The search for a new fur baby was sparked by the kind heart of a local realtor paying for all adoption fees for the animals at the Front St. Animal Shelter. One rainy Saturday we piled everyone into the truck and headed Downtown. We were not the only family looking and did not find the right dog there. We tried three more shelters around town and still ended going home empty handed. Maybe it wasn't meant to be.
A few weeks went by and another rain day came. The Renaissance man ended up staying home from work so we went to the mall to do some shopping and decided over holiday coffee to give the Front St Shelter another look. Still no luck in finding a pooch. After picking up the little's from school we decided to go check out Bradshaw Animal Shelter.
We looked at many dogs, and this is very hard because when you walk by them they give you sad eyes when you walk away. A curious dog looked out the window and his tail started wagging as my son pressed his face against the window. As my daughter walked by he followed her gaze looking back and forth between the children. As a prospective match there is a room in which you go into with the dog to bond and see his temperament.
Once out of his room the dog became timid and shy. Walking near him he was nervous around shoes and fast movements, this guy had it rough before and his previous owner wasn't so kind. Was I willing to take a skittish stray with an unknown past home? I debated and even after finding out he was on meds for kennel cough we made the decision to open our hearts and home.
We made the dangerous rainy drive home without incident and the dog fell asleep in my daughters arms. Once we got home it was time to see how Chico would receive another dog into the home. One of my fears of bringing a new dog home was the fact that we had presents around a tree inside. First thing that dog does is pee on the tree and a few packages had to be rewrapped. Thank goodness that was the one and only time. We named our new dog Rico. Yes that's Chico & Rico.
Now the story takes a twist and Rico almost goes back to the shelter the next day.
Being fresh out of the shelter Rico smelled foul. Giving the dog a full bath wasn't possible because he was recently neutered. So we purchased wipes and a coat spray. No matter what we did the dog smelled like skunk. That night there was barely any sleep and it was determined he needed to be returned because the smell wasn't bearable. I dreaded the next morning. It was hard for me to face the children and let them know we couldn't keep him. The shelter didn't open till 12:30 p.m which was probably his saving grace. A trot outside resulted in the dogs finally playing and Rico taking a pent up poo.
After play and relieving himself he didn't smell as bad. Further research lead me to the knowledge that Cairn Terriers have oily coats and when it gets clogged and trapped in it's coarse hair it smells. I just couldn't go through returning him, we bonded that afternoon. When everybody came home from school they were ecstatic that my heart wouldn't allow him to go back. It's been a week now since Rico is a part of the family and he's turned out to be a pretty awesome dog. Our Christmas wish was answered and I believe his was too.
