Friday, September 2, 2016

Friday, September 2, 2016

Tonight's picture was taken in September of 2007. Mattie was walking JJ, our resident Jack Russell Terrier. JJ and Mattie practically grew up together. In fact Mattie loved dogs and always wanted a dog of his own. In time, we probably would have made that wish possible. But with Mattie's cancer diagnosis that never happened. 

JJ was very attached to Mattie and after Mattie died, JJ visited our doorstep daily and would just sit there. He refused to eat and held tight to a sandal of Mattie's. Any one who says dogs don't grieve, has never gotten to know a dog. 



Quote of the day: Do the duty which lies nearest to you, the second duty will then become clearer. ~ Thomas Carlyle

Look who entered into our lives today. This afternoon, Peter and I went to pick Sunshine "Sunny" up at his foster parents home in DC. Sunny actually arrived in DC from Pickens, SC when I was in LA. Fortunately the rescue organization found a wonderful foster mom to care for him during that two week interim, which helped Sunny transition to a home.

We learned that Sunny was basically abandoned by his original owner in South Carolina. Sunny was found wondering along a highway and when the authorities tried to return him to his owner, the owner refused to respond and take Sunny back. So Sunny landed up in a kill shelter, which means that 90% of animals in the shelter are killed if not adopted within a period of time. 

Why Sunny was abandoned is perplexing and mind boggling actually. Sunny is calm, compliant, friendly, easy going, and LOVES people, kids, and other dogs. I know because I walked him passed lots of people, children and other dogs today! He is friendly and loves people petting him and also enjoys sniffing other dogs. Along our various walks today we bumped into people who wanted to talk with us, and when we did this, Sunny just sat still and patient until we were finished. Not tugging at the leash!

Peter and I got MANY walks in today with Sunny. He LOVES walking and I might add briskly. I almost need running shoes on to keep up with him. However as the day wears on and he gets more exercise, then he does slow down. But he was excited to be out and is truly curious and observant. 

One thing Sunny loves however is chasing squirrels and in DC, rats. He is like a hound dog and can smell a rat many feet away. What he does when he sees a squirrel is something else. If you don't have a good grip on his leash, he would take off and be on the hunt!

This is the nose to nose meeting of Indie meeting Sunny. We are being very cautious with Indie because she is our girl and want he and Sunny to get along. Therefore we are letting her meet Sunny on her terms. She is still staying clear of him tonight, but has been daring several times today and has come downstairs and walked in front of him. He desperately wants to play with her and basically whines because she isn't complying!