Tatum

Every weekend my sister and I volunteer at the Arizona Animal Welfare League and have been doing this for about 4 months or so.

It was a rough start volunteering there. Not being around dogs all the time and the ones I am around have happy homes. So it was a little bit of a rough adjustment to get used to them being in the shelter life. With much guidance and reassurance, sister convinced me to continue going. This was a really good choice and I silently thank her every week :).

There was this little pup that I was going to take home this week that needed medical fostering. I figured after a few days of rest from surgery, it would be okay to bring her home. I find out Wednesday it would not work out that way. It is okay though, bless her little heart <3.

I think that was a blessing in disguise in many ways.

On our last walk of the day, we checked the sign out sheet for the pups to see who needed to go before it was too hot. I see that there is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that is kenneled with another terrier. I figure okay, I did this doggleganger thing last week (http://www.doggelganger.co.nz/) that sister posted a link to and this was the dog that they paired me with, let's take this pup for a walk.

So I walk to the interior of the kennels and am looking for this stocky dog, maybe to the height of my knee...

Oh no. This is not the case. Tatum the Staffie Bull, is a 7 month old brindle, spotted pup of cuteness doom.

Really.

Heart. Melt. *tear*

We went for our little walky walk. She stayed by my side the whole time. If she went forward a little, she would look back to me for approval. She would turn and check if I was there. walk walk walk. turn. check. walk walk walk. turn. check. (Slowly she is killing me with her cuteness).

We get back to the shelter and go to a yard. We hang, she has some water, a cookie, a little lay down. All she wanted was some love and of course, to cool down. We hang out for about 20 minutes. I had decided during this time she was coming home with me. With such a sweet disposition and how mellow she is, it is a sure thing she and the cats would get along (of course, fingers crossed the whole time).

Back to the kennel we go. And off I go to talk to read her file to see what she is all about.

After reading her file, I don't think I will ever know why she was surrendered! )It may be the stinky puppy farts though.. She is kind of killing me right now.. but that means it is almost time to poop!)

But I like to think that she was surrendered so she can live in her happy forever home with Autum, Simon, myself and of course Nick, who will meet her in a few weeks. (That was kind of a surprise to him. Hee hee.. Good thing he loves me!!)

Paperwork filed, lots of goodies bought: New bed, a kong, a kong wubba, a ball (that she has no interest so far) bowls, puppy food, treats, a toothbrush and toothpaste, more treats, baby gate and doggie wipes.. She is in her home.

She is adjusting well with Autum as is Autum with her. Simon.. he is very unsure about the whole situation. He will come around though. Tatum is very inquizative about the cats but will stay right next to me so I can reassure her it is alright and that it will be okay.

Autum came out while she was on the couch and she (Tatum) went to the end of the couch and was kind of doing this growling/purring thing to let me know that Autum was there.

I got up to go say hi to Autum and Tatum immediately got into her bed and watched. (She is SUCH a good girl and SO smart) Autum was okay with that and followed me into the bathroom and got on the counter. Once she was up, I invited Tatum in to say hello. She reached up so she could see Autum on the counter and let out a little wimper. Autum just looked at her while I pet her on the counter and was like.. "Okay.. She is staying and I guess I will be okay with it." Autum jumped off the counter and went into the other room. Tatum didn't chase her at all! I was so impressed.

Now if Simon the agoraphobic cat will come out and be a nice boy, I think we will all get along.

Tatum is on the couch between my leg and the back cushion right now sleeping her little heart out and Autum is laying on the floor by the screen door.

Same room = Good Start :P

I figured it was a good idea to get a little bit of knowledge on my new kid. So I looked up some information and some photos. Looks like she is Staffie Bull and Jack Russell. She isn't going to get much bigger than 20 to 25 lbs and she is already 20 lbs. Good size for us all... because of course.. We all need to fit in the bed together for snuggle times!

I made a really good choice today. Not only did I introduce someone new to the family, I made room for another life to be saved. This makes me tear up. I am very blessed to be able to be here to save a life and I am very grateful for the opportunity :).  And of course.. Dougal the Smartest Pup in the World needs a cousin!

YAY!

Go Tatum the Super Pup!