Tuesday, May 11, 2010
ONE YEAR
Tomorrow is Booker's first anniversary with us.
He came a month and two days after Franklin died.
We applied to Southwest Airedale Terrier (SWAT) Rescue just a week after we lost Number One and, after a whirlwind almost 30 day courtship, we hooked up with Booker. His Aunt Rusty who ran what we call "Aierdale Camp" was great with us. A matchmaker of the first order.
He had arrived at SWAT just days before we applied. Kismet. He had lost his mom and his dad couldn't cope.
We drove to Las Vegas to meet him and see if the fit fit. It did. He was wonderful with us from the beginning.
We three piled into a rented SUV at 5 on the morning the nest day and came home to Palm Springs.
He was so excited. So were we.
For the entire trip he stood on the console between John and me and leaned. First on one and then on the other.
He has never done that since. He knew. And was happy with it. So were we.
There is nothing like the weight of a loving dog on your body. The security and confidence that is felt between man and dog is unmistakable when it happens.
Not that everything went smoothly. It took a few days to get planted. He threw up once. He paced around the house.
We had to detrain him from getting up on furniture. He wanted to please and refrained from the beginning.
Notice that I do not say "stopped".
We know that he takes a rest on a sofa or the guest bed when we leave him alone. Sometimes. Not all the time.
Hell, sometimes he does it when we are here!
We are gentle but firm in our "off".
He is an old soul. Patient. Very well disciplined. A hugger. A teaser. And, when he wants, stubbornly assertive of his choices. Pure Airedale.
A wonderful animal who has made this his home and us his soulmates.
What a gift. Thank you Aunt Rusty.
Booker.
