someone got the dogs we wanted

I'm happy that the dogs found homes. But I wish ours had been the home for one of them.

Drat.

Well, there will be more dogs.

went to an adoption event

My wife and I went to the "Super Adoption" event in White Plains this weekend to look at dogs. First off, thanks to EVERYONE involved in putting it on. I was so happy and excited that I was nearly vibrating. I love dogs.

And did they ever have dogs there! There must have been 400 of them -- way more dogs than cats. Just about every size and shape, except for the giant dogs. There was only one mastiff, no great danes, saints, or newfies.

We found two dogs that we are interested in. Our first choice is a small coonhound who is just so calm and sweet. Second choice is a much bigger dog who is hound-and-something-big. Another exceedingly calm dog. If either dog has not been adopted, they're going to be at the shelter near us! Saying a (very selfish) prayer to St. Francis that we can get one of these dogs when our home renovation project is done next week.

How Will I Raise This Dog?

I'm new at this dog thing, so I'd better go read up on what to do. I'll be back in a minute.

OK, I'm back. And I'm so confused.

It seems that everyone has an opinion (or two) on how to raise a dog, and they're all pretty sure of themselves. There's lots of "You Must" and "You Must Never" phrases in their writing. You can tell that there's not a lot of science behind any of this, because there's also a fair bit of dismissal of other techniques.

I'm reading Caesar Millan's "How to Raise the Perfect Dog." I'm not sure this is the book for me. Maybe a better title for me would be "How to Raise the Least-Defective Dog." I'm sure Caesar is a nice man, but this book wanders all over the place. If you'll forgive the analogy...like an untrained beagle. But I'm learning!

One thing about Cesar -- watch his shows, don't read his books. I get a totally different impression of what he's trying to say. Of course, it would be nice if I had all the time in the world, and a giant "Dog Psychology Center" to train the dog. But I have to go to work and I only have a back yard for training.

I Want a Dog

I'm Chris. I'm 44. Since I was 4 I have wanted a dog. Now I'm finally in a position to get one. I have my own house (with my ever-understanding wife) in the suburbs, with a fenced yard.

I'm going to find a dog. I like hounds. Maybe pointers. I love Newfies and St. Bernards, but they're really big, they don't live as long as mutts, and they drool. So maybe that will be the next dog.

But I'm getting a dog.