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September 2008 
GIVING WHAT I ASK FOR: A Second Chance at Bliss For A New Dog
Posted on Aug 25th, 2008
by 
GwenCaith
GwenCaith
Sometimes, the heart DOES just need a second chance; Tonight, lessons from my own experiences are benefitting the newest addition to my household.
When I went to meet the dog advertised on the Save A Pet website as "Peanut", I honestly didn't have much faith in him. Based on my having succumbed to stereotypes, I kinda figured that any dog with such a name had to be a playful airhead, who'd just as soon wrestle with any one of the neighborhood stray dogs, as give an owner the time of day.
Knowing, however, what it's like to be underestimated, I was willing to meet this young man. Mind you, I wanted a companion for Ruby, but her OWN airhead tendencies don't need to be encouraged; "Peanuts" wasn't going to get away with too much, based on my predetermined level of scrutiny.
Thank God, I know a thing or two about noise and chaos! With a few other dogs in the house "Peanuts" had temporary residence in, he wasn't particularly pleased to be distracted from wrestling with a terrier mix that was chasing him about the main room. Seeing my veterinarian friend Maggie and I approach, he let out a low but decidedly annoyed snarl, and disappeared out of reach.
Between all the animals in one room and the well-meaning owners' apparent oblivion to the stench of urine, it occurred to me that "Peanuts" was the calmest and quietest animal in the room...
HUMAN or CANINE.
Despite barely glancing at him, I realized this little man, despite all the activity of human, canine and feline, HADN'T BARKED. Instinctively, I realized that, as I'd historically had a nasty habit of 'acting out" in the midst of noise and negative influences, "Peanuts" was probably doing the VERY SAME THING.
I COULDN'T GET HIM OUT OF THERE, FAST ENOUGH.
Like myself, "Peanuts" calmed in the quieter environment of my little cottage. While dog Ruby alternated between exuberance at having a new house canine companion and ABJECT JEALOUSY, this new little man explored his new environs, without so much as a grunt in the direction of Rubys' angst and drama.
Like myself, then, he needed PEACE. Within his first three hours, he was allowing me to remove a restrictive harness prior owners had used to keep him from forging ahead during walks: On leash and collar with me, he didn't do this at all, staying right by my side in the drizzling darkness. As the border collies across the street, the chihuahua down the block and the 2 juvenile black labs next door barked out a cacophanous and cautious warning welcome, my new companion observed it all studiously and silently.
At my best and past my own nervousness, I don't make a lot of noise either. When i realized my best required a change of environments, it became simple, to pass the blessing lesson on, to those I care about.
As I changed my own name, when I discovered MY BEST SELF, I gave "Peanuts" the opportunity to do the same. Sitting outside in the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay, I recited a litany of names, til "Peanuts" responded to one....
and he's decided he's "Sammie" now.
When I went to meet the dog advertised on the Save A Pet website as "Peanut", I honestly didn't have much faith in him. Based on my having succumbed to stereotypes, I kinda figured that any dog with such a name had to be a playful airhead, who'd just as soon wrestle with any one of the neighborhood stray dogs, as give an owner the time of day.
Knowing, however, what it's like to be underestimated, I was willing to meet this young man. Mind you, I wanted a companion for Ruby, but her OWN airhead tendencies don't need to be encouraged; "Peanuts" wasn't going to get away with too much, based on my predetermined level of scrutiny.
Thank God, I know a thing or two about noise and chaos! With a few other dogs in the house "Peanuts" had temporary residence in, he wasn't particularly pleased to be distracted from wrestling with a terrier mix that was chasing him about the main room. Seeing my veterinarian friend Maggie and I approach, he let out a low but decidedly annoyed snarl, and disappeared out of reach.
Between all the animals in one room and the well-meaning owners' apparent oblivion to the stench of urine, it occurred to me that "Peanuts" was the calmest and quietest animal in the room...
HUMAN or CANINE.
Despite barely glancing at him, I realized this little man, despite all the activity of human, canine and feline, HADN'T BARKED. Instinctively, I realized that, as I'd historically had a nasty habit of 'acting out" in the midst of noise and negative influences, "Peanuts" was probably doing the VERY SAME THING.
I COULDN'T GET HIM OUT OF THERE, FAST ENOUGH.
Like myself, "Peanuts" calmed in the quieter environment of my little cottage. While dog Ruby alternated between exuberance at having a new house canine companion and ABJECT JEALOUSY, this new little man explored his new environs, without so much as a grunt in the direction of Rubys' angst and drama.
Like myself, then, he needed PEACE. Within his first three hours, he was allowing me to remove a restrictive harness prior owners had used to keep him from forging ahead during walks: On leash and collar with me, he didn't do this at all, staying right by my side in the drizzling darkness. As the border collies across the street, the chihuahua down the block and the 2 juvenile black labs next door barked out a cacophanous and cautious warning welcome, my new companion observed it all studiously and silently.
At my best and past my own nervousness, I don't make a lot of noise either. When i realized my best required a change of environments, it became simple, to pass the blessing lesson on, to those I care about.
As I changed my own name, when I discovered MY BEST SELF, I gave "Peanuts" the opportunity to do the same. Sitting outside in the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay, I recited a litany of names, til "Peanuts" responded to one....
and he's decided he's "Sammie" now.
Access: Public
This was a fantastic blog. I totally enjoyed this! Thank you Gwen!