So last week didn't exactly go as planned and we'll just say my life changed pretty abruptly when I met this little guy, named Dude. He wondered up to my uncle's house, who also lives on the same family plot I do, and they have gotten him nursed back to health over the last couple of weeks while trying to find his owners or a new home for him. Well, they had no luck and after 7 days, apparently in the state of Alabama, the dog is yours and then it turns into a surrender, which is a completely different thing than turning in a stray. And this cute boy is too good of a dog to get in line to be put down because of shelter over-crowding.
Anyway, last week, I was in charge of feeding all of their animals except for the cows while they were out of town. This included their current dog, Rowdy, who is their Australian Shepard that is a working dog, and Dude. Well, when I met Dude, it was a pretty instant connection. He is so cute, and just a big bundle of love.
So after getting the okay from all other parties involved, I decided to go ahead and bring Dude down to the house and meet Chip (my good old brown dog, the OG, my ride or die for 16 years) and Patrick (my mom's little Maltese). Chip and Dude became pretty quick buddies, Patrick, well, he is a little furry gremlin anyway, so I new he was going to be the pain in the ass, lol.
For me, the important connection was for Dude and Chip to be able to connect and be buddies. Chip is 17 and let's just say on borrowed time. He pretty much instantly knew when I brought Dude in the house what it was all about. Chip gave Dude the circle-and-sniff and look at me and basically gave me his nod of approval. It's like he knew that Dude was there to be the next one. And here we go with me crying just talking about it, but it's the reality. Chip has been my loyal best friend for nearly all of his life, so now Dude gets to be the next. The crazy thing is I got Chip around the same age (The vet said Dude was between 12-18 months).
So after we met up and he was cleared by the other dogs of the house, we loaded up in the Yukon and took a trip to Pet Smart to go and get a bed, bowl, and a couple of chew toys. He did so good on the ride up to town. It was like I had a young version of Chip riding shotgun next to me. It just feels right. If you haven't been following me long, go check out some of my older van life posts. Chip was my co-pilot in a 4 year van journey, and looked just like this in the front seat. So it just fits.
We got home and got his new bed setup, which didn't take long for Chip to pretty much take over, which isn't pictured, but it's kind of what has happened, lol. Dude has been in the bed or on the couch with me anyway, lol. So it's all working out.
It makes me happy that they are really big buddies. Dude is such a sweet and happy dog. He is very smart and learns very quickly. The only thing is that he still has his full manhood, and to be honest, I plan to keep it that way. My sister, whom I got Chip from not long after he had turned one, had been fixed early to try and calm him down because they lived in an apartment. Well, didn't work, and he ended up with me anyway because I was living on the farm at the time and had the space for him to run. But it was WAY too early and I am seeing the effects of his hips and muscles breaking down over time. So instead, I am going to look into one of those GPS tracking and fence systems to keep him from roaming off. Other than that, he minds really well.
Meal times have been working out great. No fussing or fighting and everyone finishes their own food then does the rotation to see who left what. No fighting so far, which has been great. Dude knows his place. It's funny because he is really a picky eater where Chip, well, is not, lol.
But Dude is at home. His new forever home! He knows it and is extremely happy. As much as I love Chip, he is kind of an introvert in the way that he is not as much of a lover as Dude is. Dude is a bit invasive on the loves, which is really what I need in my life right now. After a couple of crappy dates, I realized that I don't need a girlfriend, I just needed a puppy, lol.
Nope, not spoiled at all...
I am sure there will be many more Dude posts in the future, lol. But yeah, this is pretty much what has taken up my week next to getting ready for the workday we had at the Dirty South FPV Park this past weekend, but that will come in another post!
Until next time...
Be cool, be real, and always abide with you my dudes!