A Pilgrim’s Digression

Let me ask you: could you resist a face like this?

We couldn’t resist, so we brought her home yesterday. Her name is Saffron; Saffie for short. Our intention was to let Brendan pick out the name, but after overruling his choices several times, Lynn started suggesting names.

Gigi…Buttercup…and finally, Saffron. The nickname “Saffie” sealed it.

We really did not think we were going to be able to have her. We have been talking about getting a dog for several weeks now, and on Monday after school, I took Brendan to the animal shelter to look at the selection. Saffie was there, along with an identical sister and a selection of other small, terrier mutts.

It was love at first sight when we saw Saffie, but the employee at the shelter told us that both Saffie and her sister were already spoken and paid for. Brendan and I both were disappointed, and I kept asking, “So how long will you hold the puppy before you put it back up for adoption?” and “Please call me if the adoption falls through.”

I filled out an application to adopt a dog anyway, not really excited about the rest of the puppies. Brendan picked out his second choice, a male mixed breed that the shelter employee assured us would not grow to be a large dog (my own intuition told me it was going to be somewhat larger than the 3 or 4 pounds she suggested, however).

I told her I would have to talk to my wife, which was my way to get us off the hook for taking a dog home. I really did not want the male dog, or any other dog really, except Saffie. I figured if I couldn’t have her, we might as well bide our time and wait until the shelter had another puppy that we could fall in love with immediately.

So we left. I phoned Lynn at school and told her to go over to the shelter and take a look and reiterate to the woman that we wanted one of the little brown and white female puppies.

Lynn fell in love, too. “That is exactly the kind of dog we want,” she said.

The week passed. Then yesterday afternoon, the shelter phoned me at work. “Are you still interested in the brown and white females puppies?” The woman asked.

“Yes! Definitely!” I said.

“The adoption fell through on the smallest of the two. Do you want it?”

“Of course! I’ll send my wife right over.”

It was the end of the school day, so I called Lynn and told her to get over there before four. I phoned the veterinarian and, to my surprise, got an appointment for four-thirty. So Lynn had to take her to the vet as well.

Brendan was so excited. Lynn actually had the puppy with her when she picked him up from school. I only wish I’d had a video camera, or even a still camera. He has wanted a puppy for so long, and he has been absolutely terrific so far with playing with the pup and being gentle and kind to her.

And when I got home from work, there she was, a tiny, soft, furry bundle of pure love.

For me, this is my first dog since I graduated high school. Our last dog had to be euthanized during my first semester in college. And let’s just say the cat I have had since 1996 is no longer especially affectionate, or playful. Cranky is the way I’d describe her now. It’s a rare treat when the cat lays on my lap or otherwise shows any sign that she desires attention. With the puppy, the cat has made it clear she is not happy, but she is adjusting better than if we had brought another cat home.  She has given the dog a hiss and a swat to let her know she won’t brook any puppy nonsense, and she certainly will not play with a puppy.  She is also even less desirous of attention from us than usual, which I guess is her way of punishing us for bringing a dog home.  But otherwise, she is her same old, grouchy cat-self.

Saffie, on the other hand, seems to want human contact more than any other dog I’ve ever had. Last night, Lynn went to bed before me, and she put the puppy on her chest, and there Saffie lay until I took her out for one last pee before going to bed.

She doesn’t bark. She doesn’t even whimper much. When I went to bed, I put her in her carrier and sat it by my side of the bed. She whimpered and scratched a little at first, but I told her “Shhh,” and she settled down. I did not hear another sound all night. She did not wake me up. She did not even go pee in her carrier; it was dry this morning, when I took her out.

So far, we have had a couple bathroom accidents in the house, but are trying to be regular about taking her out (every half hour while I am home, if I can manage it). She is only ten weeks old, but I think she will train easily.

Other relevant details include the vet’s statement that she believes she is a Shi’tzu and terrier mix. The vet said something about her “loose knee caps,” which are apparently a mark of a Shi’tzu. She is perfectly healthy. Her pink and black nose is called “liver colored,” and the vet said it would not change, but would look that way into adulthood. And best of all, she loves to lay on a nice, warm lap and receive lots of pets.

I think this is a love for the ages.