I knew Moose had been in boarding for a long time, but Silas had been there even longer... I guess not surprisingly - he's half blind with cataracts and a little hard of hearing like most "old folks". But, even in the midst of being in love at first sight with Moose and as excited as I was about adopting him, there was something about this other little guy that tugged at my heartstrings. So, I told Donna I wanted Moose to have a month to adjust to his new home, my old Brittany, Webster and me and then I wanted to foster Silas.
The month flew by and almost to the day, Donna showed up with Silas in tow. He wasn't timid, but seemed a little sad as if he was waiting for the other shoe to drop and it would be back to the boarding kennel.
So, the first thing I did even though I was warned he'd been called Silas for over a year, was give him a new name: Mr. Magoo. Next he had a week to adjust some and then I took him to my groomer for a "makeover". I couldn't believe it when I saw him - the transformation was remarkable! (See for yourself in the pictures) When I picked him up, he LOOKED like a different dog, but when we got home and he walked back in the house, he BECAME a different dog.
It was as if a light bulb switched on and he realized that he was truly coming... HOME! And that night, he decided he wanted to sleep with me in the big bed... A pattern that hasn't changed. He began playing with the other dogs - in earnest - like three puppies! The years melted away and so he decided that the squirrels stealing acorns from our oak trees needed a sheriff and elected himself.
The months passed and the bond between the three boys grew ever stronger as they became a pack - a family. How could I possibly break up our family? In truth, I just couldn't bear to part with him, so I adopted my foster dog today. And, just as we celebrate October 28th, which is Webster's birthday, from now on we'll celebrate April 22nd as Moose's birthday and November 21st as Magoo's.
There's no denying that puppies are cute, sweet and funny... But, my wish for everyone reading this is that someday you have the opportunity to experience the joy and unconditional love of an older dog as I do every day when I see him chasing squirrels, playing tug and every night when Magoo lays his head on my shoulder and sighs in contentment.
The first picture is "Silas" - the next pictures are Mr. Magoo, handsome, happy and SECURE with his brothers, Webster & Moose.
