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Every since we adopted Dustin (the wonder dog) we’ve gotten emails from people who thanked us for adopting an older dog. In each case I felt like we didn’t need to be thanked. We were the ones who came out ahead. It’s like bending over and picking up a diamond everyone else just passsed by. I got lucky and made out like a bandit. So don’t thank me, I got the diamond. And yes, my 10-year old dog is a diamond. He came to me housebroken, calm, polite, and loving. And right from the get-go he’s given us so much joy.

The other odd thing is that despite all the work you’re in for people want puppies because they’re cute and playful. But Dustin doesn’t know he’s not a puppy. Yes, he’s a little stiff in the morning but he’s always ready to go for a walk. And he trots down the street like he’s got an appointment to make. He has warts and is a little gray around the muzzle but show him a squeaky ball and get ready to play. He also loves a good tug of war. And cute? He’s got a face that always makes me smile.

So what did I do? I adopted a mature dog that knows not to go in the house. Knows not to chew on the furniture, who loves to play and can still outrun me. Like I said, I got the diamond.

A friend sent me the following poem. It’s about adopting an older dog. WARNING, it’s a tear jerker. But I’m adding it here cause it does bring home the point that older dogs have a lot to offer and any dog adopted out of a shelter is a life rescued — and a friend for life.

>> ONE BY ONE …
>>
>> One by One, they pass by my cage,
>> Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
>> Way past his time, he can’t run and play.
>> Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
>> A little old man, arthritic and sore,
>> It seems I am not wanted anymore.
>> I once had a home, I once had a bed,
>> A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
>> Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
>> Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
>> My family decided I didn’t belong,
>> I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
>> Whatever excuse they made in their head,
>> Can’t justify how they left me for dead.
>> Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
>> The younger dogs get adopted away.
>> When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
>> You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
>> You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
>> And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
>> You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
>> And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
>> We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
>> You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
>> I may have lived most of my life with another,
>> But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
>> And I promise to return all the love I can give,
>> To you, my dear person, as long as I live.
>> I may be with you for a week, or for years,
>> We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
>> And when the time comes that God deems I must leave, I know you will
>> cry and your heart, it will grieve.
>>
>> And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
>> My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
>> And I will brag to all who will hear,
>> Of the person who made my last days so dear.
>>
>> – - – - – - – - Author Unknown

Well, we’ve had Dustin for a week and it’s been nothing if not interesting. I’ve started to tell friends that adopting a new dog is like becoming a new father. All of my important tasks this past week have been pet related: I’ve had to make a couple of visits to the pet store, took Dustin for a check up with the veterinarian, took Dustin to attended a play date with some other dogs, went over adoption photos with friends, planned on going down to animal services for a dog license but luckily got it at the vet’s, I’ve had my shirt covered in drool almost daily (both the cat and the dog slobber), had to deal with projectile vomiting, have filled up my pockets with baggies for possible “accidents,” and am continually breaking up fights as one animal always insists on annoying the other. If they could speak I know that the hissing and barking would be replaced with a perpetual chorus of: “He’s looking at me. Shut up. No, you shut up. No, YOU shut up. I’m not listening! Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. He’s in my chair! I didn’t do nuthin. He’s crazy. He’s touching my stuff! Can we give him back?” Etc., etc., etc.

Not that there hasn’t been some good moments.

It only took about twenty minutes for Dustin to feel comfortable enough to lie down, roll onto his back, and begin asking for belly rubs. (He’s obviously a fan of a good massage.) And though he started giving Catherine kisses on Day 1, it took him a few days longer before he got around to giving me kisses — and they’re butterfly kisses. He ever so lightly licks your face with just the tip of his tongue, as if he’s afraid to press any harder. A smart dog, he learn things very quickly. He learned the way back to the house after one walk around the block, he learned to “sit” for a treat after two or three attempts, and he’s learned to pretend he’s not interested in the cat till it looks like we’re not watching. Then he rushes over to poke him.

People have told us that we have done a wonderful thing by adopting an older dog. But I keep telling them that we’re the ones who came out ahead. Dustin is a good dog — with great manners and a gentle disposition. People who have met him can’t understand why nobody saw this before. The kind of dog he is obvious from the moment you get to know him. I really don’t have an answer for that. Maybe people just never took the time to get to know him.

So there you have it, week #1. We now have to get the carpet in my office cleaned, and we can’t wait till the cat and dog just ignore each other, but we’ve gotten to know a lot about each other and are settling down into a routine. Can’t wait to see what Week #2 brings.

