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I come
from a family who seems to attract animals in need, my mother and
grandmother have always taken in the weary, unwanted, and sometimes
sick animals that cross their path so I come by my animals the same
way. Trust me they find me ...
Our latest addition is our dog Windigo. We went to the SPCA in Aylmer
Quebec to first adopt a cat or kitten. On the way there my daughter,
who had memorized every pet available from their website (future
animal adopter) started talking about the dogs. "Hmmmmm I'm thinking
she had ulterior motives here ..." When we arrived we all looked at
the cats and kittens but my daughter wandered off with one of the
staff to the dogs and I can hear her naming off all the dogs and their
descriptions to the employee who was duly impressed. The rest of the
family followed. After some family huddle time we decided we would
get a dog.
 The
first dog my daughter was eyeing up was not suitable for our family as
the staff pointed out he had issues like eating fingers of children
... ok then, next ... we all gathered round the lab puppies. "Hmmm
I'm not sure if I'm up for the puppy challenge"; I was holding out.
Then my husband called us over to a lab pittie mix that was a year and
half old. I could tell he was smitten. The wonderful lady that was
so patient with us immediately was gushing about Windigo. She told us
he had a kind soul and just needed a chance. He was suffering from
what I call kennel depression and did not show well; also he was a
black pittie mix, another strike against him. The staff liked him so
much they routinely took him out and let him lie down with them in the
office during the day to help ease his depression.
So at this point I was falling for him, his eyes spoke volumes about
him so we decided to take him for a walk. Ohhh boy disaster!! This
poor boy had never been on a leash and the fact we were paying
 attention
to him, he was beside himself. He was pulling, jumping and all over
us, basically the crazy dog.
The kids were not sure now and I was wondering myself ... my husband
stood strong, this was the one. We came back in and described his
behaviour so the staff said just wait and see what he's really like,
he will calm down. So after about 45 minutes of petting and showering
him with affection, he laid down on his mat and let the kids love him
to bits very calmly.
So after an hour and half visit and the help of the wonderful and
understanding staff at the SPCA, we came home with Windigo. We have
never regretted it. He still needed some manners but he's almost
there. I recently became ill and have been off work for awhile; this
bundle of activity has become my cuddle bug when I have bad days and
need lots of bed rest. Being true to his two breeds he loves his
people and shows no aggression towards people or other animals. I
will be enrolling him in some training and perhaps in time I would
like to see if he can be a therapy dog; he
 certainly
has the temperament for it. Windy enjoys walks in the bush lot by our
home and we often hide on him and he likes to track us down by
scent, it's amazing to see. So here is our silly loveable boy Windy.
I also need to mention again how kind and understanding the staff at
the Aylmer SPCA were in guiding us around the facilities.
Listening to us try and figure out what we wanted ... when I think
back I have to scratch my head and wonder what she was thinking about
us ... lol Thanks Again!!
Sonia
and Family
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