Peanut Butter and Nelly

The joys, wins, frustrations, tears, saliva, dirt, poop, puke, love, kindness and finally acceptance of welcoming a dog home.

December 19th I received an email from a shelter that I love and support. The request was to temporarily open my home to a homeless pet. "Can you give one of these dogs a break from the shelter over the holidays?" Imagine dogs dressed in sweaters smiling bright straight at the camera. They were looking into my eyes! How could anyone possibly say no? I did have the following two weeks off from work, it was getting cold outside, why not?! I made the appointment and ever confidently marched into the shelter! By marched into, I mean, I rang a bell, patiently waited outside to meet the new love of my next two weeks, and went to the play yard. If you’re unfamiliar with the rising Covid numbers in LA, please check it out here.

Nelly wasn’t the first dog I met, and Nelly wasn’t her name when we were introduced. After meeting, I immediately knew this long legged goofy runs into everything animal was never going to relate to YULE, so she became Nelly. 

At home, after the bath and relax Nelly went wild. Totally untamed. She tore through every one of my new fuzzy blankets, ate my slippers, dug in my house, peed on my floor in 3 different spots and pooped inside while staring into my eyes. I was frozen into stillness. What the f s a b have I done? 

I immediately emailed the lovely coordinator who had convinced me into this madness and told her that unfortunately, this dog was way too big for my apartment, “she must go back!” I had to wait two days to return her and thank the God Dog for that. After ten walks a day she learned that peeing is for the outside, as is the much smellier version of potty she had done on kitchen floor. She somehow realized that really soft fuzzy things are much more comfortable to lay on than to eat and that it’s actually fun to sleep past 4am.

The thunderstorm

Nelly had taken to sleeping in the living room but on our 4th or 5th night I woke to the house shaking and creaking from the thunder outside. The rain pelted the windows and I was in absolute heaven. Before I realized/remembered Nelly was still in my house I heard a thunk, a slide and a pounding as this 70 pound dog came running into my room. She was whining and I allowed (she jumped without hesitation) her to join me on my bed. She snuggled close the entire night, and that’s when I knew. She’d be with me longer than the holidays.

Beach Day

Since the thunderstorm we've started taking 7am daily hikes, we've gone to the beach together, you should've been there! When her feet hit the sand her entire body followed, she dug and twisted and ran so fast into the water she didn't realize she was scared of it until we wiped out! She's had multiple lavender showers and once watched me take a bath so long I covered her in the bubbles. I have her collection of sticks outside my front porch, I often think she prefers them to her toys that she murders.

ADOPTION

This morning I took Nelly back to the shelter. A couple was interested in meeting her and as I knew would happen, they fell in love. Tonight marks our last night together, and as you read this tomorrow she will be heading to her new home, with her own backyard and hiking trails in the neighborhood. My heart is full and empty at the same time. I am so grateful to have spent the last month with this larger than life bundle of joy yet I am so saddened that she will be leaving tomorrow. While I feel sadness I picture her new family buying her treats and toys and a really big bed to plop into upon arrival. They are excited and full of joy, and that idea fills me with with the same joy.

I know we found each other for a reason and I will rest my heart in that. She has helped me so much, she's gotten me moving again, gotten me laughing again, and most importantly, she gave me all the kisses and all of the love her heart had to give. It's been awhile since I've felt that kind of love. To you Ms. Nelly, your new parents, and the entire staff at BFLA, thank you, thank you so much.