Double-Dog-Dare

We went into quarantine with two dogs and came out with four. Actually, there's more to the story than that.

In December 2019, just before the pandemic, my wife Susan and I began rescuing and fostering dogs. We had two of our own, both rescues, Dino, our standard poodle mix, and Daisy, our beloved Bichon Frise whose health was in decline.

Susan immediately bonded with our first foster, Lucy, a dachshund-Jack Russell mix. With Daisy in the end stages of her life, the decision to adopt Lucy was an easy one. She helped with our grief and continues to be a vibrant spark in our home. We've nicknamed Lucy the "Mayor" because she routinely checks on the welfare of her packmates and she loves peace and order.

Over the next 18 months, we fostered more than a dozen dogs and helped them find new homes. There was Hopie. We named her for a combination of "happy" and "hope." A gentle, curious, loving pup, she came from dire conditions in rural southern Missouri only to find a happy home with two new packmates of her own.

Then there was the delightful Milly with the impossible giant ears who may have been another foster-fail for us if our inn wasn't already full. Thankfully, she was adopted by my niece, so we visit and sometimes dog-sit her.

Most recently, we welcomed Marion, a Staffordshire terrier mix, and her four puppies into our home. Marion's puppies, two males and two females were adopted before her, as often happens. Some many people want puppies and hers were smart, strong, and beautiful.

This was fortunate for us because we had a few weeks to get to know Marion not as a mom, but as a wonderful dog in her own right. Once Marion cleared her wellness check, she immediately integrated herself into the pack, especially with Dino and Roy. She quickly became a strong, benign alpha, leading active play with both boys, especially Dino. Marion brought new energy into his life. Marion would have easily been another foster-fail if not for our already full house. But Marion ended up where she was supposed to, as have all our foster dogs, with wonderful, loving families.

Those were just three of the dogs we fostered and placed during the pandemic. But there were two more who came to stay.

Roy, a Mastiff mix, was found in rural Tennessee dragging a useless leg filled with buckshot. After surgery to remove the leg, he was flown to our rescue location where we first tried to foster and find him a home, but for a variety of reasons, Roy's best place was with us. You can read more about Roy's story elsewhere on Vocal.

We adopted LuLu because there were few if any other takers. An older Shih Tzu, Lulu had a variety of medical problems, including a weak heart. We were told she'd likely live six months or less. As I'm writing this, I'm happy to report that LuLu has been with us for more than two years.

So we became a pack of six -- Susan, me, and our four dogs. Someone recently asked me, "Four dogs? Isn't that a lot of work?"

"Yes," I replied, "And it's a lot of love."

These four dogs brighten our bad days and celebrate the good ones with us. And they help me remain calm and find balance in a tumultuous world.

All of our fosters and our own dogs have brought so much joy and comfort to my life. I've learned from each of them and continue to learn every day. They've taught me about generosity, patience, loyalty, and love.

I wrote this short poem about one of my particular happy places, on the couch in the evening, after work and supper, between our two big males, Dino and Roy. I think it might be their happy place too.

DOUBLE-DOG-DARE

I dare you

To sit between

Two snoring dogs

And try to stay awake.

I'm grateful we found our pack. May you find your pack. And with your pack, may you find peace.