I’ve always loved dogs, and had five Irish Wolfhounds in a row—three of them at the same time. But I was dogless for four years. I live near the dog park, and found myself going there often to “borrow” other peoples’ dogs, just to be around them.
I was beginning to think I was depriving myself of something I really needed. Someone at the dog park mentioned that the shelter had a dog I might like. So I went, and there was Mattie. She was focused on the other dogs and paid no attention to me at all. But I took her home on a trial basis, and we got along pretty well.
As a person on a fixed income, I don’t have a lot of money in my pocket all at once. So the shelter worked out a time-payment plan for Mattie’s adoption fee, and that was helpful.
Now when Mattie and I go to the dog park, she will usually sit there and look at me, paying no attention to the other dogs. We’re a good match. I think we’re both lucky to have found each other. –Jim McKeon