Honestly, at first it was going to be a fostering situation. A nice
dog needed a place to stay until just the right loving home was found
for him. This initial arrangement would work well for me, because like
you, I am currently juggling a hundred different things, and who really
has time to bring a new family member into the picture? Fostering
sounded so temporary, and we can take pretty much anything on a
temporary basis, right?
He arrived last Friday with the name Mutt. Very tired, very scared, very quiet, and very humble. He took in his surroundings with reverence and respect. I was with him for about five minutes when I received my first doggie kiss. Many, many more would come to me on this first day. As we spent time getting to know each other, I was convinced Mutt was not the right name for him. He looked like a Charlie to me. But every time I called him that, Chocolate, my Yorkie, came up. Yeah, I guess the two names are too close to differentiate, especially with all this new activity going on. We tried the name Eddie next. It almost stuck for one day until my daughter and I just knew it was another name this dog should have. On Sunday, we had it: Toby.
And by Sunday, Toby had moved far beyond his initial shy demeanor. We now heard him bark, and he was getting brave enough to try and steal Chocolate's food as soon as he'd wolfed down his own. Also by that time, he'd discovered the cats. From reading Toby's body language, these are the most fascinating creatures ever to appear on earth. His over bounding enthusiasm has kept them at a huge distance, but he has tried pretty much anything to get close to them. There's been one small scratch to the face, but nothing more. This dance looks like it will continue for a while.
When I reported back to his initial caregiver our progress after the first couple of days, I received this response: "I guess he's home then. Once you name them, you keep them."
Yes, he is home. Welcome Toby. We have a ways to go to get you settled in with the rest of the brood, but I know it will work out. With your gentle eyes, your wonderful energy, and your constant affection, how could it be any other way? Now sit and don't bug the cats!
