… has taken me on an internet tour of most canine adoption and rescue centres both locally and nationally in Scotland.
This search has given me intense feelings of joy and, sometimes, of sadness. It pains me to see how many beautiful animals have been discarded in severe states of neglect by their owners but I feel encouraged by the many agencies which exist to pick up the pieces.
My search began because, for the first time in my life, I feel that I could handle the responsibility of owning a pet and giving it a real home. I thank my lucky stars that I never took on this responsibility when I was drinking. Although I was mentally susceptible to having a companion of any kind, I never succumbed to the temptation of bringing an animal into my life. So, my search continues. I’m in no hurry. Its one of those things that will happen when its meant to.
Finding a pet to share my home is no spur of the moment decision. Love at first sight or ” I want it ” doesn’t come into the process at all. I have to think about practicalities and what will be best for my dog as well as myself, and the first step for me was to obtain permission from my landlord ( housing association ) to keep a dog on their premises. Thankfully I was granted permission to keep a small sized dog.
No problem now then ? There are always problems but just as many solutions.
My next step will be to save up some money which I can make available when the right dog makes their self known to me. Gone are the days when dogs were passed around like worthless chattels to be ill treated and misused, thank goodness. Although it doesn’t work in my favour, I’m pleased to see these charges which will deter unsuitable owners.
One thing that has worried me a bit on my internet excursions is the large amount of Staffordshire Bull Terriers waiting to be rehomed. Because I’m unused to looking at these pages , maybe its a seasonal thing. They are lovely dogs. My step-daughter and family have one and they have brought up 4 children whilst bringing up the dog, without a single incident. I saw her ( the dog ) recently after a period of five years had passed and I swear that she remembered me. Unfortunately, I can’t have one here, but they are not a breed to be overlooked by anyone looking for a gentle and loyal, if occasionally boisterous, companion.
I’m not a big Facebook fan or user but I have joined a few groups which are dedicated to owners of the breed I am fond of.
I must also mention that, most days I don’t feel 100% well within myself, and don’t particularly look forward to dragging myself through another period of waking hours. However, when I view the posts of other members’ dogs and the videos, I suddenly find myself grinning, cheshire cat fashion, having forgotten all my trials and tribulations. Maybe Facebook isn’t so bad after all.
Meanwhile, I’ll continue to browse, before continuing my journey in the real world to meet a few of the characters who are looking for a new home and to see if that vital connection can be made. I’ll post my progress here.
more to come…
Many Christmases were ruined by alcohol and not always the alcohol inside me. In my early years, before alcohol became a feature in my life, most Christmases were spent in abject misery, amid raised voices and worse from downstairs, as my parents tried to sort out their drink fueled differences. Presents lay, still unopened, with the joy of opening them having having been rendered null and void and dinner was often late and hastily prepared, by which time, the hunger and anticipation had been replaced by anxiety and nervousness and fear of a return to hostilities.
An Ex Drunk's View From The Driving Seat 