Today...

[TerriL]

Today...I played with my dogs. I came home from work at noon.  Patsy, from the dachshund rescue was meeting with me for my home visit. Part of the rescue adoption process.  She was running a bit late so I had about an hour to kill.  My first thought was to re-wash my kitchen floor!  Or maybe I should make sure the bed was made "just right" !  I was sure that she would want to see the ramp that my husband made so that Buelah and Oscy never had to jump into the big bed.  I wanted to make sure that the placemat that I keep under the water dishes was clean!  I wanted to make sure that the spot on the kitchen rug caused by Oscy's unexpected vomiting, the spot that I never could get out, was hidden as best I could.   I wanted it to be perfect!  After all,  we were talking about adopting another dachshund!  This is HUGE!  This is a new addition!  A brother for Oscy and Buelah!  This little guy NEEDED us!  So I ran around for awhile like a crazy woman....not so easy with two little dachsies at your heels!  As I was grabbing another handful of paper towels to clean the mirror in the bathroom that I had just cleaned yesterday I happened to glance toward the back door.  Buelah was standing there with her "baby" in her mouth.  Now this baby has significant importance in the world of Buelah.  It was her very first toy, a very small stuffed bear that has, at this point, no vague resemblence to it's original self.   It was the "welcome home sweet Boolah bear baby",it was the crate baby, the "I'm probably in big trouble for peeing on the floor" baby,  the fetch and chase baby, the tug baby, the "Oh my God they just brought another dog into my house" baby.  It was...her first toy. This little stuffed toy has been at the very bottom of the toy box for ages.  I've never had the heart to throw it away even though Buelah dosn't seem at all interested in it anymore.  There are always new toys to play with and lizards to chase!    So why, on this particular day, in these particular circumstances, would she decide to bring me the baby? Fluke?  Who knows?  All I do know is that my heart melted.   All of a sudden it didn't really matter that everything looked perfect.  What mattered is WHY I was adopting and what I had right in front of my face. All of a sudden that spot on the carpet didn't seem so big and ugly. What mattered is that my dogs knew that I was home early and wanted to play.  We ran and fetched and chased that baby.  We threw the tennis ball and played with the tug rope.  When I was exhausted we sat on the couch and, as usual I was treated to a facefull of kisses before they settled down for a nap. 
The home visit?  It was great!  On Tuesday evening we will be welcoming a beautiful smooth red little boy into our home.    I never did get the bathroom mirror spotless...and there were a few wrinkles in the bed spread from little dogs that were running up and down the ramp that daddy built.  What I did this afternoon is have fun.  I think I'm going to take a few more afternoons off.  Now that there's a trio!  Welcome little Toby.  There's a spot in my heart that has just been waiting for you!

[AnnieofNJ]

I loved your story.  I am so glad you spent the afternoon in play rather than work.  When I do my home visits the most important thing I watch is the interaction of person and dog.  The appearance of the house is secondary.  Besides I have more than one stain on my carpet.  Congratulations on your new addition.

[Barb]

Awwwwww, I loved your story.  I remember so clearly several years ago when Brandy was on the way.  We had adopted Rudy from Operation Kindness (our local no-kill shelter) and 8 months later decided that he needed to have company during the day while we were gong.  So I went to Dachshund Rescue and we found Brandy.  They were coming to do our home visit and bringing Brandy too....and if the visit went well, they were going to leave her with us.

I was a mess that morning....just like you running around making sure everything looked perfect......Finally, I decided to take Rudy for a walk just to get out of the house - it was close to the time that they were coming with Brandy.  As we rounded the corner to our house, the car was just pulling up.....my heart jumped into my throat - what if it didn't work out and all this expectation about having our little girl didn't gel.....I was so worried....is Rudy going to growl at her....hate her...be mad at me?????  All fears unfounded.....Rudy walks up and sniffs this trembling little girl, I squat down to pet her......and a few minutes later we walk into the house.....off go the kids exploring the house.     The rescue woman looked in each room and 10 minutes later we were signing the papers.....WHEW......30 minutes later, me, Rudy and Brandy were on the couch !!!!!

I KNOW it is all going to work out fine for your boy....how can you wait 4 more days ??????  Can't wait to hear !

[Krista]

Congratulations Terri!  We are super excited for you.

Your post was wonderful to read and really shared the emotional rollercoaster with us.  I hope everything goes smoothly as Toby adjusts to his new home and family members.

--I've not had a home check done on me, but I've done several home checks on other hopeful families.  I don't look for a spotless household.  I look for a safe, lived-in environment that is generally tidy and dachshund-friendly. Does it affect how the dachshunds live if the mirror has a streak on it or if the carpet is stained? - Not at all.  It is actually kind of nice to see a few "imperfections" as that lets me know the people likely won't freak out if the dachshund makes a mess from time to time.

We are waiting anxiously in spirit right along with you!

[Dianne]

That's a great doxie day!  Congratulations!

[KathyP]

What a wonderful story, Terri! I'm so glad things went well and you have a new addition to your household! Belly rubs to all three!!

[Valerie]

Congrats on your new addition! 

I remember feeling the same way before the rescue came to visit our home with Cookie.  I was so nervous that our home wouldn't be perfect enough for them and Cookie.  Well, Cookie didn't care, all she cared about was the new squeaky toys on the floor and the couple there who were so excited to see her. 

I bet you can't wait to get your new little guy into your home!

[Jenny G]

Thanks for putting things into perspective for me, Terri!  We're having a home visit in the next few days and I'm ready to plant flowers, touch up the paint on the baseboards and all kinds of stuff!  I guess the most important thing is that we have a safe and loving home - not a perfect home.  I'm just so nervous and excited and everything all at once!  It's nice to know there are so many others who have gone through this same thing!