Clearly I got home from Florida. I did take my trip to the Keys. It was just as I imagined it. I loved driving the Overseas Highway that connects the Keys. And I loved the 5 hours I spent in Key West. It was charming, and lively, and funky, and bigger than I had imagined.
So technically I started my drive home in Key West. It is a long haul from Key West to Afton, Virginia. It took the better part of 4 days with miscellaneous stops along the way.
But I had a reason to get home. And her name is Rudy.
Before leaving for Florida, I had decided that I was going to adopt a dog when I got back. Yes, I considered all the ways that a dog would hamper my current lifestyle. And God knows I was reminded of that by every well-meaning person who heard of my plans.
But the bottom line was two-fold. The hours I was spending ALONE were being used up often by sitting in the house trying not to eat. I was either working out, or staying in and trying not to eat. I felt that it had been all about me all the time for long enough. And besides. . there are doggies out there who need homes.
Enter Kevin, my handyman who built a fence around approximately 50% of the acre of land I own. The fence was finished and in place by the time I left for Florida. I had perused the local shelter sites, and had already found a couple of dogs that looked promising. I had a long list of requirements:
1. This dog had to be small. I needed to be able to take the dog with me to Chautauqua and to Sarasota. Which led to:
2. This dog cannot be a barker!!! Condos do not love dogs that bark. My rentals for my time in New York and Florida are expensive and I can't risk being thrown out with a barking dog! No refunds!!
3. This dog must not be "nose-driven." My last dog, Chester, was a love. But he was a hound. And if he smelled something then woe unto the person who was trying to get his attention. And because of that nose he was always trying to get away. . . to find whatever it was that he was smelling. No more!!!
4. This dog must be sweet. As in. . . doesn't need to beat up every other dog he/she sees. Again . . . . Chester. . . . and Clyde before him. . . .. couldn't be around other dogs. Did NOT play nice with others. Thugs through and through! Never again!
5. This dog must be housebroken. Self-explanatory. I have a brand new house.
6. This dog must learn quickly. I have a lot to teach it.
7. This dog must be cute and lovable. I know, I know. Don't judge a book by its cover. I'm sorry. . .this time I need a great cover!
So before I left for Florida I found "Zena" at a web-site for the Lynchburg, Va. animal shelter. And she looked perfect! Once I got to Florida, I checked the site and she was still available. So I wrote to them.
Got the typical response: You sound perfect but WE CAN'T SAVE DOGS FOR PEOPLE!!!
Enter my extraordinary friend Sandy. Never has there been a more ardent animal lover than Sandy. When I was told that "Zena" would be at an adoption event in Lynchburg, Sandy piled her only moderately "on board" husband, Bill into the car and headed for the event. Acting as my agent, they vetted "Zena", found her worthy, and immediately signed up to be her foster parents. They brought her home. Ten days before I was supposed to get home. Now that's a friend!
So Sandy and Bill had "Zena." The first thing I did was to email them and tell them that her name was now "Rudy." I don't know why. She was just always Rudy, from the moment I saw her online!
I got daily reports as Sandy and Bill fell in love with this little girl. And when I arrived home on a Wednesday, I unpacked the car and headed for their house to meet her. She was perfect! But she was also completely settled at their house. We decided that Sandy would bring her to me the very next day.
And so she arrived one week ago today. And she was not at all sure that she wanted to stay. My house was smaller. She didn't know me. That night I had the biggest case of "buyer's remorse" that anyone could have. What had I done? Here was this ANIMAL in my cute little house, and she didn't even like me! She kept looking at the door hoping Sandy would return. There goes my freedom! YIKES!!
But 24 hours later all was well. And in the last 7 days I have gone through Meno-paws!!! My life is wonderful. Yes. . I have to get up early to let her out before I work out. I have a crate where she sleeps at night and when I'm gone. I have to pay attention each and every day to my plans so that they provide her with as little time in that crate as possible.
But my life is already so much better! Yes. . . my house is a wreck! I'm not even unpacked completely yet! But the other day she and I went out in the car for several hours to run errands, and it wasn't until I got home that I realized that I had not taken my phone with me! I hadn't realized that up until Rudy arrived, my IPhone had become my pet!
I sit less. We are out in the yard more. Rudy's best friend, besides me (and Sandy), is the big black rooster next door named Duke. They run back and forth on their respective side of the fence. If Rudy runs off to find a stick to chew, Duke stands at the fence crowing to get her back. It's hilarious!
We have spent the last few evenings watching Jane Austen movies. After raising 2 boys and having only boy dogs. . . it's nice to do girl things for a change!
So stay tuned for more Rudy news. It's good to be connected. To have something that needs me. To have a living body in the house who thinks I hung the moon! It's nice to have a baby again!
So here's to change-of-life! Stay tuned!
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