Well, I have to say it’s been a long and exciting weekend. (I know, it’s Tuesday, but it took this long for me to find time to write about the weekend.) Where to begin?

We headed out on Saturday to Miami and to adopt Dustin. Our good friends Richard and Byron were so excited about the adoption that asked if they could come along. We were thrilled to have them and knew it would make the ride go all that much faster — which it did. The weather prediction was for showers but we managed to avoid the worst of it on the drive.

When we got to Pet Rescue, which is in the Miami Lakes area of Miami, http://www.petrescuemiami.com everybody was waiting for us: Kathy Wasconis (the Director), Kathy Cremer (the volunteer who told us about Dustin), and Dustin. He was bathed and groomed and sitting with a bright yellow bandana around his neck. Though Dustin has lived his entire life in the shelter, and had no expectations of being adopted, he looked like a dog about to go on an adventure. There was a certain glint in his eye and a smile on his face.

The adoption process was very quick and with rain threatening overhead and tears in everyone’s eyes we headed out to our hotel. The publisher of “The New Barker” (who wants to do a story on Dustin) had arranged for us to stay the night at the Hotel Indigo just off of SR826 at the NW 154th St. exit. The hotel, having heard the story of how we’d decided to adopt a senior dog hours away from our home, wanted very much to help us do this. I have to say, we’ve stayed in some very good hotels in places like N.Y., Las Vegas, Orlando, Boston, and the Bahamas, but we were never more welcomed or better treated than we were at the Hotel Indigo. The hotel did everything it could to make our stay, and Dustin’s transition from shelter life to being a family dog, as easy as possible. We are extremely grateful for their kindness.

Walking Dustin

On Sunday morning we took the long drive home. Dustin acted as if he’d been on dozens of long car rides and seemed to enjoy the entire experience. (As far as I know he hasn’t even done a dozen car rides, let alone any long road trips.) When we got home he immediately got to meet some of the neighbors and explore the yard. So far he’s had nothing but fun and the only person not happy with the situation is our cat. The cat is definitely of the opinion that a wild animal has gotten into the house and we must all be on our utmost guard lest it catch us unawares. I’m hoping that resolves itself soon.

Well, it’s been quite a week. Emails and phone calls have been flying back and forth as we prepare to get Dustin. The publisher of “The New Barker” (who’s interested in doing a story about this adoption) has arranged for us to stay at the Hotel Indigo in the Miami Lakes area. I googled it. It looks really nice. The Hotel Indigo is a dog-friendly hotel that caters to those who want a more exclusive experience for themselves and their pets. When the hotel heard about us adopting Dustin, they wanted very much that we should stay with them. And so we are.

I wonder what poor Dustin is making of all of this. He’s spent eight years in a kennel being passed over. Now he’s the center of a whirlwind. I know that he went to the vet yesterday to get checked out and brought up to date on all his shots. And Kathy, the Director of Pet Pal Rescue in Miami, said they will bathe him in time for our arrival. I have no doubt he knows something is up. But how can he know that it’s a positive thing? I can only hope that with time and love he’ll come to enjoy the attention.

Speaking of which, I spent over an hour at the local pet store picking things out for Dustin. It’s amazing how a large dog bed sticking up out of your shopping cart inspires everyone to talk to you. One woman smiled broadly at me in the aisle and said: “My, that looks like a comfortable bed.” Another dog owner explained the best way to clean the bed — “a little Febreeze on the inner pillow makes it smell fresh inside and out.” And one employee was not only happy to hear the entire story, she was even happier to us all about her dogs.

Someone once said that: “the outside of a dog is good for the inside of a man.” I’m starting to believe that.

I have always found it interesting how fast life changes. If you had asked me a week ago if I had any plans to adopt a dog I would have said: “Huh? What makes you ask that?” Cause not only did I not have any plans to adopt a dog. I had no thoughts of adopting a dog. And aside from a friend who thinks no household is complete without a dog, I’ve had no discussions about adopting a dog.

Guess what? I’m adopting a dog.

And not just any dog. Dustin is a 10 year-old German Shepard / Collie mix whom I haven’t even met. That’s right, I’ve only seen pictures of him. Wait, it gets better. I’m in the Tampa area of Florida. This dog that I’m adopting, the one I’ve never met, he’s in Miami. That’s a five-hour drive. I’m driving five hours to adopt a senior-aged dog that I’ve never met.

