Life can be dreary, the dim shadow of daily routines breeds resentment. To combat dull days filled with disdain, I fill Saturdays with sun-kissed trinkets. Today we went to the pet store. It is somewhere my children beg to go knowing full well if it's a weekday I'll say no- not because I don't want to but because there are no pets there then. Saturdays the rescues and societies bring out the rascals in droves. So we go and marvel, swoon, and grin along with a hundred other families doing the same thing.
The children always enjoy petting the dogs, cats, rabbits, and what-have-yous but today was even more grand. Usually there are a few dozen neglected mutts with sad looking eyes, pleading to be taken home. Today we witnessed the reassurance of life, the fighting spirit, and the determination of love.
Thor is a regal looking man with flowing black tail. His eyes are chocolate brown and his bark would scare away the most aggressive offender. Wrapped up in this black and tan shepherd is a heart of gold and a love that rivals the sonnets of Shakespeare. He needed a walk to stretch his long legs so the girls and I volunteered. This hundred pound beauty was a joy to walk on the lead, never pulling one way or the other but keeping an alert and inquisitive expression on his gorgeous face. My children are quite young and at first I was apprehensive to let them near Master Thor but I need not worry. The baby sat on the cement outside the store and he laid down next to her, smiling and sighing as she tugged on his rich black coat. Hailey planted her face in his furr and smiled at me. He's a little underweight but I'm sure when he finds the right home, he'll fill out well. The lady telling us about him says he's house trained, great with other dogs and cats, gentle with children, and full grown. What more could you ask for? I wonder as we move on to other dogs, why he hasn't found a home yet.
Honey is a shepherd/dotson pup and full of love to give. She piddled in her crate so we had the priviledge of holding her while they cleaned up the mess. My baby is an animal lover through and through. She talked to Honey and pulled on her soft ears. Honey didn't seem to mind and snuggled in closer. I guess she had a busy day because by the time the crate was all clean, she had fallen asleep in my arms. She smelled fresh from a bath and was soft and as well-mannered a pup to boot. My baby girl cried when I put her back. She walked a little ways and found a leash and drug it back to me. If only we could have taken Honey and Thor home with us.
Hailey loves dogs and picked out the saddest of the lot- a little black lab boy named J.D. who had an accident with a mower. He's cute and resillient- full of life and has lots of love to give. The sore on his head is quite a sad mess and his eye will be removed when he is full grown. He's a wounded little guy but with an amazing spirit. We had the chance to hold him too. His black coat was smooth as silk and his eye and head would didn't detur him from playing and romping with my girls.
Leaving the store was bitter sweet. Our hearts were full but our hands were empty. For a year now we've been contemplating adopting a dog. It always comes back to the same thing- we don't have the room and this house isn't truly ours. We'd love one and the girls would swoon over the royal beast night and day, but we must wait.
My Saturday has been filled up with sunshine, silly little pups and sugar kisses from my kids. I'm one blessed mom for sure.
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