...because no dog on this earth could possibly, ever, be as good as the one you lost.
I've been missing Sakari really hard, and wondered how could I ever find another dog. And, I was coming to the idea that maybe I just wouldn't have anymore dogs in my life - there's no other dog out there for me.
I've been visiting the local SPCA site, the local shelter site, and have even done up to 100 miles radius for other shelter sites. I had pretty much given up in the last week or 2. I stopped looking because, meh - what's the point - there's no dog for me.
Since I've become familiar with some of the dogs at the shelter, today I thought I'd just go see who got adopted, as it always makes me happy, especially when they have been there for a long time.
I looked to see who was still available, and who was new, and was then going to go back to work and move on with my boring, "no Sakari the best dog ever" life.
I was on the 2nd page.
Have you ever looked at a photo and instantly felt a connection?
Work schmork. I ran to my car, drove like a maniac the entire 16 miles to the shelter, fast walked in, and slapped my credit card down on the counter stating, "I'm taking Bogo. I know I'm early, but I'm taking Bogo. Here's my money so no one else, especially a rescue, can take him out from under me."
They claimed they didn't have a dog named 'Bogo'. I had to show them their gallery on my phone. Then, before I could put money down, I was required to actually meet the dog. I knew I didn't need to, but whatever, let's do this.
No one was available for us to walk him outside, so they unlocked his cage and told me to go in and meet him.
I would never do that with a dog, normally. But I am telling you, I already knew. I walked in, sat down, tried to remind myself, "This is not Sakari, don't act like you did with Sakari, you don't know this dog yet."
Psssccht! Didn't even need to say that to myself.
He came right to my left side and clung to me. He whined. He nudged and demanded that I pet him. He licked my hand, he licked my face, he was all over me.
I got up after about 30 seconds, exited his cage, and left the dog area.
I went to the front, had to wait for an eternity while someone was in front of me.
Finally, she was done.
I pushed my card and ID towards them and said, 'Like I said, I'm taking him'. Filled out the paperwork, paid, got the pink adoption card, and asked if I could spend some more time in the cage with him. They said 'yes', and I went back to put his adoption card in his bio packet, and walked in to his cage again.
This dog immediately climbed onto me, into my lap, and put both of his arms around my neck. He smashed his face into mine, over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over....he whined and licked and gave me 32,000 kisses.
I talked to him. I showed him his pink 'I'm adopted' card, (yes, they do know what that means in case you were wondering when you saw those videos where the guy goes into the kennel and places orange cards on adopted dogs cage doors), and he could not get close enough to me. It was like he was trying to climb inside my soul.
I knew it. I knew just by the photo that this was the dog.
At one point, I put him off of my lap to remove my cell phone and keys out of my pocket, and he sat right up next to my left side, his face forward so that I could see his profile.
There is ZERO doubt in the world that Sakari was Border Collie. If you were to paint this dog's face with all black fur, his face would look EXACTLY like Sakari's face.
He is small, just like her. He's about 3 pounds more than her, and he's 2 years old, so he's grown.
This is what I was hoping to find. A small Border Collie that was affectionate. I already know he's intelligent, and he poured on the affection.
After about 15 minutes of this, I told him, 'Tomorrow is Christmas. You just have to go to sleep one more time, and then you're free."
I put his adoption card in his packet, boinked his little nose through the cage, and walked away.
This is my new dog:
(Government site, so no copyright.)
I love him already.
He's got a ton of energy, just like I'm used to with my BC mix Sakari. I live on a lake. We will have many adventures.
I pick him up tomorrow because he has to be snipped, first. Then, he comes home with me. The cats will be ticked, but they will get used to it.
I have 12 years of experience dealing with a Border Collie - mix or not, she was very much Border Collie. I know how stubborn they can be. I know how manipulative they can be. I know how bored they can get, easily. I also know that most of those 'mind games' at the pet store are a complete insult to them, so I have already learned how to create much more difficult games for this type of dog.
His fur is longer. I can't wait to get him on the raw food diet so that it starts looking gorgeous. Right now, he needs a bath and some grooming.
I miss Sakari so much, and I will probably never get over the loss - especially because of the way it happened, but if I'm going to have another dog, love another dog - this is the dog.
And he will benefit from everything I've learned over the past 12 years with Sakari, the first year being the hardest. Hard for me, becauseI didn't know much at all about the BC temperament and unbelievable intelligence. I know now.
And no, I'm not keeping that dumb name 'Bogo'. I will have to come up with something. It has to be original.
I will provide better photos once he's with me.
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