From apathetic to obsessed

How has this happened? I, the person who wanted nothing to do with any kind of pet, have now become obsessed with finding the perfect dog. I know there is really no such thing, but I have to believe that there is a good match out there somewhere for our family. Maybe I'm just consumed with the search itself. For some reason, I find Petfinder completely absorbing. There are so many different kinds of dogs, so many different breed mixes, so many different stories of where they have come from, how they ended up in rescue, so many different personalities. In a way it reminds me of our house search. It really became a habit. After we put the kids to bed, we would go online to the MLS website and look at houses. It was really hard to stop once we got started. Even months after we had found our new house & even moved in, I would still sometimes catch myself thinking, "Let's see what houses are online today." Maybe it's comparable to gambling addiction. Somehow you believe that that big jackpot is just around the corner. Maybe there will be the perfect, affordable, too good to be true dreamhouse in our favorite neighborhood online today. New houses pop up all the time. It's hard not to keep looking. I feel the same way about the dogs. Maybe there is that cute, housetrained & crate trained dog who loves kids, walks well on a leash and is easy to take care of. Maybe there is one who would really be a joy to have around, one that would make any extra work worthwhile. I guess this same feeling is what makes garage sales, thrift stores, Craigslist & Ebay so popular. You never know when or where you might find that once in a lifetime deal. I am hoping that we might find that once in a lifetime dog......or at least that I will be able to spend a little less time on Petfinder. :)

Those of you who have not known me for a long time are probably wondering about the dog photos at the beginning and end of this post. I found them in one of my photo albums and scanned them in. On the back is written "Darlin' '92." I think I was about 15 when my dad brought her home from the park and ride. He had gotten off the bus that day and gone to his car. When he opened the door, she just hopped in! She had been shot in the leg with a bee bee gun, and of course, she was filthy. I'll have to ask him why he decided to bring her home. (My parents have never been one for impulsive decisions. Even ordering at a restaurant is a monumental event for them!) He tried to find an owner, but no one claimed her. He took her to the vet to find out whether or not she was healthy. He found out that she was healthy and probably about 9 months to 1 year old. The vet fixed her leg, and we got her cleaned up. Maybe she knew she had been rescued. Maybe she was just one of those dogs that make people want to have dogs. Of course, she wasn't perfect, but she was a joy to have around. She had free run of the house, and we never worried that she would tear up anything. Her greatest sin was probably when my mom had some pastries on the open oven door. I suppose the temptation was too great. When no one was looking, she took one and went very guiltily into the next room.

I have read a number of times that it is not a good idea to pick up a stray. I would probably agree. I guess the reason I bring up Darlin' is that I know it's possible to have a dog that we would enjoy..... which is probably a lot of what makes it hard for me to give up the search.