calliecritturs
Posted : 10/21/2011 10:06:29 PM
I honestly don't think I would *ever* be capable of buying a puppy. It's just not "in" me. But like everyone else I have that little "list" of dogs I'd love to love some day.
1. Pug (I'm glad Rita TOLD me how much they shed LOL)
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
The only other on the "list" is a Tibetian Spaniel -- and I'm not sure I'd really *want* one but they have a personality **VERY** like my old Prissy's. I'm not sure David could handle that one.
My mother's family is all from the Susquehanna Valley in PA/NY. I have known of/lived thru/and helped in more floods than I can say. My best friend has lost her livelihood (thankfully her home was not touched but the school she's poured her life into for 10 years is g-o-n-e). So when Raine called me to talk to me about this dog, I wanted to help this family so much.
It's as if he's made for us. He's young -- just over 4. But no sign of the mitral valve heart defect. But it's the time he must be watched, and of course we can "do" that. He's blind. I've had blind dogs more than a few times. David hasn't.
Charlie's been thru *so* much. He's lost not just his home, but a family with children he adored. They can't afford to get him into Cavalier rescue, but his chances of any "good" home up there now aren't good because the area is so terribly devastated.
I'm human enough to admit my heart has been aching since I lost Billy. Luna and Tink are incredible, and such GREAT therapy dogs. But they are super bonded to each other -- not to David nor I. That's their happiness and I don't want to "change" them. We have room, and he fits my "has to be small enough for me to lift" qualification.
As an added bonus (and I was completely unaware of this) my holistic vet's bookkeeper is a Cavalier enthusiast and they are super knowledgeable about the breed, so I've got incredible support.
Charlie's a cute name but neither David nor I are happy about someone "naming" a dog something so unimaginative. So it will be fun to see what "nicknames" he gets.
ONe of the gals on the IMHA thread (she's active on Doggyspace) recommended PetAirways to me - and WOW. Those folks blow me away. The dogs ride IN THE CABIN. (the planes are gutted and fitted in the entire interior with kennels -nobuddy is in cargo!!) The price isn't far off what it would cost an adult human in coach. (so t'was way cheaper than us going up to get him and neither of us can afford the time off now)
WE leave Wed. a.m. to go to Ft. Lauderdale to get him and he flies from Long Island. That is the one drawback -- they don't fly from all major cities.
We'll get him later on Wed. and stay overnight down there (he's going to be tired -- it takes 18-20 hours to get him here b/c they do short stops so they can give them walks - I think that is so awesome). I just don't want to stress him by a long car ride when he doesn't even know us. So we'll stay at a La Quinta and come home Thurs.
He's bigger than breed standard (there's a whole long story of a yuck but expensive breeder who had him "on sale" because he was "the last one" *rolling eyes*) and I suspect he's someone's attempt to remedy the breed by slipping in a small American cocker. He doesn't *look* all that Cavalier to me. (Do I care? Nope - not a whit). And if it gets us past the mitral valve issue I'm good.)
He sees shadows only -- skittish with men (David's SO good at that).
Luna, surprisingly, is happy about this. Her reaction to his scent was really interesting. ALL wag (she remembers Tink's scent towel I think -- she 'gets it' that he's staying, more than Tink, I suspect). I doubt I'm being anthropomorphic -- she's my nurse dog. Extremely social, and always welcomes any dog with open paws. The 3rd pic is SO out of focus it's almost worthless.