My husband "Bobbie" has been bugging me for a dog. Days turn into weeks, weeks turn in to months and months watch the year and the next go by. I wondered if it was just a passing phase? You know so many people who always claim to want a pet, but really they don't. We were always so busy! I was working beyond full time in property management, as he was always painting and getting units ready to rent. We were super busy people, and had little to no time to add to our family, let alone to add a dog. I did not mind having a cat. Cats are simple. Cats are pretty self sufficient. But a DOG?? NO THANKS.
One of the really cool things about us, is we knew quality over quantity. Meaning, we knew we were busy people, which left our growing teen boys to amuse themselves while I was next door in my office. One thing we were adamant on was family time. Friday nights are movie nights, we would order pizza, and scroll through Netflix looking for that just right movie. This particular Friday was like every other, we all gathered in the livingroom, bobbie is flipping through snippets on Netflix and getting votes from the 3 teen boys all lined up ready to watch. They all agreed on Hachi.
The next day, I get out of work around 1 and as a family we decide to go look in the shelters. See what options there are. We had become accustomed to browsing internet profiles on shelter dogs, but none really called to us.
We arrive to the Humane Society, it really is a nice place here in Tampa. We were greeted warmly, we were advised on our steps and off we went browsing the shelter. We saw the most adorable wrinkly little puppies, and decided that was not the best option for our busy lives. We must be honest with ourselves when considering bringing home another family member, could we honestly take care of a pet the way they need to be? Continuing on we ventured up and down corridors, often covering our ears to the loud echoing barking of excited shelter residents. We would stop and talk to the dogs, we would read their kennel card, even talk of the possibilities. There are so many choices in adopting a pet. None really seemed to call to us yet, and for that I felt bad. Maybe dogs just aren't for us? We are browsing a corridor and as we come to a kennel labeled GOLIATH, I am horrified by this beautiful black dog with blood pouring from its mouth, I made my kids immediately turn back. Goliath had ate his metal dog bowl. WOW! Maybe a dog really was not for us! We skipped the last kennel, there was only 1 next to Goliath, and sought out a staff to advise of his current situation.
Whew! We needed a break. We ventured outside for fresh air and regroup. Grabbed a smoke and we were like - I just don't know! Wow .. who knew chosing a dog would be so stressful? This is a really big deal! So many people don't grasp that. It IS a big deal. It's a life dependant upon human compassion, interaction & growth. It is forever. They aren't like our human children who grow up and venture into a life of their own ~ no. It is a forever decision. Please understand that when bringing pets into your home.
We head back inside and take the rest of the shelter residents into consideration, cats, rabbits, birds, and once again, dogs. We knew our DIVA cat would not do well with another cat, that was out of the equation. Rabbits, well .. they don't really fetch to well? Birds are cool ~ but not exactly the companion my husband was seeking. Onwards through the corridors back to the dogs we go. Up and down the aisles, echoing barking screaming through my sensitive ears. We find ourselves back to Goliath's spot which is now clean, and he is with the doctor. Oh wait! There is ONE MORE KENNEL. One last cage we did not view. On that cage was one big word that decided it all HATCHI. My husband and I exchanged looks and says NO WAY!?! Are you friggin' serious? What are the odds??
My jaw about hit the floor, our boys excitedly began retelling the tale from the movie the night before, my husband was just as flabbergasted. NO - FRIGGIN - WAY?! * *WAY* *
But, wanting to be thorough, we also picked another dog, and outside we went. We tried to play ball, we tried to walk, we introduced the 2 dogs to each other. Hatchi had just had surgery and was not feeling the best, and the other dog, well she was older and did not wish to be bothered by any young guy. We let the staff return them to their kennels while we discussed. Could we provide for him? This is a HUGE decision! Did we have enough time for him? He is only 3 yrs old!
The look in my husbands eyes is what did it. It is like his long lost friend had been found - reunited at last. Okay guys - let's do this.
We return to the staff and proudly announce our wishes to adopt HATCHI. Formality paperwork, purchasing a collar, harness, leashes, bowls, balls & snacks PLUS the adoption fees and we were on our way home with our new boy.
Hatchi is the best dog a family could ever ask for. It's been almost a year now since we made that decision. Over the past year he has become very much a housedog, he likes his ropes, he loves to play fight with my husband (have you ever seen a dog drop kick a human?) and he is slowly getting used to vehicle rides for his manicures.
When considering adoption of a pet, please be honest with yourself! We knew we did not like dogs that are lickers. You know all over a persons face - that is fine for some, not for us. We also knew we did not like barkers. Bark if someone knocks, bark if you hear something creeping, but a quiet home is a blessed home - for me. We found that in our HATCHI. We were responsible pet adopters. Please adopt responsibly.
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