Lady and Shakespeare

June 6, 2011

My wife, Julia, and I had wanted another dog ever since our 10-year-old golden retriever died suddenly in October 2010. When the SPCA took in a large litter of pit bull puppies and called on volunteers to provide foster homes, we couldn’t say no. We had never considered getting a pit bull to replace our beloved Jake, but fostering one seemed OK. After all, it would just be temporary, right?

When we got a look at the puppies, we could hardly believe how small they were. By holding a couple, we also quickly discovered how affectionate they can be. They weren’t ready to be taken home yet, so we had to go back a couple of weeks later. We wanted two—a male and a female—so they could keep one another company. With about ten excited puppies nipping at our feet, it was hard to choose, especially since they almost all looked alike. Fortunately, two of the pups seemed to choose us. Could they be the same ones we had held before?

The pups had grown and were very lively, but they still looked a little malnourished. You could see their rib cages quite clearly. They were so small, they both fit inside a single cat carrier. They were a little anxious in the car, but the ride seemed to soothe their nerves. The SPCA had given each member of the litter a name for record-keeping purposes. The two we picked were named Darla and Cooter. That was too redneck for our taste. Once we got them home, we gave them new names: Lady and Shakespeare. We introduced them to our kitchen, which would be their new indoor romping ground, and they took right to it.

From the very beginning, they loved to sit on our laps. In the mornings, they ecstatically greeted us by chewing on our toes. Ouch! At first, the hardest thing about fostering was getting up for their potty break at 3 a.m. It was the end of February and still terribly cold at night. Nobody likes to use the bathroom outside when it’s below freezing.

With three regular meals and an afternoon snack, they quickly put on the pounds and went through growing spurts. They know exactly what “brekkie,” “lunch,” “snack,” and “din-din” mean. More than twelve weeks later and at the age of 5 months, they are at least five times larger. They now each have a crate big enough for a full grown pit bull.

They are still teething and have chewed through one of the first toys we got for them, along with one of Jake’s old toys, a comforter, and the padding for one of their crates. Like any kids, they love to get new toys. It keeps things exciting.

They love to play in the water. They took to the doggie pool like ducks to water. Lady loves to chase the stream of water from the garden hose. Shakespeare prefers to drink directly from the hose. Ironically, however, they don’t care much for bath time.

Their basic training is coming along nicely. They have learned to sit, lie down, and stay for short times. We took them to Muttfest, and they got along with the other dogs splendidly. The heat wore them out before it was over. Shakespeare got so tired, I had to carry him back to the car.

After the first week, we had grown so fond of them there was no way we could give them back. So we decided to adopt Lady and Shakespeare. They have been sterilized and now officially belong to us. They take a lot of work, but they give us a lot of joy and laughter. We love them dearly and are proud to call them ours.

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