To Sleep, Perchance to Dream...

Not about upcoming wars, ongoing famines, or Washington fatcats who don't know the difference between wants and needs, either...

See you back here in the morning then.
I think I got all that negativity out of my system today, and did enough worrying for all of us.

You know, much as I like independence, I'll admit, being a Libra, and being alone, is no easy task. I found a dog this week -- it found me, rather, came to my home and started making a fuss outside my window. Tried and tried to find it's home, where he belonged -- obviously, this one was loved and cared for; you can tell by his affectionate behavior and good grooming.

Figured surely the family would be right behind, looking for him. Must have slipped his collar, jumped out a window or something. Never occured to me he might be abandoned, until neighbors pointed out that's what happens sometimes these days when families lose their houses, can't keep the pets, and fear turning them in will only mean certain death if they're not adopted out.

Called the police, the shelter, posted flyers, read the papers ... nothing. Can't keep pets where I'm at currently, so Mal -- a friend in need is a friend indeed -- stepped up to take "Buddy" (his name, seemed to have stuck. I just called him, "Good boy!" myself; this one's a charmer, really).

You look into those trusting eyes, you watch the uncertainty as he runs from backdoor to backdoor, finally realizing, this dog has no idea where he's at... and suddenly it hits you in full: the confusion, the abandonment, the hesitancy to trust ... right there in a shedfree soft curly coat.*

I found him a good home for the time being, and he got really excited to see me when I visited late Sunday. Still, Mal generally doesn't do patience really well, and I suspect the dog's novelty will wear off over time. (Plus, he's booked a trip to Jamaica this winter already, and no way is this dog going out of the country with him...)

So now, I've got someone, something counting on me. I'm still hoping we find his first home, I know they must miss him whereever he came from, and I'm wondering now if he's ever wintered in Wisconsin, or maybe if he just came to this area with a family just passing through.

It hits you to see the innocence in him, and I'll bet that's multipied 10 times over for those who work with children who perhaps find themselves in the exact same sitution. It'll get better, I know, but day to day to day ... where the next meal's coming from, who's going to be there to spend the day with you ... they're not like houseplants where it's cool if you just miss a week or two of care.

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* He's a nice size, and a nice breed. Yorkadoodle -- yorkie and poodle mix, it seems. Two or three years old, said the vets assistant, who unsuccessfully searched for an ear chip.