It all started with a picture.
Well, I suppose it started when I decided to spend an entire day looking at adoptable shelter dogs online. When I saw this little face, I knew that I had found my future baby.
Ziggy (now Indy) in his shelter photo. At the time I didn't realize how SAD he looked.
I immediately e-mailed my then-boyfriend (now husband) who I rely on to be the level-headed one in the relationship. And here's how that exchange went down...
Me: Please!?!?!?!?!?! He's Perfect.
Brian: Oh My God!! He is sooooo cute!! Do you want to go look at him tomorrow? We can go. Seriously.
So much for that.
Naturally, I couldn't wait a whole day so we went to meet this little guy after work.
Spoiler Alert: We took him home that night.
Unfortunately, this isn't a blog about how we adopted a wonderful little dog and lived happily ever after. No, this is a blog about how we got in way over our heads with a dog that had serious behavioral issues.. and then we all lived happily ever after.
There were real warning signs all along the way. Signs that we chose to ignore. Let's do a quick rundown:
First, there was his description. On the surface, it sounds adorable and innocous, but take a closer look...
Hi, I’m Ziggy a 1-year old altered male Dachshund. I’m looking for an owner with breed experience. Part of my adoption requirements include mandatory training to help me learn basic leash skills. I am friendly and outgoing with adults but feel uncomfortable around young children so need an adult only home (teens okay). I can live with other dogs and possibly other resident pets. Stop by and we can play and get acquainted. Hopefully you will take me home. Ask for Ziggy.
Here's what jumps out at me now:
1) "I'm looking for an owner with breed experience." Why is that an issue? Well, I've since figured out that this is code for "Dacshunds are GIGANTIC jerks."
2) "Part of my adoption requirements include mandatory training to help me learn basic leash skills." Translation: "I am a wild man with no manners."
3) "...feel uncomfortable around young children." Thankfully, we weren't planning on having children anytime soon (if at all). But I'm now positive that this dog would eat a child if given the chance.
Then, there was the meeting itself. This was the exchange we had with the Adoption Counselor when we walked in and asked for Ziggy:
Us: "Hi! We're here to see Ziggy."
Adoption Counselor: "Really?" *Heavy Sigh* "Are you sure you want to meet Ziggy? We have lots of dogs available."
Us: "Nope, we really just came here for Ziggy..."
Adoption Counselor: "OK, suit yourselves. He's been a real pain today. I just put him in solitary confinement after he got into a fight with a chihauhua this afternoon."
Want to hear something funny? We thought that was ENDEARING! Oh, Ziggy.
When we finally got to meet the dog that we were sure was meant to be ours, he completely ignored us. Like, did not care that we existed. But being the oblivious dog parents-to-be that we were, we moved forward confidently with the adoption.
On the way out, Ziggy completely flipped out - I mean barking his head off, lunging, foaming at the mouth - at another dog who was innocently standing in the waiting room.
That's, OK. We thought. He just needs some love and stability. He'll be totally fine once we get him home.
WRONG.
The final warning sign was the looks of surprise and relief that we saw on the faces of the shelter workers we passed on our way out.
"You're a lucky man, Ziggy." One of them commented ominously.
And on we went, blissfully unaware of what we had just gotten ourselves into.
But you know what?
I wouldn't change a thing.
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