When Mindy and I reunited after being apart 25 years, her plan to move here to be with me was beset by the fact she was leaving her two cats behind at her family home. I had pets during my childhood and the last one I had was my K-9 when I was a police officer on the mainland some years ago.
I started making preparations for her to come home. I started coming to the shelter to find her a cat so she may start a new bond with a kitty in her new home. I started emailing her different pictures I took with every trip. When she arrived, the first week we spent visiting the shelter and visiting the kitties. Mindy's job hadn't yet started so volunteering was something she wanted to do as well. Mindy chose a sweet tabby named Peter Pan. I was okay with it, not having been a cat person before. Suddenly I spotted a calico named Bombay. OK, I thought, Peter Pan would have a buddy and Mindy would have her cat, I would have mine.
There was a hitch with Bombay. She was brought in from a home she shared with a Pomeranian chihuahua mix dog. I felt bad about separating them. Little Jill was in a kennel and when I approached those little black eyes lit up, tail wagging and kisses to follow. Being used to big breeds, I was strangely drawn to this small fragile soul and fell in love.
I initially thought I would foster Jill so Bombay wouldn't be so traumatized then adopt her out later. Not so. We adopted her and based on the chihuahua mannerisms where she shivered like she was "chilly", we renamed her "Chili" or "Chilidog". "The Three Stooges" made up of Peter Pan, Bombay and Chilidog was set.
Mindy and I really liked the OSPCA and started doing volunteer work for them. Whether it was cleaning up and feeding in the kitty area, building sawhorses for signs, soliciting donations online or taking a dog or two to Petco, we've met some really wonderful people and are having fun.
One day while soliciting donations of pet food, cat condos and other things, I ran across a couple who were looking to give their dog away. In fact, if they couldn't find a home they were going to surrender him to the Humane Society. He had his shots, was neutered and chipped. Mindy met the lady in town where she got Bohdi, a leash, a bed and that was it. No food, no toys, nothing. We suspected they were getting rid of Bohdi to get a bigger breed dog but would not admit it. The lady turned around and walked away without so much as saying goodbye.
Bohdi howled the whole trip home. I truly thought the animal was going to have some real personality issues, which was the real reason they were surrendering him. We started fostering him that day. Gotta be a home somewhere for this special dog.
Bohdi jumped out of the car at home, not so sure why he was in this new place. I greeted him and he warmed up immediately. The Three Stooges weren't so sure at first, but within a week, they were like siblings. Jill stopped sleeping in her kennel and started sharing Bodhi's ultra plush large bed. Even the cats walk up to him and touch nose to nose.
I took Bohdi (By now we renamed him "Buddy") to Petco to find him a forever home. He was wildly popular but something didn't feel right that day. When we returned home that afternoon, Jill greeted him like her husband coming home from work. Even the cats ran up to him. He was tired, and glad to be home. I guess Buddy doesn't need a new home if he already has one.
Since fostering Buddy I have found he is totally trained, sits, lays down on command, is housebroken and does not bark when in the yard. He does alert when someone is at the door but is loving and loyal to all. He doesn't mark and squats to pee. I also found he is clicker trained. One funny trick he does is bear his teeth like a cheesy smile when you greet him or triple click.
We went from being alone to having a furry family. Funny how that works.
Mick n' Mindy
