A new DOG

We also have a new dog -- Annabelle. She showed up on our front porch on Tuesday while I was in NYC. When I got home around 1 am Thursday she was still there. Trying to juggle my suitcase, computer, purse and the yummy treats I bought in the city was too much and she got into the house. At this point I could tell she had recently had puppies. She was crying and running around my house like a nut case. She spotted Matilda our little cat - not Merlin the big cat and began to cry and lick her -- on lick five or so she stopped looked at her again and threw herself down onto the couch. Guess the cat was not one of her long lost puppies. We got her out of the house and back onto the porch -- where she stayed all night.

I called the dog police to come and get her the next day. When I came home from work she was gone -- I was surprised because lets face it civil servants don't generally do what they are asked. At 630 my doorbell ding donged (don't you love my lingo) two crazy women and five teenage girls were on my porch with the dog now on a rope -- "Lady your dog was out on the highway". "This is not my dog." "Yes it is she came right to your house and laid down on the mat." "She is NOT my dog -- this is my dog." I picked little Mr. Buddy up to show her -- The first lady calls 911 the second lady ties the dog to my railing. They leave. My next thought is CRAP what do I do now -- big dog tied to the porch, homecare nurse on her way -- and dinner burning. First things first -- after all she was tied to the porch so it was not like she was going anywhere.

Sydney's nurse gets there about 45 minutes later -- this is a new nurse not our regular one for the past 6 years. Nurse Tami gets out of her car with all of her crap -- looks at the dog then looks at me -- "That's not your dog -- who's is it? She's BIG!!". I tell her the sorted tale -- she starts to prep Sydney's port for the blood draw -- I look out the window as the police pull up in front. I shake my head and tell the nurse I'll be back and step over the dog to talk to the officer on my grass. He lets me know that animal control is closed -- I tell him yes, that is what I tried to explain to the (crazy) women who phoned. He tells me that they sent him since he breeds dogs -- great an expert. He tries to pet the dog -- she growls and stands up. He looks at her underside and backside and lets me know "she has recently given birth". You should be proud at this point because I didn't say -- "gee is that why she is lactating?". He asks if he can leave her here for the night and he swore that the animal police would pick her up first thing in the morning. I told him that would be fine. He asks if I will feed her -- I told him of course. He says goodnight and heads back to his patrol car. Just as an FYI -- dog does not like canned dog food -- what dog doesn't like that? Also, it was cold out -- she was freezing. Maggie put Buddy's basket out there -- Buddy is a shitzu poodle mix -- the basket is small -- Dog is large and squishes into it. Dog is still cold so I cover her with two blankets -- she sleeps all night.

The next morning Charles says "maybe we should just keep her and try to find her people". WTH???? I told him no -- after much talking (more me listening) I agree to leave the animal people a note. In the note I told them what we knew about said dog -- good with cats, kids, and women. She doesn't like men or wet dog food. I also put in there (against my will) that if her people do not claim her that we will re-evaluate adopting her. Every hour my neighbor text's me that the dog is still there -- the texts end at noon. I feel relief and guilt. The animal police must have come and picked her up.

Five o'clock rolls around I'm cleaning up a few lose ends at work -- my cell rings it is Charles. Charles asks if I'll pick the baby(Zachary) up from the sitter (side note -- at what age is he no longer a baby??). I said I had planned on it -- why would today be any different than any other day??? It is oddly quiet and I ask Charles where he is -- at home with Annabelle -- I ask who Annabelle is -- The dog from the porch. I ask why she in the house the answer of course is that the dog police did not come and get her -- Annabelle been in the house since 3 -- she is doing well. WTH??? Charles tells me that is taking her to PetsMart to see if she has a chip and to pick up some dry dog food. I hang up the phone and think WTH??

I arrive home to hear the joyful news from our children --No chip -- No ads for lost pets -- so she is still with us. I guess she picked the right house to claim as her own --

Welcome to our world Annabelle!