Chapter Four
I went looking for a rescue dog in March this year, to no avail, just before our Level 5 Lockdown. As most of you know, we have had a very severe Lockdown here in South Africa.
My plan was to have volunteered at the rescue organisation, spending time with the dogs and getting to know them. Maybe I would spot my Mr Right when he arrived, but our Lockdown just went on and on and on.
As we have just downgraded to Level 1 Lockdown, I went looking again last week. Even on Level 1, there are still many restrictions and no volunteers at the shelter. I had to book an appointment and when I arrived I was stopped at the entrance to check I was on their list. My contact details and temperature were taken before I was allowed in, with a bright red sticker attached to my T-Shirt, saying, Screened! Everyone wore a mask and social distanced, and I sanitised my hands repeatedly.
I look on the shelter’s website beforehand and choose a few likely candidates, but you have to actually go and see the dogs in person to find if they are a good fit for you.
The dog above, Toffee, was estimated to be about 4 years old and described as having low energy levels; (2 out of 5); the kind of dog you take for a slow amble and then he sleeps at your feet all day.
Well, he came out of his kennel full of bounce, kept jumping up on me, pulled hard on the lead and was very young and strong! Much too boisterous for me these days and with a great deal of training required. I worked very hard to get these calm-looking sits you see in the photos!
I really thought, on paper at least, that Toffee would be the right dog for me.
I also wanted to look at Smart Boy, age about 7 years, even though I suspected he might be too big. Sadly, at 26 kg he was far too big and strong for me to manage; these days! Little Monkey weighed 23kgs and I need to go smaller.
Apart from the size, he is just the kind of dog I like. Street savvy and very mixed breed; just like my old Jack. We liked each other at once and he was more responsive to training, sitting nicely for a treat.
But I cannot adopt a dog that is capable of dragging me down the street, if he so chooses!
It’s not obvious from the photo above, but I am scratching his rump, which dogs like, not trying to get him to sit.
I walked round the rest of the kennels and came across Fluffy, who I thought had been adopted. I asked if I could see her too. She was estimated to be 8 years old and calm.
Now, she appeared to be fine, but I have been fooled before, by my collie cross Madam, so I was understandably a little hesitant. Madam was the most likely out of all my dogs, to bite!
I ask the kennel guy showing me around to take photos, so I can kook afterwards and see things I might not have picked up on at the time. Studying the photos afterwards, I could clearly see visions of Madam! My goodness!
So sadly, not this one either!
All the dogs I looked at coped well with people covering their faces with masks. I also wore sunglasses and a cap, so was even more disguised, but they dealt with it.
So no luck this time, but I’ll just keep looking.
My perfect guy, Mr Right, is out there – somewhere!
You will find the right dog I’m sure, or more likely the right dog will find you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you 😀
Yes, we’ll find each other eventually. I just hope it is soon! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, I would not be able to go with you on the journey looking for Mr. Right, because I think I would have went home with one and Harper would not have been happy!!😁 What an adorable group and I do wish one had been Mr. Right. My dogs have definitely gotten smaller over the years, but that hasn’t stopped Harper at times thinking she can drag me away from a photo. Wonderful that you have moved to Level 1 and were able to get out and brighten their day and I’m so glad you can search for Mr. Right again.🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your kind comment. 😀
It is hard to walk away without a dog, but while I might be able to manage Sassy in a small doggo, the days of being dragged around by a big doggo are behind me!
But it was lovely to spend some time with doggos. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
🐾🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
good luck for next time !
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much 😀
LikeLike
I think it’s easier to find a cat, at least in this part of the world. But please, don’t give up. I’m sure Mr. Right is waiting for you somewhere… Good luck, my friend!
LikeLiked by 2 people
There are plenty of adorable cats up for adoption here too, and I wouldn’t have to worry about the weight issue! – But I’m allergic to cats, so I’ll keep looking for my dog – but a smaller one! 😀
Thank you for your support. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’re all lovely in their own way. Practicality has to over ride the heart strings! TJ was cute.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you 🙂
Yes, I have to be able to manage the dog.
And TJ weighed only 16kg. 😀
LikeLike
About the same size as Maggie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dare I ask is he’s a possible? there didn’t seem much about him in your post other than a picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adopted TJ in 2006 and he was with us until 2012. He’s the photo on my WP Gravatar – and the dog on my About page. He was a particular favourite and LM liked him. 😀
LikeLike
ah. Lovely dog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
your perfect dog will find you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
He’s having a hard time recognising me this year – with all the masks! 😀
But yes, we will find each other eventually, Thank you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I almost thought you found Mr Right. Awww!!🤗🤗 It is ok. Keep looking and Mr Right will be there waiting soon.😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Before I went, I thought One of them would be the right one. I’ll find him in the end – but he’ll be smaller! 😀
LikeLike
Onward ho…the search continues till you find the right one🐕🐶
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes 🙂
LikeLike
Have you researched “Howl of the dog”?
LikeLiked by 2 people
No I hadn’t looked there – they have some lovely dogs.
But there are too many dogs in my own country needing a home, so I’ll find one here – eventually. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Um, I read there is a branch in your country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I Googled it I got the rescue organisation in Romania – which I’ve heard about.
I’ll keep looking locally. It’s exhausting so I don’t go every month, but there are always ‘new’ dogs needing homes. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Try youtube because that’s where i found it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just a thought — I assume you’re not in a position to take in a rescue child. There are untold numbers of abused children in this world who need a loving home. But, of course, abused dogs (or any abused creature) deserves to be loved, so I wish you good luck in finding Mr. (or Ms.) Right.
LikeLiked by 2 people
All the homeless should have a safe place.
No we couldn’t adopt a child. A rescue dog will only be with us a few years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s out there just waiting for you to rescue him. This is the year. 2020 had been such a complete bust for everyone, So I predict your “Mr. Right” is right around the corner.
I loved all of these puppies! But we don’t do these fur balls any favor if we adopt one knowing we’re not right for each other. You seem to be getting closer to your new best friend. Keep up the search. Rooting for both of you!
Ginger
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much 😀
Yes, all these puppies were great! 😀
And I’m pretty sure two of them are being adopted!
If I was 20 years younger, I’d have taken Smart Boy! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
In reading your synopsis, I thought Smart Boy appealed to you too. But hard to handle and understandably so. Keep the faith😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes – I’ll just keep looking, 😀
LikeLike
🐕🐶😃❤
LikeLike
It took me about 6-8 weeks of visiting Ray almost daily, to get a handle on his personality and suitability for me. Even then, it took well over a year after adopting him to flush out his idiosyncrasies and, just like people, we still keep learning about him … and he has been here since 2013!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes some dogs are more difficult to adopt. Two of those in my post will be gone within a week.
Ray was lucky.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It must be heartbreaking to keep looking. You will find each other I am sure!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you 🙂
Yes, it does take its toll.
But I will find the right dog for me eventually. At least I got to spend time with these dogs and they got out of their kennels for a while – and some yummy treats! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people