Puppy Love
August 16, 2010 by Charles Siebert
A couple of years ago, during a visit to Austin, Texas, I took a personality test at a dog shelter. No, I am not a dog. The test was designed to ensure that I was making the most responsible, mature and, hopefully, lasting decision in selecting the shelter dog that I did. Looking back on that experience, however, what strikes me is just how irresponsibly and immaturely one can behave in the course of performing a deeply responsible act.
You’d no doubt instantly forgive the misdeeds I’m about to relate had you too arrived at the creature being kept in kennel cage number 252: a tiny, twice-abandoned bundle of gray-and-white carpet lint with long, pipe-cleaner legs, a slight underbite, and the proverbial black button nose and eyes. Two names, “Olive” and “Cricket,” were listed on the data sheet taped to the bars. Though the sheet listed her as a “border terrier mix,” I’d have guessed the first ever successful mating of a Maltese and a spider monkey. Still, whatever mix of cockeyed progeny, bad behavior, and human malfeasance had led to this animal’s double exile, I instantly lost all reason. I was, in a word, sunk.
Diane, the shelter worker who escorted me through the facility that day, seemed immediately suspicious of my interest. In her mind I was already committing a classic dog-adopter faux pas: going on first impression, mere appearance, ignoring all the shelter’s equally worthy, dime-a-dozen, mid-sized mixes in favor of a classic “cutesy” type. And yet somehow this dog’s strangely calm and mute presence among all her barking and bounding shelter mates only further bewitched me.
Back at Diane’s office computer, we soon got the skinny on Olive/Cricket: a spayed female, approximately two years old, found three days earlier roaming the grounds of a nearby community. The records offered no information on the original owner; the second owner, a guy named Forbes, was listed as having adopted Olive/Cricket seven weeks ago. A message had been left on Forbes’ answering machine, giving him a three-day deadline to reclaim his pet.
“That’s by the end of today,” Diane said, turning to look at the clock. “It’s 4:30 now. We close at 6.”
My hopes began to soar. Then Diane checked further: four other people had dibs on Olive/Cricket before me, and my dreams of surprising my wife back in Brooklyn with what seemed like the perfect compliment to Roz, our other shelter-adopted terrier mix, began to evaporate. I suppose I should have taken the broader view, should have been pleased that this dog had so many eager adopters. Instead, I got desperate. Maybe I could pay the others to just go away. Or maybe I could bribe Diane to sneak me to the top of the list. I even jokingly suggested the latter. Diane laughed nervously and shook her head.
“Sorry,” she said, turning back to the computer to review again the daunting list of would-be adopters ahead of me. Then I saw her eyes widen.
“There is one possibility,” she said. Number two on the list was a rescue group devoted to the adoption of dogs like this one. If I could persuade them that I was the ideal adopter, that would legitimately leapfrog me ahead of them to the slot just behind the first person on the list, someone named Welch, whose 36-hour deadline clock for claiming his prize would—now that Forbes’s deadline had passed—begin ticking the next morning.
The following day and a half of waiting seemed interminable. In the interim, a kind of frenzied, dual-pronged detective mystery ensued: the shelter trying to determine my worthiness as an adopter, while I made repeated visits to Olive/Cricket’s kennel in an attempt to divine what sort of devil might be lurking under that adorable exterior such that two prior owners would discard her.
On my morning personality exam, meanwhile, I may have exaggerated some, readily checking the “Agree Strongly” box for such character traits as sympathetic, emotionally stable, and responsible. As for my method of choosing Olive/Cricket, I didn’t even attempt to prevaricate, instantly checking “Love at first sight.” I also seemed to have convinced the shelter’s rescue group coordinator, in our afternoon interview, of my maturity and poise, although as we exited her office I overheard a young couple at the shelter’s front desk ask after a “cute little dog called Cricket.”
“No!” I called out, running up and nearly knocking the startled pair over. “Forget it. She’s spoken for.”
By closing time that day, with a good 15 visits to kennel 252 under my belt and still no word from Welch, I was losing all control. During one visit to Diane’s office to ask if there’d been any calls, I spied on her computer Welch’s phone number. Back in my motel room I phoned him. I got his machine. I kept phoning, well into the evening. Nothing. Finally, I left a message. “I need to know your intentions regarding Olive/Cricket,” I told him. “I’m prepared to negotiate, even to offer….” And then someone picked up the phone and smashed it down. The next morning, only hours from Welch’s noon deadline, I phoned Diane at the shelter to say that this Welch fellow seemed to have anger issues and should be disqualified. She laughed, sort of.
“Relax,” she said. “Things are looking good.”
Two years now into having Olive—my wife and I opted for the culinary half of her dual identity—it’s hard to imagine what led to her abandonment. While she may have briefly brought out the devil in me, she has none whatsoever in her. For months after bringing her home, she followed me wherever I went, button nose pressed to my legs, even when I’d get up in the middle of the night for a glass of water. Now, in the course of our daily park walks with Roz, it’s heartening to see Olive dare solo, field-long dashes, nearly out of sight, merely because she feels she can.