Why? Cause he needs a home. Cause Dustin was found at age two wandering in the woods and has lived in a kennel ever since (8 years). Because he’s so shy and retiring that nobody even looks at him any more. Because at age ten he’s a senior dog and people want puppies. Because when the call went out for help they attached pictures and in the picture was a dog with a sweet face and deep brown eyes that seemed resigned to looking at life through the bars of his kennel. And no dog should ever be resigned to that fate.

Dustin

Ok, I’m a soft touch. I admit it. Any animal that’s ever met me has figured that out. But I wasn’t looking to adopt a dog. I did anticipate that one day Richard (the friend who believes everyone should have a dog) would eventually break down my resistance and find me a dog that I couldn’t turn away. I just didn’t think that day would be this past Friday.

So here’s how it happened. There I was, minding my own business, when an email appeared asking for help placing Dustin. I get those from time to time. The Internet, despite what some people think, can be used for more than just porn. Sometimes it can be used to do so some good. The email had come from Richard, and it had been forwarded to him by his friend Marilyn, who had gotten it from a shelter volunteer by the name of Kathy. It was about Dustin and Kathy was asking for help placing him.

I knew I shouldn’t have looked at the photos. I knew that could be a killer. But I figured what harm could it do? I had to know what the dog looked like if I were to spread the word that he needed a home. Besides, Richard had sent the email out to about 20 of his friends and I could only assume Marilyn and Kathy had done the same. There was a ton of people who were going to be looking for a home for this dog. So I was safe, right?

I emailed Catherine at work: “What do you think about getting a dog?”

Not surprisingly she wanted to know what I was talking about. I told her. I then forwarded her the original email telling Dustin’s story but left the photos out. Catherine grew up with a Shepard mix and Dustin looked a lot like her dog. It would be unfair to play that card on her. She wrote back: “Send the photos.”

I did. Then I contacted Richard to ask for more information. There was a phone number for Kathy in the email but the area code wasn’t local. Where was Dustin located?

Richard was thrilled that I was interested but admitted not knowing any more than I did. But not to worry, he would find out more and get back to me. While I was waiting to hear from him, Catherine responded to the email that had the photos. Her only comment was: “Contact Richard.” Well, at least she wasn’t going to be angry that I HAD contacted Richard. I then realized that I had an email address for Kathy. So I emailed her that I wanted to know more about Dustin. I was interested.

Within twenty minutes of my email to Richard, he gets back to me that he wasn’t able to get any extra information. His friend Marilyn didn’t know any more than he did and he tried calling the phone number on the email but no one answered. He left a message asking Kathy to contact either one of us. But he was able to figure out that Dustin wasn’t local, he’s in Miami. (Oh well, I’d been meaning to see that city.)

Then I got an email from Kathy. She was thrilled that I was interested. She told me that Dustin is a great dog: healthy, smart, and housebroken. His only drawback is that he isn’t a bubbly, happy, dog. He’s shy and reserved and takes time to warm up to people. Also, there was somebody already looking at Dustin. But that person wasn’t sure if they wanted him cause he was so restrained. That person did plan to make a decision by Sunday and Kathy would be happy to let me know what that decision was.

I wrote back that I’d wait and that I wasn’t bothered by the fact that Dustin wasn’t a bubbly dog. I’d accept him if he stayed quiet and shy and enjoy him if he came out of his shell. I told her that I honestly felt that after eight years in a kennel, having never had a home, it only made sense that Dustin wasn’t about to get excited when someone came into his life. Cause up to now, nobody ever stayed in his life. He never got adopted. He never went home. I completely understood that it would take time for him to warm up to me (if he ever did). Cause it would take time for him to realize that his life had changed and that he now had a home. I was willing to give him that time.

Well, as you can guess, Sunday came and that other person decided not to take Dustin. Kathy emailed to ask if I was still interested. Yes, I said, I’m still interested. What do we do next?

Well, it’s been a flurry of emails. Word went out that Dustin was getting adopted. That network of people who had read his story, and who were now deeply interested in his fate, was now hearing that I was adopting him. I got congratulatory emails from people I didn’t even know. A dog magazine has expressed an interest in doing an article on this adoption — and on all the other adoptions Kathy has made happen for senior dogs. Richard and his partner Byron have graciously offered to come along when we go to adopt Dustin. They plan to take photos and I secretly suspect Richard wants to make this adoption go as easily as possible. He’s determined that I should get a dog.

So now I’m shopping for doggie treats, doggie beds, and doggie toys. A week ago I wasn’t even using the word: doggie. Funny how fast things change.

We go to pick Dustin up this weekend. Stay tuned as the adventure continues.