything - counters, chairs, after the cat, so busy I could barely keep up with her.  That wasn't a deal breaker at the time, but I did have to consider my upcoming schedule was going to be hectic enough....how was I going to deal with all that energy and corral it when I was not home? After an email to her foster mom and the rescue group founder, it was agreed that timing wasn't great and she deserved a chance for a home if it came along.  I had every intention of adopting her if she was still available after my travels and schedule settled.  


Then along came Dasher. After a few weeks of pondering about Mimi, I saw Dasher's photo in the paper.  (may as well get your coffee - another long story to come.)


Dasher was the last pup of a litter that I had actually seen at my vet's office around November.  They were being neutered and the last one was yowling because his siblings were in other crates after their surgeries and he was alone.  ( I should have made mental note here.) He was adorable and named Rudolph.  I had actually gone on-line to find Rudolph before Minnie was even on my radar, but he was not to be found.  Dasher, Dancer and a couple of others were.


Flash forward to early February.  I'm sitting in my vet's office again with Sass cat for a nail trim.  Out comes a brown dog, and he sits politely at the doc's doorway.  I'm curious, so ask, "Is that one of the reindeer pups?"  answer, "yes, that's Rudy. The (vets) adopted him.  So, this is why I never saw Rudolph online - I think he spent one more night in foster before the Doctors snatched his cuteness up!  "There is one left." Dr. L. tells me.  and that was Dasher, whose image appeared in the paper a few days later and who showed up on my Facebook page when a friend saw him and said "He looks like he could be one of yours."


So, I'll shorten this story and simply say, he's adorable, sweet and not nearly as well-equipped as Minnie for a new home, but calm, peaceful, and quick-smart. We connected instantly at his foster home.  (His Mama dog needs a home and she is sweet, too. If I had room....She is in foster care with Hickory Hill and her name is Bonnie - Mama dog) 
I have always said that my animals find me if I am patient enough and pay attention.  


Dasher came to my house on the 10th of Feb. and didn't go back.  His name is Gregory because it's what he preferred.  (it means attentive, watchful - and he is)  Things fell into place with my schedule and he's been able to travel with me or I've had someone to keep him company while he continues to adjust.  He's been through a lot in just 10 days.  (I'll post about some of that later.)


On Valentine's Day I discovered Gregory was born the same week Gracie died.  Energy and Spirit, reborn.       
(this is an update, March 2012 - Gregory and his litter were born Sept. 30/Oct. 1.  Gracie died October 10.)             


In the meantime, Mimi is still available and if any of you are reading this and love small hounds with lots of personality, please consider giving her a home.  She just needs a little "home-schooling" and she, too, will be the perfect companion.   Mimi