Three dogs... Again!

This past summer, I lost a good friend. He was a 70 pound, chocolate and cinnamon brindled, mixed breed dog named CJ. Though he was only with me for a year, his passing left a huge energy sink in my life and home. Three weeks later, Oliver, my beloved cat died unexpectedly... Heartbroken doesn't even come close to describing the grief and emptiness I felt in the ensuing months.

My heart yearned for Oliver's soft, furry body curled up on my lap, the way his purr started with the slightest touch, how he hijacked the dogs' beds, and the signature meow which earned him the title of "charming loud mouth." Finding another cat who touched me in the same way Oliver did would take time and, since I waited 17 years for him to come into  my life, I could wait a little longer for a purr-buddy. Focusing on my dogs would keep me plenty busy in the meantime.

Kasbah, the clown on left, Bonnie on right.

Well, life is weird. It takes unexpected twists and turns you can't anticipate.  Sometimes something as benign as a photograph is responsible for catalyzing changes in the way you feel and think, and that's what this image did to my (ahem) firm decision to keep a 2 dog family.

A little back story first: I became a fan and supporter of Bad Rap when I became Poppy's guardian two years ago. Thanks to the resources on their web site and their Pit Ed classes, I've learned a lot about being a better dog handler and guardian. I "liked" the Bad Rap page on Facebook and peruse their orphan gallery every so often to see the new dogs they're working with and congratulate them on successful adoptions. Occasionally a cute face or goofy posture piques my curiosity and I take a closer look. Yum Yum. Olive. Diamond. Star. Smudge. Harley Quinn. Harpo Barx... Many dogs -- all beautiful, unique, lovable, and adorable pups but no heart string-pulling until I saw Kasbah on their FB page.

The imp really got to me. There was just something so endearing about this goofy, flop-eared mutt... So I emailed Bad Rap and asked if he was still available and if I might meet him. The response was a warm affirmative. We settled on a date to visit the Rescue Barn and on September 20, I loaded up my truck with my dogs, Jimmy and Poppy, to see Kas all the while feeling like I was going on a first date.

Fortunately the meet and greet went way better than just about any first date I've ever had. Kas and Pops took to each other like they'd been friends for years. Kas was bigger than he looked in his photos but still a floppy, puppish goofball. He and Pops seemed to be well-matched in size and energy output, and we all had a good giggle when Jimmy joined the hour-long chase.

Donna sent me photos of the dogs playing and sitting pretty for Tim...

Things looked very promising. Next step: handling Kas at Pit Ed class!

L-R: Tim, Poppy, Jimmy, Kasbah (on the barrel)