You know how it is when you’re not at all in the market for another dog, but you’ve decided to go to a Farmer’s Market on the other side of the island (or wherever), and lo and behold, a rescue organization is doing an adoption outreach event in which volunteers are walking around with a bunch of precious four-month-old puppies, and one of those puppies is the dog of your dreams?
Welp, it happened to me last weekend. We’d gone to Waimea for a long-weekend celebration of Hans’s 70th birthday. We did another horse-riding excursion, this one totally different than the last. We went snorkeling. We tried out several new-to-us restaurants.
The Saturday Market was just a “filler” activity to keep us busy until time for the snorkeling trip. But you know how it is when the Universe hands you an amazing gift you weren’t even looking for? It almost always happens when several serendipitous dominoes just happen to fall in the exact right way to plunk you down in the right place at the right time.
I tried to ignore this precious little dog. I really did. Her handler was taking her and her companion puppy around the crowd, stopping to visit with anyone who showed an interest. If anyone other than me wanted to adopt this little girl, I wanted them to have every opportunity to do it, and the sooner the better. The boy she was making the rounds with was a flashy little fellow, cute, bubbly, and gregarious. She, on the other hand, sat quietly back and waited for her turn to be noticed. (Noted: Not an attention hog.)
In addition to the six-or-so puppies from the rescue organization, a dozen other dogs were on-leash, browsing the shops with their human companions. Whenever any of those dogs approached the puppy of my dreams, she was shy and submissive, but not reactive. She’d sit behind her handler until she felt comfortable meeting another dog, and if they got too nosy, she’d back up but not bark or snap or show any fear. (Noted: Calm around other dogs, submissive but not intimidated.)
Welp, we wandered around that Farmer’s Market for two hours, and the calm puppy’s flashy companion got adopted and went home with his new people. Her handler stopped to chat with someone, and the puppy laid down and dozed. (Noted: Patient, not determined to charge off and get into mischief when she gets bored.)
So, as all this is happening, I’m thinking that even though I’m not in the market for a new dog—let alone a puppy with all the chewing and potty training that will have to happen—our dog dynamic has changed since we moved here, and our youngest dog Pearl needs a buddy to rip and run with.
Fred, our balletic pool-diving and ball-playing Bassett mix, didn’t live long enough to come here. He was old, and we hoped he could come and at least enjoy a year or two on the Island, but his organs just gave out, and we had to let him go.
Truman, our old crazy deaf / half-blind / emotionally traumatized Catahoula, had become so reactive that he was a danger to himself and others. His already diminished eyesight was failing even further, and any movement or shift in lighting looked like a scary shadow looming over him, so he started snapping at anyone who came too close. It broke our hearts, but we had to help him cross the Rainbow Bridge before he hurt someone.
So, we made it here with only three dogs, which for us is a record-low number. Jed, our Lab-mix is IDK, eleven or twelve, and totally over any desire to run or play or chase the ball (which I think he can’t really see anymore). He just wants to nap in the sun, go for walks, eat his food, sit for treats, and get belly rubs throughout the day, but especially before getting tucked in for the night. Georgia is nine years old, still a big ballplayer until she gets tired, and then she’ll hog the ball and dare anyone to take it from her. Pearl is only three years old, and she has never had another dog of her size and energy level to rip and snort with. She tries to play with the cats, but they’re too mercurial. They’ll run and play—or toss themselves against her for an unasked-for cuddle—then slap her in the face for no reason.
I spent a couple of hours debating with myself and justifying my reasons, then decided to bite the bullet. I petted the puppy. And OMG, her fur is SO SOFT. And she is even sweeter than I knew she’d be. I was sunk. But I had to let Hans make the decision (or be the meanie, if that was required, because honestly, I can’t always trust myself). So, I found him and dragged him over, and I said, “I really want this puppy.” (Subtext, please help me resist getting this puppy.) His reply: “I don’t know why you’re asking me, because you’re gonna do what you want to do.” (Subtext, I love this puppy too! I knew we needed another dog, and she’s perfect. I can’t wait to bring her home!)
So here she is, a new Hawaiian dog with a Hawaiian name: Kailani = sea and sky. And in case I forget how to pronounce her name, I add the word Noni in front, because Noni = beautiful. So, she is Nani-Kailani, beautiful sea and sky. I told Pearl (telepathically don’t you know) on our way home that we were bringing her a little sister. And little sister Nani-Kailani is a perfect fit for our family.
Sometimes the Universe brings us gifts we weren’t asking for or even knew we wanted. And when it does, and it feels right even though it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, it’s good to say yes, thank you.
