Pet Therapy

I like to think that things happen for a reason, at least if we listen carefully and follow our gut.

Our oldest son Austin has been asking for a Beagle for a long time. He loves Snoopy and read all the Shiloh books. He quizzes everyone that has or has ever had a Beagle. I sat and listened to him talk to the guy who is remodeling our basement about dogs. Jim our basement guy has two Labs and a Beagle named Norm. Norm is his wifes favorite and when he goes to bed he often finds Norm snuggled up next to his wife sleeping. Jim says that Norm likes his singing and will howl along with him. Jim is a good guy, raised two of his own kids and then a handful of foster kids as well. He has a lot of patience with my boys and lets them watch and help where they can. Especially Cole. Cole likes tools. Jim is a dog guy, and dog people are usually good people.
So, recently our oldest son Austin was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder. A mild version, but one his doctor advised might be best if we nipped it now while he is young. His problems are mainly sleep issues. He can’t turn his mind off and his thoughts get extreme. He worries, he frets and he just can’t sleep.

Two days ago I was watching the news at noon while sewing. Every Wednesday they shoot live from the Humane Society. I glanced up when they mentioned they just got in a litter of Beagle pups. They held one up and I swear I got that feeling, the one that says “this is meant to be”. I’m not a beagle girl- I prefer my dogs BIG. But this little dog was fuzzy and as her face was in the camera I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I kept working, and kept thinking- it couldn’t hurt to look. So Cole and I got in the car and drove over there. When we got there we got to hold her and play with her. She was the most mellow of the litter- the only one Cole wanted to hold. I noticed then that she had already been claimed. We put her back, glanced at the rest of the pups and then went home. Cole cried all the way home and then fell asleep. When he woke up he cried again. I told the humane society to call me if things fell through.

The next day Cole had his 3 yr check-up. While we were there, their pediatrician (who is my dad’s age and has been practicing forever) asked about Austin and how he was doing. He then asked if we had considered getting him a dog. I reminded him that we have two dogs. A 14 year old mutt that only likes me and a 3 year old Golden that is pretty much my middle son Blake’s dog. I told him that Austin really wants a Beagle. He said that his wife came home with a Beagle from the Humane Society recently (dog number 4 for them) and they love it. He went on about the benefits of a dog that would belong to Austin and how they can reduce anxiety in kids and adults as well. He knows we are dog lovers, he knows that a dog for Austin would sleep in Austin’s bed- fall asleep with Austin, comfort Austin. Dogs are good like that. As I was leaving he said, “get that boy his dog”.

As Cole and I walked in the door at home the phone was ringing. It was the humane society. The adoption fell through. I asked them to hold her for me for a couple days while we figured out if this was the thing to do. Andy and I decided that if we got Austin his own dog, he would have to step up to the plate as far as taking care of her. He is already good about feeding the other dogs and taking them for walks, etc.

So here we are, Cole and I on the couch watching Spongebob with a new little girl sleeping beside us.

Meet Shiloh (of course)

She is small, and will be about 20-25 pounds. Our Golden was/is so excited (our older dog doesn’t really like to play). So far her adjustment to our house has been smooth. She slept with Austin last night- apparently waking him up a few times to play (so much for better sleep). I am trying to not step in- she is so darn cute I want to hold her all the time- but I want her to bond with Austin. To be Austin’s dog.
The thing I always dread most about getting a new dog is that there are always a lot of people out there that aren’t exactly happy for you. We don’t really ask them to be, nor do we expect that if you aren’t a dog lover that you really understand why we think it is so great to have them around. The good thing is that we can respect each others choices.

Oh and mom- looks like there is another little being that you will be taking care of next week while Andy and I are in Florida for two days. I know you are thrilled about that! 🙂

Oh and Cole keeps calling her “Shaggy” which reminds me of Scooby and now I remember that my brother used to have a hampster named Snoopy and I had a dog named Spike (Snoopy’s Brother) We already have an Astro (Jetsons). We seem to like cartoon dog names.

edited to add

if you live in the Columbus area there was an amazing yellow lab there- I would have taken him home if it were up to me!