I remember when I first set eyes on Haileymack. I was at the Austin Animal Rescue (through NO fault of my own) and had just been introduced to my kennel mate. She was a little depressed and scared. Maybe that’s why I was rooming with her since I’m full of energy, and happiness explodes from every pore of my furry body.
Anyway, here I was in this kennel. While this wasn’t my idea of living, I was happy to have a friend and one solid meal a day. I was born on the streets and had to fight for my meals and existence.
Somewhere in my history – this was never clear – I was rescued and adopted by a very nice family. I was just a puppy at the time and don’t remember much except that I think they then had their own human puppy and ~it’s possible~ I didn’t quite understand this unfurry puppy. Either way the family decided they could only have one puppy and they chose the unfurry one.
To this day I can’t understand humans. For instance, they keep a pantry full of food and they don’t devour it in one sitting!
What??? I can cook up a feast in no time. Just give me a grill and some meat and we are in heaven.
Sorry, I salivate and digress.
So this is how I ended up at the animal rescue, with a depressed dog that needed a lot of love and attention. I played with her and gave her piles of love. We even had daily therapy sessions in which I would help build her confidence and self-esteem. I hope she is doing well.
The same day that I become eligible for finding my forever family (they hold us pups for a while to check us out or something like that) this girl walks in with her Mamma. She looked like she needed rescuing it. It was quite clear that she needed ME.
AND she brought a toy for me to destroy. She started playing with me and gave me the toy. Naturally I had to impress her and show her my destructive capabilities. I had the stuffing removed and the squeaker destroyed in less than two minutes. While that might sound impressive, it’s not my best time.
I believe my destructive capabilities frightened Mamma Skeksy, but I knew immediately I had connected with Haileymack. It was love at first sight.
Then I gave Mamma Skeksy my best devious-but-sweet-smile and was sure I won her over. You can see my emotional power in the photo.
However, I still sensed hesitation. So they took me for a walk to the open area where we played fetch.
Let me say I can out-fetch any dog, anywhere, any day. I will fetch until I can barely lift a paw. So once again I totally impressed them.
As we walked back to my kennel and past the other kennels I was very careful not to bark or react to my friends jumping and barking. I held my own and let the other dogs know there is hope – you can find a human to save – but you have to be patient and put your best paw forward. There are thousands upon thousands of humans that need our love and attention.
As we were approaching my kennel, I shot a few loving looks (I have this mastered) to a human couple also looking for a wonderful pup, just to spur up interest. (A little competition always speeds the process.)
Haileymack noticed. And this couple requested to see me next. So the game was on and I knew I belonged with Haileymack. And Mamma Skeksy saw the immediate love.
Haileymack put a “24 hour hold” on me, meaning she reserved the right to adopt me. What a long wait!
That night I went to sleep dreaming of stuffed toys I could destroy, faces I could lick, balls I could fetch and the immense love I could shower on Haileymack and her pack. My dreams were beyond happy because I was sure I had found my forever home with the most amazing human.
The next morning I woke up looking for my Haileymack. But she wasn’t there. I had breakfast (truthfully breakfast is my one and only meal of the day) after which my kennel mate and I worked on our morning therapy session, practicing smiles, tail wags, friendly licks and more.
About mid-morning, Haileymack and her pack of humans arrived! There were FOUR humans. That meant EIGHT HANDS TO RUB MY BELLY!!! And they all were so wonderful and nice. They took me for a walk and I approved all four humans.
We arrived at my home (yes it”s mine) and I took a self-guided tour. I sniffed through every corner of every room. I left no area untouched. Mamma Skeksy and Haileymack both had a lot of stuffed animals I could destroy (not to mention shoes and purses) but I have good manners and didn’t chew on anything that was not given to me.
I will say that Haileymack (and her pack) blossomed after I joined the household. Clearly they could not have survived without me. I brought love and joy and long walks and most of all – BELLY RUBS!! Who doesn’t love to rub my belly?
NOTE: Haileymack and her pack may think they rescued me. But let’s set the record straight. We all know who rescued whom.