The Ultimate "Screeners"

Despite all logical attempts to keep my emotional distance, I find myself today, missing the precocious, tiny Chihuahua mix who was, most of the time, like an appendage on my body. I could not sit down without Charlie demanding to be on my lap. Other times, I carried Charlie around like a Mother carries a small baby.

Whoever said, Chihuahuas were bred to be "substitute babies" wasn't kidding.

Fostering is sometimes, much tougher than it might appear.

I had become very fussy about who Charlie would be adopted to. The longer I had Charlie, the more discriminating I became in "screening" potential adopters.

No homes with kids or other dogs because Charlie was the kid. He didn't appreciate "competition" for human affection from my dog, Tina and he wasn't going to easily accept competition from other pets or children. Some people called with other Chihuahuas seeking a "companion" or playmate to their other pet. But, Charlie didn't need a job to do. He just wanted one person he could call his own.

When a cheerful, bubbly, young, 30-something, woman named, "Amy" called the other day, I (as usual) had my emotional resistance up.

Though Amy previously had a Border Collie for 15 years who she brought with her to NYC when she moved here some years back, (the dog died last year) she presently lived with a roommate. I am always a little dubious of roommate situations as they tend not to be permanent.

"You will have to bring your roommate with you if or when meeting Charlie," I told Amy. "We have to know everybody in the home is on the same page if adopting a dog."

Amy had no problem meeting any of the conditions or criteria for adoption.

Yesterday, she showed up with her roommate after the two women had finished work.

At first, I met Amy and her roommate, "Nora" outside of my apartment building with Charlie as he is not always welcoming when strangers come into my home.

Better that their first impression of Charlie be a happy, cheerful dog out for a walk, than a growling, barking imitation "guard dog."

And of course, Amy was all bubbly optimism when meeting Charlie.

"Oh, I just love him! He's so cute! Look at the way he skittles around. He's such a lively little dog. Are you sure he's 8-years-old? He seems younger."

"Well, Chihuahuas can live well into their teens," I replied, nonchalantly. "We know he's an older dog, because of the mild cataracts over his eyes. But, he's a nice and hardy little dog. I'm sure Charlie can live many more years."

After walking Charlie around the block, I invited the two women up to my apartment with Charlie.

I expected Charlie to be a little more guarded when coming back to his "home" with the two strangers.

But, surprisingly, he wasn't.

Charlie took quickly and enthusiastically to Amy.

Within moments, he went up to Amy and invited her to pick him up and put him on the couch. He then settled comfortably into her lap.

His forwardness and quickness to trust a stranger both impressed and surprised me.

"Wow, he must really like you!" I said. "It took about a day for Charlie to be quite so forward with me. He was quite skittish at first."

"Do you think animals know when they are being adopted as opposed to being fostered?" Amy asked inquisitively.

"You know, I actually think they do." I answered earnestly. "I'm not sure how, but they do. Maybe its because we as fosters have to try and maintain some emotional distance so as not to get too attached. -- though I admit I am not very good at that."

There seemed to be little doubt that Charlie somehow "knew" he was being adopted and he seemed quite happy with it.

Amy's roommate was very agreeable to the adoption, though her prior experiences with dogs had been with bigger dogs. But, Nora had to leave after a few minutes to meet a friend. Meanwhile, Amy decided to go to Petco to buy some dog food and supplies.

She returned almost an hour later with a whole bonanza of doggie treats, toys, food and a fancy dog carrier.

Charlie was not going to be wanting for anything.

He curiously and happily waded through the bag of supplies while we made out the paper work for adoption.

About a half hour later, Amy left with a contented Charlie in the doggie carrier for the trip back to Amy's Brooklyn Heights apartment.

Yes, there is no question in my mind that most animals "know" when they are being adopted.

And there's no question either, that it's important to let them choose their own adopters.

Ultimately, dogs (and cats) are much better "screeners" than we mere humans. ;) -- PCA

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This entry has 2 comments: (Add your own)

#2 Comment from gilmannyc@...
3/7/08 7:06 PM | Permalink

I love that Charlie Chan has a full name. What a happy story for him. I definately miss Slim (my most recent foster dog, adopted last year, for those reading the comments.)

I walk by the cheese aisle at the grocery store and get a little sad. I loved to feed him string cheese. It was one of his favorite treats.

I have been emailing back and forth with his adoptive mom. He follows her around night and day, which makes me feel guilty that he has been passed around, and probably continues to think that he will be left behind even though that is not the case.

Rachel
#1 Comment from jmuhjacat
3/7/08 2:56 PM | Permalink

CONGRATULATIONS to you and to Charlie and his new family! And you're so right, Patty -- cats and other animals, being less brainwashed and weighed down with "baggage" than humans, are a lot more in touch with their emotions and with others' as well.

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The Ultimate "Screeners"