I get a lot of “bright ideas” of things I want to have or things I want to do. Some of them are normal things and some of them are way out there.

Lately I have been wanting another dog. We had our Rosie, a Boston Terrier, for 12 years maybe, a bit longer, raised her from a puppy. She was the dream dog, never sick, always happy, She loved to walk, slept in her crate, life was good. The last three months probably she was sick and it was time to let her go. We decided then we were taking a break from pets for a while.

Then came Abby, a Maltese, that was our neighbor’s dog. We took Abby in when our neighbor died. Abby was probably 10 or so when we got her, and we just couldn’t let her go to a shelter. All of us neighbors knew her, and I didn’t want her to go to a stranger. So, we inherited Abby. Abby was not the perfect dog! Of course, she had big shoes to fill, since Rosie was. Abby was stubborn, not sweet, HAD to sleep in the bed, fussy, did not play, and was not housebroken. Did I regret taking her, many times, yes! But we plugged along because I still couldn’t allow her to go to strangers. She was old and just not properly trained. We worked with her a lot and some days were even positive. Eventually she walked well on the leash, ate the food we gave her and wasn’t awful. She was still stubborn, but she would listen, sort of. Barked all the time. When it was time for her to cross the rainbow bridge, we were sad but it was time, and it was ok. She was 13 and very tired.

So here I am now, wanting a dog. Fantasizing about having one again. Remembering all the good stuff and forgetting the negatives. John has long learned to just let me run with whatever things come to me because normally I will play out the dance until it works or I let it go.

I also know my (our) limitations. I am 69 and john is 77. We do not need a puppy. I don’t have the stamina to keep up with a puppy and I certainly do not want to house break and train one. I actually thought that might make the search easier. And, I smugly thought I was very smart for knowing my (our) limitations!

I truly want a female Boston Terrier 1-3 years old fixed. I don’t need papers, not going to breed. Just a sweet face to walk and enjoy their company. I tried Rescue’s and they gave us an A+ until they found out we didn’t have a fence. Trying to explain we live in a 55+ and we aren’t allowed fences did not help. No was the answer. So I started on some of the Boston Terrier sites on Facebook and all I run into is what I think are scams. The “breeders” that have the dogs won’t tell you where they live, want $300 to $500 to “reserve” your dog and they will ship it to you. I wasn’t born yesterday, and I am not buying a dog I have not physically seen. And I am certainly not sending anyone money. I told the last one, who supposedly lives in Ocala I would come to them and bring cash and they said no. So, still no dog. Do you think God is speaking to me?

Our friends went out of town, and we agreed to watch their dog for the week while they were gone. We know him well and knew we would be comfortable with him. We got him Saturday morning, and they were to return the following Saturday. He really is a good boy, well trained and older. I took him for walks down the road many times a day and at first was just in love with a pretend dog. Empty Arms Syndrome! Then reality set in. He needs to go out at 3AM and wakes up ready to go at 6AM. When he went out, he didn’t run out and do his business, and go back in. He wanted to walk. I’m not sure if he found a sucker or if that is his routine, but I walked up and down the street day and night for this sweet little guy. I think he probably did find a sucker haha.

We had no house accidents; he was really easy. But he missed his mommy, he howled that painful heartache howl night and day, looking for his mommy. He ate good, definitely did his business and was amply walked and fussed over. So, we just had to accept that we were not his peeps!

Where did all this get us? I had a week of being a mommy again and that was enough for me for now. I have all the reasons in the world to find my beautiful Boston Terrier, and I will, but not today. It was a great exercise I highly recommend before you take the plunge with a pet. God ahead and babysit for a few days. You will know if it is time or not. For me, it is not, not yet.