Thursday 7.11.13

Today I went to meet Dolly! Her racing name is Mega Sandal, but Joyce at Fast Friends calls her Dolly. I was told that Dolly is super shy, but is afraid of cats. She was in one foster home, but they gave her back because they said that Dolly refused to come out of the bedroom. So Joyce, the president of the adoption group, took her into her own home with her twenty something other greyhounds! She said Dolly has come around a bit with her, but will need some work.
The #1 priority for me is to have a dog who is safe for Béla.
I need to remember that.
Shy or not shy.
Béla still comes first.

From the fastfriends.org website

I was so nervous driving there.
Could this be the one?
When I arrived, Joyce came out telling me that Dolly had just cut her leg on something and she would be a minute bandaging it up (Oh no! Will she associate bad things with me?)
So, I waited at the barn area until she brought out this lovely, gentle soul - Dolly.
Of course I fell in love with her immediately - shy or not shy!
I could see potential in her, just as I see potential in each one of my first graders when they start the new school year. Potential.
I can do this.
I saw how Joyce was able to pet and hug her. "That will be me someday!" I thought.
We took Dolly to the corral and let her run around a bit. She liked playing with the tennis ball and seemed comfortable with Joyce.
Yes. I can do this.
We went for a walk. Dolly didn't pull and she wasn't too freaked out by the cars and trucks whizzing by. She took some time to "smell the roses," too.
Oh yeah. I can do this!!!
Just like teaching:  time, patience, work, love, understanding....right?
This could work.
If I am good with helping first graders change, grow, and learn then I can certainly help Dolly change, grow, and learn how to be brave, can't I?
So I told her I was definitely interested and we set up Sunday as the day to visit our home.
Dolly would be able to stay with us starting Sunday IF and only IF Dolly wasn't TOO freaked out by Bela. I spent the next few days trying to keep myself busy...and trying not to get my hopes up. Bela hissed and did puff tail with Gene and other dogs who came over in the past. She might just freak out this scared little baby if she did that.
Must think positive thoughts.
And if it doesn't work out, then it wasn't meant to be....right?
Just Breathe.....