I came out of dinner at the new Thai place Thursday and made my way through the LA Fitness/ToysRUs waaaaaay too crowded parking lot only to find the cutest, scruffiest little doggy running around like a nut. I called "Puppy! Puppy!" and he came right to me. I saw one guy outside his car, went over, and asked if it was his dog. He said it wasn't but he'd been watching him for about a half hour to make sure he didn't get hit. He'd already gone into the ToysRUs and they'd made an announcement. No one responded. He couldn't take the dog, because he had cats.
So, I scooped Little Guy up, hopped in friend K's car and drove around the parking lot. She went into the LA Fitness, where they made an announcement too. And we left my name and cell number. Found a security guard in a golf cart circling the parking lot and did the same. Then swung back by the ToysRUs to do the same.
K took us to Kroger, where we waited in the car while she got a leash and food. I think took Little Guy home.
I made a posting on Craig's List that night. And worked from home Friday to stay with him in the hope of avoiding further trauma. Friday I went to PetSmart for a crate and toy, to my vet to see if he was microchipped, and then home where I called two animal control facilities, two area hotels (the only residential things nearby), and the local emergency vet. I called Atlanta Pet Rescue (
www.atlantapetrescue.org) - A local non-profit, no-kill facility. But they said I had to have him for a minimum of 7 days before they could take him. I scoured local classified ads. Found one that looked like a match - but it was for a little girl. Little Guy was most obviously not a girl. He still had ALL his boy parts.
So - I was going to use the rest of the 3 day weekend to evaluate and attempt crate training over a weekend. I tried to leave Friday evening about 5 for dinner. Put LG in the crate. Walked out on the front porch. And about 15 feet away. Called friend B who could hear him throwing a fit from that distance and over the phone. Dinner didn't happen.
LG loooooved being outside. We walked a minimum of 10 times a day for a minimum of 10 minutes at a time. At least 4 walks were double to triple that time. We played fetch the tennis ball twice Saturday in an attempt to wear his ass out.
Friend B got a baby gate at Target for me (because I was trapped at home with LG). LG scaled the baby gate from the kitchen by the time I had made it to the living room.
He slept with me at night. Curled up right next to me. Woke up each morning once at 530a for a walk/pee/poop. Then went right back to sleep. Then up at 730a for a walk/pee/poop and right back to sleep. And let me sleep until 10ish each day. That part I could live with.
But there's this problem of this thing I have called a job. That they expect me to be at about 9 hours a day including lunch. Friend K said - Well just go home at lunch! Well - Yes. That's a possibility. But what about the 4 hours before and the 4 hours after?
We tried crate training several times a day. Today we made it to 1 hour with not HORRIBLE fits.....Just light (but constant) whimpers. I'm sure my neighbors could hear. Problem again - 1 hour is a long way from 9. Or even 4 for that matter.
After much stress and worrying I called Atlanta Pet Rescue again on Saturday and told them I just couldn't leave him Tuesday. They were hesitant, but said to bring him in for an "evaluation". I've been there several times and seen dogs just as hyper and with much worse behavior problems. But I was still nervous about the "evaluation".
Sunday friend B was kind enough to ask us over for dinner. I think she knew I was about to crack. And I was about to the point of thinking "I'll never be able to go ANYWHERE but PetSmart!" LG was a NUT at her house. Exhibited some of his worst behavior so far! I think B had thought I was exaggerating. But the laps around the furniture, up the stairs, down the stairs, hand biting, face licking, more laps, and constant movement, convinced her otherwise. Made me feel better about my decision.
We had a lot of fun for four days and I was really hoping it would work out. I tried to MAKE it work, but it just wasn't in the cards for us.
This morning when I got out of the shower (which he really wanted to join me for) he was licking, licking, licking the water off my toes. I finally said "Enough - Licky McToe-son!" (Pattygal will get that.)
So today B and I went to Atlanta Pet Rescue around 130p. It is a really good place. The evaluation went well and LG is now there. He'll be up for adoption once he gets neutered and healed.
They named him McGee. I asked why McGee? Girl - Well, we used to have another terrier here that we called CrazyPants McGee. Because he was a CrazyPants. The "CrazyPants" part is an inside joke here. I don't expect people to get it. Me - No! I SOOOOOOO get it! Because he IS CrazyPants McGee!
Here's a picture of CrazyPants. Look for "McGee".
www.atlantapetrescue.org/www_ver2/pet_pages/toy/toy.htmIf you know if anyone in the greater Atlanta area who wants a dog, has a yard, is home most of the time and has a lot of patience? Please pass along his info. He's a great boy and will make someone a great little doggy.
I'm just praying he finds the right people. As I hugged him goodbye, I whispered in his ear (loud enough for the girl to hear) - "Find the RIGHT people! If they don't seem right, be aloof. And maybe do that annoying thing to them where you bite and tug on their pants leg!" She laughed at that and it made me like her.
I made a donation on my way out. If you're looking for a good tax write off and a good place for a donation, give this some thought.
Have a good life CrazyPants. I'm missing you already. I see a 52 acre farm in your future.
Love - Your 4 day Mom
(Just a couple tears. But I'm ok.)
