I am adopting!

[JohnMichael]

Yes folks tomorrow I pick up my 3 year old neutered male Beagle from the Humane Society. His current name is Regal but I may have to drop the L. I have not had a dog in years and I think I will enjoy the company. Since he is neutered I might get to be the alpha-male.

My sister went with me to check him out and when she had him on the leash he walked right at her side. When I took the leash he started running ahead and trying to pull me. I think he senses that I am a pushover. I may need advice from dog owners on this site.

I just hope he is not pretending to like me just to get out of doggie prison. When I made the second visit with my sister all the dogs were barking except for Rega. He just stood there wagging his tail and smiling. His smile won me over.

[ForeverAutumn]

That's fantastic news John! Regal the Beagle definately has to go though, good job on dropping the L.

Rescuing an animal is an admirable thing to do. There are so many great animals looking for homes. I'm sure that you and Rega will get along famously and enjoy many years together. I can't wait to see pics!

[thekid]

Both of our cats were rescued animals. The funny thing when we adopted the first one the cat the kids first picked we could not take home because it was being "held for evidence". As a matter of fact we were told that there was entire wall where all the animals were being "held for evidence" including 2 chickens.

[GMichael]

Lucky dog.

[JohnMichael]

That's fantastic news John! Regal the Beagle definately has to go though, good job on dropping the L.

Rescuing an animal is an admirable thing to do. There are so many great animals looking for homes. I'm sure that you and Rega will get along famously and enjoy many years together. I can't wait to see pics!

I look forward to someone being excited to see me when I get home. I hope he likes music. I will feel safe walking him around town.

[JohnMichael]

Lucky dog.

Lucky dog. Lucky owner. Thanks GM

[kexodusc]

I couldn't imagine life without my dog. You'll have a blast and you'll both learn lots from each other, JM. Good for you for giving this guy a home!

[poppachubby]

I hope he doesn't pee on your pristine carpets John! Oh the fun of housebreaking...it's all worth it. Congrats!!

[JohnMichael]

I hope he doesn't pee on your pristine carpets John! Oh the fun of housebreaking...it's all worth it. Congrats!!

Oh the carpets are not pristine since 13 months of a 25 year old human rescue. Since he is 3 years old I think it should be fairly easy. I did not feel I had the energy for a puppy. They had lots of them for adoption.

[JohnMichael]

Well we have been home for an hour now.

[JohnMichael]

Of course he had to jump on my antique quilt.

[ForeverAutumn]

LOL! Less than an hour and he's already on the furniture. Yep, I can see who's going to be ruling your roost.

He's adorable John!

[kexodusc]

Well we have been home for an hour now.

Seems like a happy little dude. Well done!

[LeRoy]

Congrats JM!

I miss having a dog and looks like Rega already is home sweet home. Will you be giving Rega middle name....like say....Apollo?

[jrhymeammo]

Great looking dog there John.
I love short legged dogs, especially the Beagle.

My dog has knocked over 3 pairs of speakers, busted 4 tubes, ate over a dozen LP covers, clothings, bed sheets/covers, and tons of other stuff I have yet to discover... If I had to choose between my dog and stereo gear, I would take him in a heartbeat. That SOB has given me countless headaches, but I wouldn't trade him for all the tea in China.

Enjoy and have fun,
JRA

[Woochifer]

Big ups to you JM!

Rescue dogs are an adventure, but you get so much in return. We lost our rescue dog just a few weeks ago after 9 years. It's time he otherwise might not have had, so we consider ourselves fortunate to have had that length of time with him.

Enjoy your time with him, I'm sure he'll be well spoil'd ... errr ... well taken care of!

[Woochifer]

Of course he had to jump on my antique quilt.

Yep, after we adopted our dog, he went right to the futon and claimed it. We initially didn't allow him on the furniture, even barricading them during the day when we went to work. Didn't work, he would worm his way through everything, and we eventually gave in. Once he was allowed on the sofa, he then progressively sprawled further and further out until he took over half of it. THAT's what you have to look forward to!

[Feanor]

Well we have been home for an hour now.

What a sweetheart.

I love dogs, (and other animals). We've had two dogs in recent years. My wife has proved most of the care, but when the first died about five years ago, I suffered an unanticipated and almost debilitating grief for serveral days ... "but he's only a dog".

Granted, his death of cancer was sudden. I'm appalled to realized that when my mother died last year at I felt less immediate grief than for the dog, ( is this terribly, terribly wrong?). In her case is was clear for several weeks before that her heart issues were catching up with her at age 91, though the precise date & time of her death were also unpredicted.

A mature dog sounds like a good choice in your case certainly. Puppies are a great deal more work, and though adorable, they don't stay puppies for very long.

