News of the Right

I’ve decided to get Oliver.

Yesterday, I took Hogan to TLAC for a meet and greet with Oliver. I know that I had been torn between him and Leo, but in the end I really wanted Oliver more. Leo was cute and all, but I knew a family would snatch him up right away (UPDATE: someone did). I’m not saying I feel bad for Oliver or that this is a pity adoption, but his shyness and other problems really remind me of Hogan a year ago. Hogan wasn’t “damaged” per se, but he had a lot of problems that we’ve worked pretty hard to overcome and some that I’ve just chalked up to “personality”.

In the end, I want a dog I feel a rapport with, and that’s Oliver.

The meet-and-greet didn’t go as well as anticipated. Knowing how Hogan reacts to other dogs (he’s a pest), I thought that he would be all up in Oliver’s face, and Oliver would just shut down not vice versa. Surprising, eh?Sarah (whom I adore!) had an assistant bring Oliver to the meeting room. I wasn’t allowed to hold either dogs’ leash because I’m biased towards my own dog and would maybe give wrong signals to both of them (as I understand it). Hogan started off whining and impatient as always, but when he and Oliver got to play without their leashes Oliver was the one who wouldn’t leave Hogan alone even though Hogan was giving clear “I’m ignoring you; go away!” signals. Who knew that Hogan learned where to draw a line? Eventually, Oliver jumped on Hogan, who in turn fell over and landed on Oliver. Oliver than gave this exaggerated pain response (he yelped and limped over to the trainer even though he wasn’t hurt at all) which drove Hogan back to me.

Sarah was concerned, so she called in the animal behaviorist on staff (how cool of a job would that be?) to observe their interactions. After a few minutes and one more little yelp, I got the verdict: they weren’t a good match. Oliver was too socially immature to be with another dog and not eventually escalate something trivial into an all-out fight. However, that wasn’t the final word. With training and time, it would be possible for Hogan and Oliver to get along but I would gave to be the one to show them how I want them to do that.

No problem. I got Hogan up and running. I felt certain that I could make Oliver a part of the family. Except. The timing was bad. Next Tuesday I go to Columbus for a few days with Scully and to begin training Oliver and the cats, Oliver and me and Oliver and Hogan and Oliver and Hogan and me then interrupt it would be bad. The behaviorist left, as did Oliver (funny aside, Hogan opened the meeting room door and ran after him. It was damn cute and rather touching.) so Sarah and I could have a talk. She told me that Oliver would require a huge investment of time and energy, but that he could be a good pet and companion. I told her about Hogan’s problems and she said that if that were true, then I should be proud that he had turned out to be “such a gem”. She gave me until close of business today to make a decision.

I didn’t tell her about the trip.

I spent today figuring out what to do, then when I was almost finished grading, I decided the best thing to do was to let Oliver go. TLAC closes at 7, but I didn’t finish grading until 5:55. I hauled ass out of Epoch and got to TLAC in about 20 minutes (not bad for rush hour traffic!). Sarah was there and I told her my decision: to release the hold on Oliver and let him be available for adoption again. I told her about my having to leave and that interrupting training would be negative no matter what I managed to do in a week. If Oliver (who for some reason, I’ve been calling “Clarence” in my head) were to be adopted, I’d be sad for me but happy for him. However, if he were still around when I returned from Ohio, then I adopt him. Sarah completely understood, but I had an other question: “How much time does he have until he’s put down?”

Imagine how relieved I felt when Sarah told me that TLAC is a no-kill shelter. Once animals enter the adoption program they only leave when they’re adopted or are moved to another shelter.

So, it seems I may have another dog in a week. And with any luck I’ll have a job, too. Fingers crossed for me, please?