I Guess We Leave It Up To Fate

Okay. So, as I was saying, I am crazy.

On Friday evening Todd and I took the boys to PetSmart to pick out a fish tank and some fish. We ended up leaving empty handed when we spent a half an hour talking to the self proclaimed "fish nazi" about how much love and attention a few guppies are gonna need. I was overwhelmed and freaked out, so we left. The boys were disappointed but handled themselves very well. I was so proud of them. I, on the other hand, pouted and sulked all night.

Saturday morning I went to another pet store certain that I could get a fish tank and some fish without all the hoopla and craziness we had experienced the night before. That was short lived when I found that everything at this pet store was twice as expensive. I decided to make the trek back out to PetSmart hoping that the "fish nazi" would not be working and I could grab a fish tank and some food and hightail it out of there without someone else telling me I also needed to buy a million and one things to make my fish feel all warm and fuzzy so that they can reach their maximum age of 25 years.

Thankfully, when I got to PetSmart I discovered that the "fish nazi" was not working. A nice, young kid was very helpful even though he did get me to buy some extras and would not let me leave the store with fish seeing as how I had not set up the fish tank and let the water settle for the minimum 2-3 days. Egad.

I pushed my too full cart up to the register and stood in line. And that is when it happened.

The doors of the store opened up and in walked a beautiful, little pup. At least I thought it was a pup. He was bigger than most puppies. And, even with my vast knowledge of dog breeds, I couldn't figure out what kind of dog he was. Of course, being the nutty, dramatic dog lover that I am I immediately plopped myself down on the ground and watched as the little cream colored angel puppy trotted over to me. My oohs and aahs must have been music to his ears because he came right to me, curled up in my lap and laid down, resting his beautiful little face right on my shoulder. I can't explain it but I felt like we already knew each other.

"Oh my word! Aren't you just the sweetest little thing! You are an ANGEL PUPPY!!! Oh my WORD!!! Hello sweetie!!!" I gushed to the pup. "How old is your puppy?" I asked the lady attached to the other end of his leash.

"He is four months old. And he is up for adoption with Two Left Paws. He was rescued from a high kill shelter down south." She enthusiastically answered back.

"REALLY? He is up for adoption? Oh my WORD!" I said as I smooched and hugged angel puppy.

"You should get him!" The lady said.

"Wow, my husband would be so mad if I went out for fish and came back with a dog. And I have four kids! I can't!" I tried to talk myself out of it.

"Well I have seven children and he is wonderful with them." She prodded. "Besides, kids like dogs better than fish. Just go put all that fish stuff back and get the dog."

"Oh, I want to. You are just so sweet angel puppy! What kind of dog is this?" I asked.

"He is a Labrador Retriever and a Great Pyrenees mix." The woman answered.

"I thought he looked like a lab puppy, but he is so white and so big! And my gosh, what a calm little thing! AHHHH!" I couldn't help but squeeze the "little" guy.

Seeing how much I liked the dog the woman suggested a few more times that I put back all of my fish gear and get the dog. I stayed strong, reluctantly said I couldn't, and stood back up. I watched as the woman walked the pup to the back of the store. Though there were other dogs in the store the puppy never barked or really even acted like a typical lab puppy. He just calmly walked on his leash and sniffed at one or two dogs before moving on. What an angel!

The entire way home I thought about getting the dog. When I got home I set up the fish tank for my excited boys and didn't even dare mention the dog to Todd until later that night when the boys were in bed and Todd was giving me grief over our newly acquired fish tank.

"Hey, you are lucky I just got fish. I almost brought a dog home!" I teased him. Then I told him the whole story. I told him how the dog just seemed to "know" me and vice versa. I told him how I just felt like he was a little angel puppy. Like he was supposed to be our dog.

Before I could finish my story, the man that was so against getting a dog for at least another 5 years, said to me, "Let's get him!"

"HUH?" was my genius response.

"Call and see if he is still up for adoption. Or go online! Check it out! Email them!" he encouraged.
It took me all of two second to jump off the couch and pull the angel puppy's picture up on my computer. Todd melted when he saw it and again told me to check and see if he was still available. I emailed the agency and found out that he was still available. The agency asked that if we were serious about adopting the dog we should fill out an application.

The next morning I did a little research. I know a lot about Labradors, heck Todd even field trained them when he was younger, but I didn't know very much about Great Pyrenees other than the fact that they are very large. This is what I found from the AKC site:

In nature, the Great Pyrenees is confident, gentle, and affectionate. While territorial and protective of his flock or family when necessary, his general demeanor is one of quiet composure, both patient and tolerant. He is strong willed, independent and somewhat reserved, yet attentive, fearless and loyal to his charges both human and animal.

Um. Does it get any better than that for a family with four small children? I think not! And I could just tell he was a laid back dog. He wasn't jumping all over, frantic and excited and barking, like every other lab puppy I've ever seen. He was just really chill, taking everything in. Just watching everyone. And he is only four months old! I couldn't believe it. I felt like I had hit the jackpot. Like this was all fated. I wasn't supposed to be in that store. I was supposed to be in a pet store by our house, but instead I drove to the complete opposite side of town to go back to PetSmart even though I really hadn't wanted to go there again. And I was at the check out at the exact right time (thanks to all my hemming and hawing over the fish tanks).

And I've ALWAYS wanted to rescue a dog. Todd has always grown up with labs "with papers" so I knew that is what he would want, though I've always felt that mixed breeds really do make better dogs. And I liked labs just fine, but they really are one of the most hyper puppies you could find. Not this one! He is a perfect little gentleman. And a rescue puppy! Yeah! And, get this, the woman said he is POTTY TRAINED! Seriously folks? It doesn't get any better.

So I did it. I filled out the application and sent it in to the agency. We were approved! But, unfortunately so were three other families looking to adopt him. The next step is tomorrow. There is a meet and greet at PetSmart for all of the families interested in adopting angel puppy. We can ask the foster mom any questions we have about him and see how he interacts with us. Then the foster mom picks the family who gets to keep him. At first I was really bummed to hear that so many other people want my angel puppy too, but now I guess I get to see if it was really meant to be. If he was meant to be my dog, he will be. It really is up to fate now.

We haven't told the kids about any of this yet. I wouldn't want them to be devastated if we didn't get to keep him. I guess I'll just tell them that we are heading out to the pet store to get more fish and then casually take them over to see angel puppy. I really want to see how he is around the kids. But if the woman said he is great with her 7 children I don't think my 4 would be a problem.

Anyway, that is where it is at for now. I loved all of your comments on my last post. They really made me chuckle. Yes, I really have given it a lot of thought. I am under no delusions that the boys will help with the care. I know I will be doing it all. Although those crazy boys always fight over who gets to pick up dog poop at grandma's house because they love the pooper scooper, but I'm sure that wouldn't last here. I know I kind of have my hands full at the moment, but I guess I figure that as long as we are somewhat tied to the house because of our young boys and baby adding a puppy now (rather than when we are more mobile and able to travel and go places in 4-5 years) actually kind of makes sense. And as for walking the dog? Well, we go for tons of walks anyway. Plus we have a huge fenced in backyard. A doggie heaven, really. See? Doesn't it all sound rosy? I think so.

Now I am just keeping my fingers crossed that tomorrow goes well and it all works out. I'm hoping that fate will throw us a bone, so to speak.

Keep your fingers crossed!

(Did you seriously read all that? Sheesh! That was long. Sorry. I just felt the need to completely explain my insanity.)