[Worf101]

What a sweetheart.

I love dogs, (and other animals). We've had two dogs in recent years. My wife has proved most of the care, but when the first died about five years ago, I suffered an unanticipated and almost debilitating grief for serveral days ... "but he's only a dog".

Granted, his death of cancer was sudden. I'm appalled to realized that when my mother died last year at I felt less immediate grief than for the dog, ( is this terribly, terribly wrong?). In her case is was clear for several weeks before that her heart issues were catching up with her at age 91, though the precise date & time of her death were also unpredicted.

A mature dog sounds like a good choice in your case certainly. Puppies are a great deal more work, and though adorable, they don't stay puppies for very long.

Your mother died of progressive illnesses at age 91. I'm assuming you weren't in day to day contact with her. The dogs death was sudden and you were used to seeing him/her every single day when you walked in the door. I totally understand how latter might be more painful than the former. My dad died at 91, that naggin' little cough finally got him, but I grieved little for him because he was so full of beans right to the end. He'd seen 2 world wars, survived the Great Depression and had managed to raise three kids and was leaving with all his marbles. What was there to cry about? But back to your original question, no, you're NOT wrong... we love who we love how we love them.

Da Worfster

[Feanor]

Your mother died of progressive illnesses at age 91. I'm assuming you weren't in day to day contact with her. The dogs death was sudden and you were used to seeing him/her every single day when you walked in the door. I totally understand how latter might be more painful than the former. My dad died at 91, that naggin' little cough finally got him, but I grieved little for him because he was so full of beans right to the end. He'd seen 2 world wars, survived the Great Depression and had managed to raise three kids and was leaving with all his marbles. What was there to cry about? But back to your original question, no, you're NOT wrong... we love who we love how we love them.

Da Worfster

Thanks, Worfster. It's true the my mother live in her own apartment but I did speak to her daily on the 'phone.

I won't go into details but maybe a comment or two. My mother had hundreds of friend and acquaintances and made new ones easily all her life. She was outgoing and exceedingly thoughful -- never forgot a birthday, and offered gifts, cards, 'phone calls far beyond the usual social requirement; (if she'd been in her 20s she'd have been a Facebook fanatic). However she was a stickler for proper behaviour and there only two ways to do anything: her way and the wrong way. The better you knew her, the more tedious these faults seemed, and she was not well liked by my wife or her grandchildren. Sad to say, but this shortcoming mitgated our grief quite a lot.

[TheHills44060]

Keep the L as a tribute to Three's Company!

[Feanor]

Of course he had to jump on my antique quilt.

Watch the quilt! Take it from me their little doggy toe nails can do a lot of damage especially the stitching on quilts. If he's to be allowed up, replace the quilt or cover it with an old sheet or the like.

[bobsticks]

Nice work John. Congrats on the new addition to the family and make sure to allow yourself to enjoy a little unconditional canine love...

[dean_martin]

Congrats, John! We're a dog family too. We've had Roxie since she was a pup. We adopted our newest addition, Charlie, from my brother-in-law. I even wrote a song about him.

Ballad of Charlie Bright-Sword

Charlie, the dog from Alabama,
Went out to Californ-i-a.
He picked avocadoes with the Mexicans.
Met a li’l Chihuahua ‘long the way.

He got mixed up with some criminals.
Robbed a bank and stole an SUV.
Hopped a boat and sailed to Hawaii,
Caught a plane and flew to Osaki.

Now he’s a Samurai in Jay-pan.
Has a little geisha named Suki.
He fights crime and she makes all the money.
They wag their tails and live happily.

Charlie, the dog from Alabama,
Screwed up in Californ-i-a
Now he’s a Samurai in Jay-pan,
Kickin’ tail,
Sniffin’ tail,
All day!

[GMichael]

Congrats, John! We're a dog family too. We've had Roxie since she was a pup. We adopted our newest addition, Charlie, from my brother-in-law. I even wrote a song about him.

Ballad of Charlie Bright-Sword

Charlie, the dog from Alabama,
Went out to Californ-i-a.
He picked avocadoes with the Mexicans.
Met a li’l Chihuahua ‘long the way.

He got mixed up with some criminals.
Robbed a bank and stole an SUV.
Hopped a boat and sailed to Hawaii,
Caught a plane and flew to Osaki.

Now he’s a Samurai in Jay-pan.
Has a little geisha named Suki.
He fights crime and she makes all the money.
They wag their tails and live happily.

Charlie, the dog from Alabama,
Screwed up in Californ-i-a
Now he’s a Samurai in Jay-pan,
Kickin’ tail,
Sniffin’ tail,
All day!

Uh.......