As I go through this life trying to manipulate it to my liking, my needs or the needs of my family and friends, I often succeed and on occasion fail miserably. Have you ever envisioned an outcome and you got a completely different one? Well, this is a story of two of those times for me.
If you’ve been reading my blog regularly (and if not please stop reading now and go back and read them all before continuing), I told you about Paddy - my dog of a lifetime. When she was getting older and her mobility was starting to be affected, although I didn’t want to think about the eventually of having to lose her, I took the advice of a friend of mine named Karen. She recommended that I bring in another dog before Paddy died, that way when she died I wouldn’t feel like I was replacing her but I would still have a pet to love. As I am a lifelong dog lover, this idea started to make a certain amount of logical sense. I started scouring the rescue sites and newspapers for dogs that needed a home. We went up to the SPCA in Montereigie and there was one dog Marc liked but I wasn’t sold on her and we came home empty handed.
One day I was reading the newspaper and saw an ad for a pure bred yellow Labrador female, 5 months old named Zoe that had to be sold because the current owners were allergic. I cut out the ad and put it in my wallet and proceeded with my day. We went away to the cottage that weekend and the ad was forgotten. Then the next week, I was taking something from my wallet and saw the folded ad. I presumed she was no longer for sale but something made me make the call and she was still available. I called my husband Marc and asked him if he would come with me to see a dog after work and he said yes. I was surprised he said yes because we already had an elderly dog and cat.
When we arrived at their house, Zoe was behind a baby gate but it wasn’t bolted so she just put her paw on the top and whacked it down and walked out of the kitchen. That should have warned me but I was so taken aback by how cute she was, I didn’t catch on. She came and sat at my feet and looked lovingly at me and that was it. Love at first sight. We agreed to pick her up on Saturday. Her name soon became Zoe Monster because she is a dominant bitch. We took her for training and she turned out to be a wonderful dog. We love her to death but make no mistake - she is the boss.
Poor Paddy dog didn’t know what hit her. Here is this 5 month old puppy jumping on her arthritic back and legs. They never got along but it did bring life back to Paddy and she could stare down Zoe and make her behave. I used to laugh because Paddy would write cheques her body couldn’t cash but Zoe didn’t know it. It was all a head game.
Now here comes the ironic part. I got Zoe to ostensibly replace Paddy and she fell in love with my husband Marc. Dogs give their primary love to one person and it doesn’t have to be the one that cares for them. My dog growing up was a poodle named Pepe and he gave his undying love to my Dad who spent the first night of life with us on the kitchen floor lying beside him because he wouldn’t stop crying. After that night they slept together and Pepe lived for my Dad. It’s not that Zoe doesn’t love me, she does but given the choice, Marc wins hands down every time.
So my beloved Paddy dog goes to doggie heaven and Marc’s cat Java does the same and we are down from three animals to one. It’s weird in the house and Zoe is definitely feeling lonely. She is entirely too quiet for a three year old. When you’ve gone through the ups and mostly downs of elderly pets for a long period of time, you need a little break both emotionally and financially but this passes if you are a true doggie person. I am a dyed in the wool, card carrying member.
We started looking half heartedly for a companion for Zoe. This time we’re going to do it right like Cesar Millan tells us. Get a dog that has a lower energy level than the one you have and the relationship will be positive. Introduce the dog properly and always feed and pet the original dog first. Also, by this time we have our Grandson Rowan and we need to find a dog we can be absolutely sure of its temperament and we don’t want a puppy because we both work full time.
We found a 2 year old yellow Labrador named Serena at Labradale that had to be spayed after her uterus prolapsed (that means it fell out). We went to visit her in Ormstown and brought Zoe with us to see how they interacted. Serena fell in love with me and we took her for a long walk in the meadow. She looked up at me with those big brown soft eyes. Finally I would get a dog of my own since Zoe had given her love to Marc. She was quiet and very calm, we arranged to pick her up in two weeks.
We picked her up on June 14 and we brought her home and did all the good Cesar things to ensure a good introduction. This all went very well until………….we left for work. They were both in their cages. Serena was used to being crated but she suffered tremendously from separation anxiety. Every day when Marc would come home, she would be covered in pee and poop and he would have to carry her to the bathroom and give a 60 pound dog a bath and then proceed to clean the cage. He did this for six weeks. We tried everything; toys in the cage, blankets, King Kongs with cookies in them and soft music but nothing helped. We even videotaped her in the cage to gauge her reactions. We were being helped by Marie at Woofers and also her former owners Liane and Sharon from Labradale and Highcaliber Labradors. We were permitted to return her because she came with a guarantee but we both already loved her and we are not quitters. Finally as our last ditch effort, Marie suggested we change the type of cage from wire to plastic; she loaned us one and that did the trick. But during this process, guess what happened? 
Yes, Serena fell head over heels in love with my husband. Truth be told, it’s more like worship. Since he grew up without being allowed any pets, he’s enjoying himself immensely and given what he went through with Serena he feels totally justified. If the truth be told he prefers dogs to people anyway.
So yes my husband is having an affair of the heart with two beautiful blonds, Zoe and Serena. (You didn’t really think that my husband was really having an affair did you? Or that if he was, I would write about it, give me credit for having some pride)
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What beautiful dogs, and what a beautiful story. I remember sitting up all night with one of our family’s dogs the first night we brought him home. That truly is a bonding experience.
Awesome dogs! They are so pretty. We have 3 labs ourselves, 2 yellows and 1 black mix. I think labs are the best dogs ever. :o)
Oh no, you totally had me thinking your husband had an affair, what with being a new reader to your blog and all. I was kidding with my wife last night about men being Adam’s, the original caretakers of the Garden of Eden, and as such animals are subject and more faithful to us men. We had quite a laugh over that. Then she made me clean the litterbox.
Sad you lost both your dog and cat but nice that you took in two more dogs that needed a forever home. That crate situation was a lot of work! I’d say your husband earned the right to be the doggies favorite after doing all that for 6 weeks! Wow!
Karen, I’m cut to the quick. I anticipated total female support on this one from you. He did work awfully hard but she was supposed to be mine.
Mr. Dilemna, thanks for stopping by. Sounds like you and your wife have a good time together, congratulations! I’m sorry I led you on, but I did get you to read it, eh? Please come back often, I’ll try to behave, no guarantees.
Could your puppies be any more adorable? I just adore labs. I rescued one a while back, but he ran away. He had done this 5 times before from different homes. I hope he’s ok.
Gosh, they’re so cute!
For a second there I thought you meant your husband was having an affair with another woman, scared me so much!
Lauren, you need to get another dog. You did your best for that rescue lab, it’s all any of us can do. Don’t let that experience ruin the fun and enjoyment of having a pet. There is a doggie waiting for you.
Lisette, I was just having a little fun with my readers. I’m glad my husband’s affair is only with our two labradors. I’m quite sure I wouldn’t be so understanding if the blond or brunette had two legs. Have a great day, thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for the kind words Kay. I do already have a Siberian, so Scooby the lab was his personal buddy. I think he misses Scooby the most.
I was sincerely hoping there was no affair, but it was like a car accident, I couldn’t help but keep reading. I feel your pain on the animal love part though. No matter what animal I have, they all end up loving “the man”. It’s okay though, I get used to it eventually.. Great read for a first time visitor to your site!
Nipsy, you’ve put in words exactly the sentiment I was aiming for regarding the car accident. I was being a bit of a tease. Thanks for trying out the site, come back often and bring your friends and family.
LOL! And I really thought he was! Gee… who would write about it indeed with their real photos in their blog?
Anyway, just passing by from agitize…