The puppy who adopted US
We went to a Caribbean island and fell in love.
Twice.
In 2010 it was with each other. In 2015 it was with an incredibly affectionate canine, who duplicated our kismet. Last night -- less than two weeks after she was turned in to the Cayman Islands Humane Society on Easter Sunday -- spent her first night in her new home in Sudbury.
Rachel and I have made a recent habit of visiting dog shelters during our near-annual visits to Caribbean islands. In 2010 our eyes opened to the plight of "potcakes" in the Turks and Caicos and we've had an affinity for island strays since.
Last spring we considered adopting a kind dog from St. Martin but the timing didn't work and the dog was eventually adopted to an older woman on the island.
This year we had no intention of meeting a forever dog on Grand Cayman. But fate didn't care what we intended. Or more accurately: a medium-sized black and white dog didn't care.
Monday night we return to our villa to find a local stray lounging in the parking area. He comes to greet us and we later provide him water and food. He spends a while longing to get into the villa and napping on the landing before vanishing. We never saw him again.
Tuesday afternoon we visit the Cayman Islands Humane Society and learn that volunteers are needed to walk the residents of the overcrowded facility.
Wednesday morning we return and are introduced to Meera and Pippo. We take them down the street to the fenced in play area, and Meera runs, plays, responds, snuggles and kisses. Pippo has been separated from his human family and is awaiting a trip to Switzerland. Our second pair are Jaime and Cersei. We learn that Jaime was stuck in a trap and Cersei stayed by his side until he was rescued. They are playful and calm.
Wednesday afternoon we visit a local supermarket to collect items on the shelter's wish list. We had shipped three large boxes from Sudbury to St. Martin in 2014, so we figured this time we would save some postage.
Thursday morning we stopped at the shelter after a somber drive when Rachel said she didn't want to walk any dogs because of how sad it would be to leave them. We cursorily discussed the reality of adopting a fourth dog, but focus on our delivery. Upon seeing how much we had collected to donate, the shelter's wonderful manager -- wonderfully named Jason, of course -- asked to take a photo of us with all the items. As we crouched with the cleaning supplies, toys and dog food, Jason indicated that a dog should join us for the photo.
And out she came. The dog that Rachel couldn't walk because it would be too sad to say goodbye. Who of the more than 20 dogs at the shelter was the one chosen for the photo. Who didn't give us a choice, especially when Jason asked if we wanted to walk her again and Rachel looked at me. Knowing that I did want to walk her, and acknowledged that we would.
So we took her to the park with another dog. Over the next 30 minutes we played with her again, sat with her on the floor of the shelter and decided -- or so we thought -- to adopt her. In reality, she adopted us.
Yesterday I drove to JFK Airport where she had flown (along with 11 other dogs) under the care of a lovely volunteer named Fiona. Our new family member climbed into the back seat, lathered me with a few kisses and mostly slept as we made the cannonball run back to Sudbury.
Upon arrival just after 2 am, she met her new brothers and her new sister, explored her new house and backyard and after an hour of wrestling with Caico, settled in for some much needed rest.
Welcome to the family, Dublin! Thank you for adopting us.
Monday night we return to our villa to find a local stray lounging in the parking area. He comes to greet us and we later provide him water and food. He spends a while longing to get into the villa and napping on the landing before vanishing. We never saw him again.
Tuesday afternoon we visit the Cayman Islands Humane Society and learn that volunteers are needed to walk the residents of the overcrowded facility.
Wednesday morning we return and are introduced to Meera and Pippo. We take them down the street to the fenced in play area, and Meera runs, plays, responds, snuggles and kisses. Pippo has been separated from his human family and is awaiting a trip to Switzerland. Our second pair are Jaime and Cersei. We learn that Jaime was stuck in a trap and Cersei stayed by his side until he was rescued. They are playful and calm.Wednesday afternoon we visit a local supermarket to collect items on the shelter's wish list. We had shipped three large boxes from Sudbury to St. Martin in 2014, so we figured this time we would save some postage.
Thursday morning we stopped at the shelter after a somber drive when Rachel said she didn't want to walk any dogs because of how sad it would be to leave them. We cursorily discussed the reality of adopting a fourth dog, but focus on our delivery. Upon seeing how much we had collected to donate, the shelter's wonderful manager -- wonderfully named Jason, of course -- asked to take a photo of us with all the items. As we crouched with the cleaning supplies, toys and dog food, Jason indicated that a dog should join us for the photo.
And out she came. The dog that Rachel couldn't walk because it would be too sad to say goodbye. Who of the more than 20 dogs at the shelter was the one chosen for the photo. Who didn't give us a choice, especially when Jason asked if we wanted to walk her again and Rachel looked at me. Knowing that I did want to walk her, and acknowledged that we would.So we took her to the park with another dog. Over the next 30 minutes we played with her again, sat with her on the floor of the shelter and decided -- or so we thought -- to adopt her. In reality, she adopted us.
Yesterday I drove to JFK Airport where she had flown (along with 11 other dogs) under the care of a lovely volunteer named Fiona. Our new family member climbed into the back seat, lathered me with a few kisses and mostly slept as we made the cannonball run back to Sudbury.
Upon arrival just after 2 am, she met her new brothers and her new sister, explored her new house and backyard and after an hour of wrestling with Caico, settled in for some much needed rest.
Welcome to the family, Dublin! Thank you for adopting us.
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