Charles Siebert is a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and is the author most recently of “The Wauchula Woods Accord: Toward a New Understanding of Animals.”
Find More ///
- in Pets & Animals
- in Essay
- about dogs, adoption
Related ///
Driven to Action: One Mom's Meltdown
After a New York lawyer is jailed for kicking her kids out of the car, debate arises over whether she acted irresponsibly or well within her parental rights.
Europe Deems 2014 the Year Against Food Waste
Should we take waste stats more seriously?
Second Line
Directed by Danny Glover, one man’s journey from indifference to understanding.
Questions for: Rosalynn Carter
The former first lady details her ongoing advocacy of mental-health issues and the ways in which treating mental illness can continue to improve.
On Cloning Extinct Animals
Are we ready for scientists to clone a real-life Jurassic Park?
Is Yoga Bad for You?
A new debate has taken hold over yoga’s health benefits, or lack thereof.
51 Comments
What do you think? Leave a comment
August 17, 2010 by Betty Kibler
Having personal experience with adopting from a shelter,I understand the feeling of instant love.Also,knowing shelter workers personally,they do take an interest in who is adopting but many times have no reason to turn someone away, and so there are times when people adopt who shoudn't. Liked this article very much.
Reply
January 18, 2011 by majave
i think that these animals well babies need to be in a good home with plenty of food and water and caring loving you know show them that you really love them so that they can feel home.
Reply
October 12, 2011 by Faith
If someone can not take care of a dog they should not have any animals it is not just dogs that are being abused its all the animals my animals stay in side not all of them but you need to help animals that are being abused whater and feed you animals dont lrt them starve or thirst?????????????????????
January 1, 2012 by dylan
i want a pit bull for my birth day but my mom wont let me she doesnt get it that i want to help a dog so it doesnt die :(
February 14, 2011 by angela negron
look i dont think that it is fear to take away a dog from a family and this is not about the story im talking in generl and this has happened to me because i had to go to live in a place that i cant have animals and now im moving and i cant get my dogsssss back now i dont want another dog then them i hate having to cry every day because i dont know how they are if there fine if there alive that is the worst pain in the world sooo you should think about the other family that has to give away there dog and this is not for all familys this is for the ones who care
Reply
August 19, 2010 by rose orlik
This article is amazing. I can actually see myself doing this. God bless you for being the kind of person that you are. I wanted to adopt a shepherd mix when I was looking for a pet. The people at the kennel made me feel as though they were doing me a favor, and wouldn't allow me to see her outside of the kennel they kept her in. After trying to explain to them that I would like to spend some time with her outside of the kennel, and their blatant refusal, I gave up and got a pet from a private owner. Many a time do I think of the little girl at the shelter, and wish I would of gone with my feeling that this one was the one. Again, kudos for being you.
Reply
September 1, 2010 by Michael
Aww, congratulations.
I can't take my girlfriend into pet stores or shelters because she feels she needs to rescue these furry companions and gets heartbroken when she knows it's not possible; I'm happy this one has a new lease on life and is part of your family.
Why people abandon their pets is beyond me; they're a full time commitment (maybe even double time!). They're not a book that can sit idle on a shelf for years on end; they need love, attention and care around the clock. (at least, the family cat Zeus seems to think so!)
Reply
February 22, 2011 by paramelle france
sometimes people have to abandon their pets because they have not enough money ..alas..Instead to have to abandon them and put the in a shelter.. why not set an organization helping directly good owner's pet to stay with their love one instead to give so much money to the shelters!!!! We can do investigation to be sure the owners are good people. For me it seems the best solution instead to make folks and pets suffering of separation!! My ID: I was the owner of three pets successively : an older teckel, a pet rescued in India and an adopted pet in Paris!!
Reply
September 6, 2010 by DENISE
WHAT A WONDERFUL PERSON YOU ARE - I LOST MY BEAUTIFUL KEESHOND LAST YEAR- HER NAME WAS PRINCESS AND I ALSO TOOK HER OUT OF A PET STORE WHERE SHE WAS BEING ABUSED, SHE WAS SO SMALL, BUT SHE GAVE ME 16 YEARS OF HAPPINESS -
I KNOW THIS DOG WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF VERY WELL - GOD BLESS YOUR KINDNESS
Reply
September 17, 2010 by Suzanne MacDougall
It is so-o-o- heart warming to hear stories like this! I also find it difficult to go to shelters as I want to take them all. We have nine animals(4 tropical birds,4 cats and one dog) and all but one were adopted. I wish there was some form of punishment for all those who treat animals badly!
Reply
September 23, 2010 by gale ponti
I so want to get a puppy, this article reminded me of just last week when I went to "Petco" to see adaptable dog's. I wish I had taken the one I first saw. Maybe I'll go back to see if she is still there today?
