I have not had a dog since I was in high school (which was a long frikkin time ago!) Having recently gone through one of those Life Transitions, and having just bought myself a house with a fenced yard, the thought has crossed my mind several times that perhaps my solitary life could be augmented by a canine friend. But I never put more than a passing "someday" thought to it.

Last evening, my SO and I were out at a local botanical garden. Unknown to us, it was the once monthly Fidos After 5, and there were lots of people and lots of dogs. The SPCA was also there with adoptable dogs identified by blue bandanas and being walked around by volunteers.

There was one young hound with a blue bandana that caught my eye. My SO and I both noticed her. She's quiet but inquisitive, seems intelligent, medium sized (I'd say about 35lbs), short haired, and very sweet and pretty. We admired her from a distance, and then decided to go meet her.

I talked to the volunteer and I walked her around. She's about a year old and knows how to sit and obeys well. She does tug on the leash. We later went to the SPCA trailer and got an application for adoption...

I have not decided anything yet. I'm alone alot, which I don't mind a bit, but having a companion dog would be nice. I also work from home. There's a new dog park in the neighborhood that just opened. I haven't come to terms with the whole baggie routine (my last dog--25 years ago--just lived outside and did her business in locations unknown to us), but I think I could handle it. The downside is that I couldn't just take off to Paris on a whim, but I've never done that and it's unlikely that I ever would, dog or no dog. But it would mean less spontaneity, or more accurately, less of potential spontaneity. It's a big commitment, and I don't go into big commitments lightly. I also have to weigh all the plusses and minuses--ALL of them. I'm an uber-Libra and sometimes it really slows me down!

Today I'm going to call to find out some additional information. In order for it to work, she would have to be already house trained, and would need to not get car sick, as we would go places together.