Hello, my name is Maddie... Dec 16, 2009
My name is Maddie and welcome to my blog. I am a health nut, lover of the earth and dedicated mom of a 4-year-old German Shorthair Pointer named Toby. I thought as a good introduction to my blog I would tell you how Toby came to be mine.
I grew up with dogs; there was never a time in my life when my family didn’t have one. From a 105 lb. Golden Retriever to a human-like English Springer Spaniel, our dogs were always members of the family. However, my dog life changed drastically when I moved to San Francisco after college. Living in a shoe box apartment, paying too much to basically breathe and having little access to the outdoors, life wasn’t set up too well to have a dog. So, I bit the bullet and became resigned to the fact that I would have to put my status as a dog owner on hold.
Seven years later, and still feeling I had an empty place in my heart, I started to try to fill this hole with other, more city friendly creatures. I tried a bird, a great pet for someone I’m sure, but definitely not my style. I tried a lizard, it looked at me funny and made me uncomfortable. I tried a hamster, even managed to potty train him and teach him his name. But still, I just wasn’t feeling it.
That was when I decided I would make my life work for a dog. I moved out of the city into the burbs, allowing for more dog parks and backyards. I located a doggy day care since I would be a working dog mom. I researched dog friendly 5Ks and running trails as my dog would need exercise. When I decided my life was ready, I began the hunt.
I knew I wanted to adopt a dog from a shelter, rather than from a breeder. There are so many great dogs in need of a home and I was ready to provide one. I became an online stalker of the new arrivals page of the Tri-Valley SPCA, scouring the pages, looking for the right one. My weekends were spent visiting the various SPCA dogs, searching for my new “prince charming.” Each time I would find a “good dog,” not a great dog. But, my need to fill the dog space in my heart was great and each good dog almost came home with me.
There were two things that stopped me, my now ex-boyfriend’s (let's call him "Steve") level headedness and one of the volunteers at the SPCA. These volunteers help guide you through the adoption process and ascertain which dogs are right for each owner and vice-a-versa. Each time I would find a “good dog,” I would look up at my ex-boyfriend and the volunteer with hope in my eyes only to be greeted with the reality this dog was not the one. I couldn’t see it, blinded by the need to have a dog, but they could. And, I thank them for it.
This went on for about 15 months, I was getting pretty discouraged and I’m sure the SPCA was getting fairly tired of seeing dogless me. I remember the day that I saw him. I was purusing the SPCA site on my lunch and saw this scrawny, beat up, pathetic looking German Shorthair. They had him listed as “Davy” on the site and around 1.5 years old. I don’t know what it was that caused me to do it but I called "Steve" up and said he had to go down to the SPCA immediately and check out the dog. He obliged and called me back stating that this was a great dog that I needed to see.
We raced down to the SPCA after work, only to be greeted by the volunteer who had helped me not get a dog so many times. We rounded the corner and approached “Davy’s” cage. It was love at first site. In the cage was an emaciated dog, only 35 lbs when he should have been 75. He had a huge gash over his right eye, but I could see the gorgeous creature for what he should have been. The volunteer lead him out of the cage and into the visitation room. I couldn’t wait to get in there.
After an hour of playing with “Davy,” I knew this was the one. And, when I looked up at my ex and the volunteer I was met with a very different response, one of “Yes, this is your dog.” After signing all of the paperwork and turning over my money, I asked the volunteer why he had been so supportive of my adopting this dog and not the previous possibilities. He stated simply, “Because you wanted THIS dog, not A dog, THIS dog.” And, he was right.
We renamed him Toby and took him home that night. Three and a half years later I don’t have the same boyfriend and I no longer live in the Bay Area, however Toby is still the love of my life. Now a healthy 75 lbs of pure energetic glory he fills my day with love and happiness, wagging his docked tail every time I come in the room. I live my life as a dedicated dog owner and get all of the love he has in return. I couldn’t be happier.
So dear readers, now that you know a little bit about me, here is what you can expect from my blog. I intend to keep it healthy, green and about living life with your dog. I’d love to hear from you and look forward to sharing Toby’s and my experiences. Believe me there will be laughter, love and a lot of dog.
Sara on Jan 20, 2010 10:38am
Maddie, I love your story of coming to find your Toby! I truly feel that finding the right dog is a result of kismet. I found a dog at the shelter that was rag tag and only had one eye, something most pet owners would shy away from...but I instantly felt drawn to him. We continued to run into each other at pet adoption days around town. I knew he was still waiting to be rescued, and it was me he was waiting for. He is now three years old, full of personality and is a complete joy.