the man of my dreams...

A couple of weeks ago, Sam and I headed out to run some errands on a Saturday morning. We had to hit three stores while we were out. The third store was the shoe store so Mama could try and find some new boots. I made a deal with the kid on the way in that if he held out and was patient and listened while I tried on shoes, I would take him to PetSmart before we went home to visit the doggies and kitties. (Many of the local animal shelters bring animals there on the weekends to try and get them adopted.)

This is one of Sam's favorite things to do, so he was extra good and actually pretty helpful while I perused through what must feel like endless rows of shoes to a 3-year-old. I was successful at finding boots and Sam was successful at earning his reward (although, slightly disappointed that we left the red, patten leather, open-toed stilettos he had picked out for me on the shelf at the store).

On to PetSmart we went. Walking into the store, we knew right where to go to see the dogs available for adoption. We never go in seriously looking. Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE animals and have been pleading my case with my husband for a dog for years. We do have a cat, but I always had dogs growing up and would love for my kids to experience having a dog (especially since the cat won't let them near him!).

As we approached the maze of pens, the very first dog on the right caught my eye. He was a little, 1-1/2 year-old beagle mix named Hogan. He was very friendly as we walked up to him and maybe a little over-excited. The volunteer from his shelter saw us talking to him and offered to get him out. I declined...I try not to visit with any of the dogs too long because, well, I'd probably have about 60 dogs living at my house, if I did.

The volunteer insisted, though, since she said she was getting ready to take him out for a potty break anyway. I didn't hold Sam back as she opened the door because, even though Hogan was pretty excited and I predicted him jumping, I wasn't all that concerned since he really was only about the size of our cat. The door opened and the excited, friendly little guy bounded out and immediately dropped to the floor in front of Sam and rolled on his back to have his belly pet. I was floored!

Sam and Hogan interacted for a few minutes, and Hogan's tail never stopped wagging. I could tell he was just eating up the attention, yet he kept himself under control the entire time and didn't jump on Sam once. I then crouched down to pet him and tell him what a good dog he was and he slowly worked his way into my lap as I scratched behind his ears. And it happened...I did exactly what I had been avoiding for years...I fell in love with a shelter dog. The volunteer could see it. I told her I had to go talk to my husband...that we had a Christmas party that night so I couldn't possibly take him home that day...that I might touch base with her before the end of the day and see if we could drive out to the shelter to get him the next day. All the while, of course, not letting Sam hear any of it. I didn't want to get his hopes up (or mine) since there's a daddy at home who is not all that fond of dogs.

We left the store and, the whole way home, Sam was telling me that he loved that dog, that he wanted Hogan to come and live with us, that Hogan needed a family so he didn't have to live at PetSmart anymore. And while he went on and on out loud, I was going on and on in my head...it was a stupid idea...we wouldn't be able to bring him home until Sunday, then would have to leave him for work on Monday...we had family coming into town for Thanksgiving that week and how would he deal with all the commotion...would he feel abandoned again when we would have to board him for the week between Christmas and New Year's...

We got home and I immediately went to find Kris. I quietly told him that if he had ever even considered agreeing to a dog in the house, the one we needed to get was at PetSmart at that very moment. Since he was heading out to run errands of his own while the kids were napping, he actually agreed to go check him out! There was glimmer of hope!

And here is where you are all expecting a happy ending and an adorable picture of the new family dog, right? Well, sorry to let you all down, but...

Kris arrived at PetSmart too late to see Hogan since his shelter had already taken their animals back to their facility. The next day, I logged onto their website and learned he had been adopted. I was a little sad for a few days...I'd never been that drawn to a dog before...I almost had myself believing that Kris would arrive home with our new furry friend that afternoon. But, it apparently wasn't meant to be.

A few days later, Sam asked about Hogan and whether he was going to come live with us. I gently told him that Hogan went to live with another family and that he was happy to not have to be in the little cage at PetSmart anymore. Sam was a little upset, but after a couple minutes, accepted the answer and went on with his day.

A few days after that, the whole family plus my parents were all walking into Michael's together which happens to be next door to PetSmart. Sam again asked about Hogan and I reminded him that he went to live with another family. It was then that he said, very loudly and disappointedly, "Ohhhh, I don't want a crazy dog running around my house and breaking everything...I want Hogan!" And, I swear, he came up with that completely on his own. It seems I have an ally in my quest...we're working on getting Grace on board, too. Our goal is in sight and the search is on for another "Hogan". Once we find him/her, I think our tactic to win the battle with Daddy will be...tears...from all three of us. Wish us luck!