Welcome Phineas

Back in December, before we got the Covid, we met a girl to talk about us adopting her dog. 

That's the link if you need a refresher on his tale. Her life and work schedule were such that she no longer felt it was fair to him to keep him cooped up in their DC apartment, and she wanted better for him. We were ready to welcome a new friend, and were in the market for someone who was already housebroken as we rent. 

We met up and took a nice walk in Rock Creek Park and talked about life, the universe, and everything. She was actively looking for a new job, nothing was panning out in DC. She was hoping for Richmond or close to it, so she could be near her family so he would have someone to care for him during the day and she'd feel a lot less guilt. But none of those jobs were panning out either. We totally got it. 

He seemed disinterested in us, mostly interested in being out for a walk. She gave him copious treats, which amused Doug because you get one treat for being good and going outside to pee.

We agreed the following weekend we'd meet up, have her come to our house, check the situation and see that we aren't weirdos who adopt dogs and then bait them in a dogfighting ring or something. 

She wanted a week for closure, to say goodbye, and we thought that was perfectly reasonable. 

During that week, she texted me to say she'd changed her mind. She wasn't ready. She just couldn't do it. We told her that was perfectly alright. We understood how very hard this must be, to have a pal for 10 years and then ponder a situation like this. Our hearts were full and open to her. 

If you change your mind please let us know, was our standpoint.
If you find another dog and don't want him, I absolutely understand, was hers.

We then got Covid, the new year came, we found a place to move to which allowed dogs (with a fully fenced in yard so any dog could come and be with us at some point). We were in a position for something to happen this spring, and Doug began looking again.

She contacted us the week we were moving to let us know she was ready. She'd given it a lot more thought, and had finally gotten a new job, but it was a driving commute, and hour each way. That was more time away from him, where he'd be alone in the apartment waiting for her. It was even less fair to him. 

I put a mom hat on and asked if it was smart of her to maybe move closer to the job, would that be a possibility? She said she was in a lease, and that it wasn't a possibility.  I get it. For sure. 

Were we still interested?

As you can see. We indeed were still interested. This is Phineas. First of his name. Age 10. She didn't know his birthdate, but based on guesses and adoption paperwork she decided his birthday is Halloween, so it shall stand.

We moved into the house, and Doug wasted no time. She had taken two weeks off between the jobs, had a good time with him, and was ready to meet us. 

She came up on Thursday of this past week, I think we were here in the house all of 10 days. She was sad, and it was hard for us to hide our joy with having him here in the house, and temper it with being kind to her and her situation. 

When she left, he whined and paced a little bit. Stood at the fence at the street and watched her drive away. I chose to go into the bedroom and join a conference call that I'd hopped off of, because I didn't want to cry over this. He was given a treat, and encouraged to come into the house. 

And our lives together began. I do wonder what goes through his mind, like if he wonders where she is, is she coming back? Why am I here with these dumb people? Can I please go home? 

But then he seems completely into us, even likes going to visit Geoff downstairs and hang out a little bit. Geoff wants him to sleep down there, but Phin does not want to. He prefers it up here.

He is affectionate, likes to be in between on the couch with us. Has a dog bed but prefers the people bed and starts the night between our shoulders but moves to our feet after a bit. He isn't barky or bitey, if we have to nudge his ass to get him out of the way, he is compliant and understanding. He is an early bird, awake with the sun and ready to eat and go out. 

Right now, he's in the bedroom with Doug on this dreary day, taking a nap. In this picture, it is morning coffee time yesterday, settled in on my knee for some quiet time. 

He gets riled up if he sees the leash or dog poop bags. Or if someone says "walk." He's very smart, but also kind of a vacuum so we need to make sure we don't leave food within his nose reach or he'll snarf it down. 

Doug had hoped for us to take a really nice walk today but the weather messed up his plans. I think that's God's way of telling us to stay here and unpack and organize. We have spent a lot of time up at the old house finishing up the cleaning and emptying the shed. The weather was such that we didn't want to get up there and try to unload the shed and slip on ice. 

So we're done there, and life is good here, with a dog. And boxes. Organization will come, all in due time.