Our Little Addition

When I graduated college, one of my best friends from high school, and I moved into a small, two bedroom apartment. We were learning what it was like to be "adults" - transitioning from lifeguarding into grown up jobs, and helping each other get ready for big dates that we would eventually forget. One afternoon, I went for a run and saw a dog tied up to a fence with some sort of twine. I decided that I would drive back by the area after my run and see if the dog was still there. I didn't really have a plan, but knew that the dog (later described as the "ugliest dog I have ever seen" by my friend Rachel) needed someone to take care of him.

When I drove back by, the dog was still there, so I loaded him up in my car and drove to the drug store. I bought some shampoo and dog food headed back to the apartment. I didn't even think to buy a leash, which proved to be a problem when I tried to walk him later on. These were the days where cell phones were not the norm, and I had no idea where my roommate was or when she would be home. I lured the dog,(later named Brownie because of his luscious brown coat) into the bathtub with some cheese and proceeded to give him the messiest bath ever. We both came out sopping wet, but Brownie was clean, and I felt comfortable leaving him when I left. I didn't even think that the dog would need to go the restroom, and left Ellen a note asking her not to freak out, but alerting her that there was a dog in the house.

When I arrived home, Brownie was outside in our small, gated patio and Ellen was not happy. Apparently, I hadn't really thought this through. Where was the dog going to run and play? Who was going to pay the security deposit for an animal in the apartment? Who was going to watch the dog during the day? Oops. Brownie was shipped off to Ellen's parent's house, where she was able to enjoy a large backyard. I did visit her, but eventually Ellen's mother found that Brownie was not a stray, but actually someone's pet who had run away. Brownie and I shared a tearful goodbye and I never saw her again.

Fast foward almost ten years. As I was leaving work about a month ago, I noticed a little puppy who had wandered into the front yard. We fed her some water, gave her some food and waited for her to run on. I went back inside for a little while, and when I came out, she had moved to the porch. It was hard for me to look at this little face and not feel sorry for it.

I took a picture and sent it to Mike, asking, "Can we keep her?" I was already calling her Maggie and took her in the back to give her a bath. While fleas were jumping off of her, I noticed that she had what looked like tire marks on her. She was limping and I couldn't imagine leaving her alone. Since I had not heard from Mike, I decided I would take her home and ask for forgiveness later. (This is not a good marriage practice.)

After taking her to the vet and learning that she had some hip displaysia ( and that she was a HE) we were also told that he had a chip. We finally got in touch with owners who informed us the dog went missing after her chewed through the rope they had him tied up on in the back yard. They waited for him to come back for three days and eventually just got another puppy. He had been on his own for two weeks. At this point, what could we do? Mike had begun to love our little mutt, and he was so good!

We called and asked the owners if we could keep him, and they said it was no problem for them. I have never had a dog and I am actually loving it. Yes, he gets into everything and has chewed up several pairs of my shoes. But I have never seen anyone so incredibly happy to see me walk through the door at night, or to cuddle up in the bed (which is not allowed. Don't tell Mike.) We are having fun with "Maggie," now, "Mags" and taking it as a new chapter!