She Really Wanted Me

Lorene arrived at the vets office where I was being boarded quite anxious. When I finally crossed the lobby and got to her I was so embarrassed! I got excited and a little anxious about my next foster home which was sure to be less barking than being boarded with all these animals that I had an "accident" on the tech's shoes. When she confessed what I had done I could see Lorene's eyes go from anxious to nervous. Up to this point, I had wonderful foster families that took very good care and trained me well, but I really wanted this to be my last home. I wanted to build relationships that would stay with me all the days of my life. Then, here is this tech making me look bad, but she almost looked like she was going to cry again and reached right down to hug me. She signed the foster forms, but seeing how excited she was I felt immediately it was something more.

Then, it happened. She got me outside and tried to put me in one of those rolling rooms that make the trees go by really fast with the sun flashing through. I am not sure what she meant by the expression, "it was like trying to put a cat in a bath," but I imagine it was like trying to spray me with a garden hose. I hate water, and I hate getting into those rolling rooms! It makes my tummy feel terrible. I did not want to fight or to challenge her, but I could not help myself. My fear had gotten the best of me, fear of the nausea, fear of yet another new home, fear of her giving me back and leaving me. I can't do it! I won't! Then, I could see that look like she was going to march back in and give up, and she tried again. 

On the ride, she was talking to me and stroking my ears with the windows down as I laid in the front seat (HA! Nobody puts Boots in the backseat!) and drove slowly crawling through the turns. It was not so bad. She probably didn't think I was listening, but she told me how she had searched nine months for me. She had been working with Atlanta Boxer Rescue while continuing to search for a lab or boxer, and I made the final three. She submitted the links to her husband, and he chose me. I am so glad he wanted a puppy to be Ranger's brother! I was 4 1/2 months old when they took me in and about 42 lbs. 

She found me on Friday, picked me up on Saturday, took me straight to a ball field around kids, dogs, loud cheering, drove me in the car and took me to the local PetSmart on Day 1. Day 2, 3 and 4, we took a trip to the park for a hike, walked me around the neighborhood, let me spend time with Ranger and all kinds of visitors and even made me go to the vet on the 5th day. She wanted to be sure, although I was pretty confident I had her at hello, and the rest of the family was pushing her to hurry up and tell "the rescue people" that she wanted me so no one else would take me. I knew on Day 1 when she changed my name from Boots to Scout, rushed to PetSmart to buy food, a bed, harness, toys and a leash that I was in, but as I have gotten to know her I can tell that commitment is on her terms and in her time (or at least she has to think it is). I don't mind, though. I am just glad she committed to me and that my forever home is with my best friend ever even if I have to share her with a dog that hates her, a husband that gets to sleep in the bed with her and kids that are not half as cute as I am. 

Introduction to My Blog

First off, I want to dedicate this blog to my best friend, Lorene, and to each of you who have overcome  challenges of diversity to build a relationship with someone from a different background. Lorene and I are quite different in every way. I am black with some white, short hair and can only reach the counters if I stretch, and she is tan, can get stuff out of the taller cabinets and is mostly bald. She is a writer, but I am more of an athlete. Heather likes to talk while I prefer cuddling (and getting as close to her as possible...please don't tell her). When it is meal time, Heather goes for the social opportunity, but I would rather eat than breathe which sometimes triggers choking and vomiting. When given the choice, I still have no issue with giving up breathing even if I vomit so that I can eat as fast as possible. I LOVE TO EAT!

Yet there are some common interests we share in that we both came from large families, are Heinz 57s and love our siblings despite our differences. We both love hugs, people and, most importantly, each other. It seems like our list of commonalities is short, but love is like that, you know, it overcomes.

For years, my BF has kept a blog and the focus is…well, there is no focus, just a bunch of ramblings which is pretty much what I love about her and what makes me crazy exhausted trying to make sense of it. Honestly, I am pretty simple and while I enjoy the banter, I really just want her to hold me (PLEASE don't tell her).

We have only been together about four months, but since that day she forced me into her vehicle in my hometown of Roswell, GA, politely saying, "hello," and playing it cool as strangers passed by in that parking lot she has been my world. Between you and I, it is possible I was a little afraid for her not to be. She snatched me away from everything and everyone I had ever known, but she is pretty darn beautiful and more so as I have gotten to know her. That very day, she took me out to a ball field with a million kids, food (I LOVE FOOD) and people that wanted to meet me and touch me. I should have been shy maybe even intimidated, but it was comforting. I wasn't sure I wanted to, but I loved her.

The way she comes up the stairs with her bags in each arm and reaches down to touch my head and back makes me feel safe and loved as she guides me up with her. I can see her juggling them and tilting forward as she hikes each stair in those pokey heeled shoes and have a secret appreciation that she does all that for me. When I get to the top first and turn around to show her I have won, stretch my head to her as tall as I can and she brushes my hair behind my ears I feel comforted. In the kitchen, living room, backyard, on the stairs, at the top of the stairs, at the landing at the front door, at her bedroom door, and, well, I guess everywhere we ever go pretty much I will stop as close to her as I can and inch, inch, inching closer she will reach down and pull me against her and it is AWESOME! Then, I get closer, but I don't think she notices except sometimes I step on her feet. Sometimes, she will lean down, get eye-to-eye putting her nose to mine and I just wish I were as naked as she is so I could feel nothing between those lips on my skin as she kisses my head. I just love her. So here is my confession, I am in love with my best friend, and I don't think she has a clue!

Well, since I have not said much about myself I will at least tell you my name is Scout.