Mighty Andrew and Delightful Dolly

Carol and I were off for another transport yesterday, Saturday, April 28th. We anxiously awaited the arrival of three dogs from Ohio. And we waited, and we waited. Finally, I called one of the drivers who was bringing the dogs to us, and he told me the run had been delayed. They were about to leave and would arrive about an hour later. We took advantage of this extra time, and went to Subway to get a quick bite to eat, and use their bathroom. Ah, the bathroom. So much more important these days! But I digress.

Finally, Andrew, Dolly and Woody arrived. Woody was picked up by his forever family right then and there. Andrew and Dolly were coming with us.

Andrew, 52 pounds of solid muscle, in the form of a terrier mix, was a super dog, but unruly on the leash. Well, and he thought he could drive, but I'll get to that. And he was not at all interested in performing his bathroom duties, despite several types of encouragement. I managed to keep my arm in its socket while walking him, and after pausing for a brief belly rub, Andrew bounded happily into the back of my car.

Dolly, a 5-year old Collie mix, was found as a stray in Marietta, Ohio, and is the sweetest dog. But her fur was terribly matted, which you'll notice in her pictures. But gotta love her punk hairdo! You go girl!


Dolly, being the delightful dog she is, performed her duty in the grass (would that make a good movie title? "Duty in the Grass". Wait! I'm thinking of "Splendor in the Grass". Oh swell, now I'm showing my age!). She took a brief walk with Carol, we loaded her in the car, and bid the transport driver a fond farewell, after he handed me the paperwork on both dogs.

By the time I turned around, Carol was already in the passenger seat, Dolly was comfortable in the backseat, and Andrew was prepared to chauffeur, as he proudly perched in the driver's seat. Carol was too busy laughing to be much help, not that it mattered, as there was no way the two of us could have heaved him to the backseat, so my only choice was to remove him from the car, and reload him. I coaxed him out of the car, and invited him into the backseat again. He obliged. But it was clear he was determined to be in the driver's seat, so I slammed the back door shut and madly whirled around to try to beat him to the front seat. I jumped in and won the race - barely. But I was so proud. Andrew, it turned out, didn't care he'd lost, as he simply rested his big head on the console between the front seats, and settled down to enjoy head scratches from Carol, while I drove the car. We started our trek to the final destination.

Our drive was uneventful from our viewpoint. Not sure it was from Dolly's point-of-view, as Andrew sprawled across most of the backseat. But Dolly, being the good-natured girl she is, made the sacrifice for the hour-long drive.

Andrew's foster mother, Michelle, was there to meet him. I reluctantly handed him over, as I was concerned he might pull her slightly-built frame over, but Michelle told me she has a 80-pound dog at home, so I relaxed and let him go. The last I saw of Andrew, he was driving Michelle home.

Dolly was so fortunate to be meeting her forever mommy, Kate, for the very first time. And I think they hit it off, don't you? Kate had knelt down to greet Dolly, and Dolly was so happy to meet her, that she pushed forward to give her new mommy a kiss, and knocked Kate back onto her butt. Kate didn't seem to mind, and Dolly was happy 'cause it was much easier to give Kate kisses.

We told Dolly she needed to be sure to get along with her new Sheltie brother who would greet her once she arrived at her new forever home. Dolly blinked, and I knew, without a doubt, that they'd be the best of friends in no time.