Reply
September 23, 2010 by ghgh
what type of puppy is it?I love animals,I think you need to do whats best,and im not trying to be bossy,but I think getting that puppy today is what you should do,give the puppy a real home,now Idont think its right to get it,then leave it on the road or somewhere els.
Reply
September 24, 2010 by Deliah Payne
I know that i will be a responsible perant 2 my dog.I love animals there nothen in the world that i wont do for them.I had a dog when i was younger took very good care of it,but my grandmother got sick in no longer could help me with her.she was ready 2 jest let her go out n the world alone but i came up with an idear n gave her to a family up the block.thank you for leting me give my reason.
September 29, 2010 by ginny
I am a volunter at Hinsdale Humane Society in Hinsdale Il. Please do Not buy a dog from a pet store. We have 9 dogs saved from a puppy mill in Mo. They have lived their lives in wire cages. They never were held or loved their entire lives. PLEASE ADOPT thank you
Reply
August 20, 2011 by Linda
I also am a volunteer for my local ASPCA. Everytime I go it is the most bittersweet experience one could have. I love them all. I have to keep telling myself I am not there for me but for them, because nearly everytime I leave I end up crying for the ones that were euthanized because no one adopted them. I am now trying to find a place to live that will allow me to have a dog. Please adopt from a shelter. Being a dog walker and volunteer, I can tell you they are lovely animals, their only crime being they became an inconvenience. I had no idea just how very bad the situation is until I became a volunteer. (If you can't adopt at this time, MAYBE" you" could volunteer to love some of these wonderful creatures! I know all help is appreciated.)
September 23, 2010 by Jenna Fletcher
This was such an amazing blog. You are such an amazing person and have such a warm heart. I wish there were more people like you in the world who would adopt animals from a shelter.It makes me so sad to know not all the dogs in shelters will be adopted and I wish I could change that, but I cannot. I hope to one day adopt at least one dog someday soon. But, as a college student it is not the easiest thing to do at the moment. Congrats on your new puppy and best wishes to you! You are awesome!!
Reply
September 23, 2010 by jose
I really wont a dog that is not to big but not to small
Reply
September 24, 2010 by Anna
Good article, but as for everyone commenting...getting a puppy suddenly just because you see a cute one is not always a good idea. You have to think. Do you have the money to feed him/her? Take him/her to the vet? What about a sudden illness? Do you have enough time to exercise them like you should? Never forget these things and you'll be fine.
Reply
September 25, 2010 by erica
I had a pitbull named rex and hes my best friend i dont know why people describe these dogs as vicious i think of them as nice and smart loving dogs i want to make a change for them.i watch pitboss on animal planet all the time i love that show but rex passed on already so im trying to find a new baby female pitty and name her tasha and hopefully i find one and please tell people pitbulls are not to be afraid of.If you train your pitbull good and socialize it with different people he won't be a bad dog. There is no such thing as bad dogd just bad owners
Reply
September 28, 2010 by audrey
I agree 100% with you! We love Pit Bulls and those poor dogs don't deserve the awful reputation brought on by irresponsible people. We have been fostering dogs for awhile now, we also own a stunning Rottweiler we rescued through the same rescue called" Waggin Train Rescue". We have fallen in love with these Pits and it is sooo hard to say goodbye to them when they get adopted into a forever home :) The little Pit we are fostering now may stay here forever! We are crazy about him, he's an absolute doll! Not a mean bone in his body. We could eat out of his dish with him if we wanted to. We too watch Pit Boss as well as Animal Cops etc. Animals are beautiful and it is people that make them what they become. We all need to fight for them and be their advocates. They can't speak for themselves. Lets all try to do our part and be responsible.
Reply
April 23, 2011 by angela
i agree with you i get so tired of people talking about how bad the breed is they just dont know because they only hear the bad about them i have had a couple and they have been great dogs my grandkids can do anything to them and they didnt do anything to them they love my grandkids they should tell about the other dogs that hurt people instead of always concentrating on the pits they are only mean if they are trained that way its the way they are raised
Reply
September 28, 2010 by stephanie
i love dogs i did have 1 until they ate my 3 year old dog wrinkles.thats y i hate pit bulls........
love and always rest in peace wrinkles
Reply
September 28, 2010 by stephanie
any1 who has experience with adoption please write bac
Reply
October 7, 2010 by Sunshine
I think it great thisperson loves pets, but i would not stop going in pet places. Just set some health boundies with the person before you go in the pets store and rcause them just let this person know its okay to look, but bring anymore pets home. But be kind to the person you are addressing it to. Just let the person know that you can't save every pet that comes in the shelters,Etc.
Reply
1 2 3 4 »
Tell us what you think.
Let the world know what you think, but please do so responsibly. Comments are moderated and we will not post personal attacks, obscene language or inappropriate material, comments with links, or comments from people under the age of 18. If you have a question, check out our Comment Submission Guidelines.