One day, about 4 years ago now, I was browsing the free section of craigslist.org and spotted a post about a cat. In the title, they threatened to drop this tiny wee kitten off at the pound if no one came to claim this animal with the crazy personality. He turned out to be an amazing fit for our family. He survived the love of two toddlers with much patience and stoicism. We were sad to lose him earlier this year.
When we bought a house, we knew we wanted to get a dog. It had always been part of the plan. So one day, over three years ago, we stopped by the local shelter. “Just to look,” we said. After all, we weren’t closing on the house for another two weeks. So this was just a window shopping expedition.
There was this dog there, this larger-than-I-wanted dog, who greeted us with this happy tail wagging dance, tongue lolling out of her mouth, desperate to deposit kisses if it weren’t for that kennel door in her way. When we turned to go, this anxious-to-love animal let out this half-moan, half-heartbroken-howl sound. Apparently, Sadie fell in love even faster than we did.
We signed the paperwork that afternoon, and the shelter promised to hold our dog until we closed. The day we closed on the house, we picked up our dog. (We had a rough start for awhile there, but in the end I think she was/is the best dog for us.)
Then when our cat passed away at the end of this summer, after a few months, we decided to get the kids another cat. So we started looking around, and wound up back at the shelter where we had gotten our dog. We met these kittens, Boris and Spud, who had been abandoned twice over. Once to the shelter, with their brothers, (their own brothers, Boris and Spud are from different litters) and then again when their brothers were picked and they were each left behind. Sad, sad, sad. Their story was full of sad. So naturally, we HAD to bring them both home…WE HAD TO.
Today, while scouring the town fruitlessly for an advent calendar, I noticed a flier. There were these people who, due to financial troubles, are looking to sell their horses. Except for one, which they’d like to give free to a good home. Because she’s old. But she’s sweet and gentle and perfect for new or young riders (most likely because she’s old and slow and just doesn’t care anymore). And I found myself going, “Awww, that poor horse…”
Y’all….I live in town. I have about an acre of land. I mean, it’s a big yard, but it’s not stable-a-horse-big. And I really don’t need YET ANOTHER mouth to feed, or furry animal to care for. Plus there’s that whole new baby thing coming up in a few months.
And yet I STILL found myself tempted to take the number of these people with the poor horse who needed a home.
I think I have a problem.
Slightly Similar Nonsense:
- Death, Children and the Family Pet
- Nature Tried to Kill Me
- Sadie, The Family Dog
- My to-do list never gets done
- We Can Stop Suicide
