A New Face

There's a new face in my house. 

It's long and narrow.  And old.  She has cataracts and I don't think she hears very well (though it might be a case of selective hearing).  She spends a lot of time sleeping, because that's what old lady dogs do.  But when she's awake, she's kind of bouncy and her tail whips back and forth furiously.  And she loves to be held.  If you're sitting down, she'll come put her forepaws on your leg and ask to be lifted up.

When I was first asked if I could take her, I discussed it with my husband.  He wondered aloud if we were going to be doggie hospice.  After all, she's already 14+ years old.  But I don't think it's going to be like that.

We are doing a trial run this week to see how she fits into our house.  The big dogs gave her a good sniffing over and drooled on her.  The cats are a bit freaked out.  French will walk past her quickly.  Yoda scampered upstairs and pooped on a bed.  Misha and Tottie are reluctant to come in the house.  But that will change.  Already this afternoon, Yoda spent a few hours lounging on an ottoman in the family room.  He's the scaredy-est of the cats and if he can deal with it, I know the others will come around.

I was a little concerned about how Darling Man would feel.  He's very attached to his animals and is reluctant to upset their little world.  But apparently I didn't have to worry - this morning, he picked up his guitar and sang a song he made up about old lady dachsund dogs.  He is smitten already.

I have a feeling we have a new member of our family.  Her owners will be sad, but need to give her up.  They can be comforted in that Abby will be loved here for the rest of her life.