Day 1: Immediate Connection

Monday, January 20th, 2014:

Picture from the first day I laid eyes on this marvelous dog that would soon become the best thing that has ever happened to me. I ventured into the SPCA with my friend Amanda after weeks of looking at dogs online. I wanted to simply get to know the process and familiarize myself with the policies. We got lost on the way, stopped at the wrong building, and drove her Prius through a snowy parking lot. But we finally made it.

Little did I know that I would find my perfect match within the first 30 seconds of arriving.

I immediately knew I wanted him and nothing would stop me from taking him home. I went in and visited him with my friend Amanda. He was pacing around and wagging his tail super excited to have us visit. The volunteer informed me that he was trained all around and told me a little bit about his history and that everyone at the shelter had fallen in love. I could see why, I mean come on, he's so dang cute!

We asked to make sure he could walk up stairs and what not, which he did ASAP no problemo, super excited to be able to leave his room. The volunteer put him back and I immediately asked to file an adoption application.

After nervously filling out an application as soon as possible (there was another family that seemed very interested so I made sure I would file mine first) they informed me about his medical background - he sadly was brought in with some tumors which were diagnosed as cancer. The vets promptly had him undergo surgery in order to extend his life and put him temporarily in remission. As the volunteer was informing me of this I just kept feeling my heart sink and was almost brought to tears. It's as if the whole room suddenly was silent and I could focus on nothing but the image I had of him in my mind.

After she got through explaining everything, I said I was still definitely interested and wanted to make sure to put him on hold and to keep my application on file to start the screening process. I did however ask to speak to the veterinarian in order to understand better. She said the vet was in florida but she would call me and that she would be back on thursday. My friend Amanda and I thanked her and left the adoption center with heavy hearts.

The rest of the day was spent going back and forth about the pros and the cons in terms of adopting him. Our earlier high spirits were dampened and we were both genuinely very sad and conflicted. We decided to go to Five Guys in order to eat some food and hopefully cheer up - this was unsuccessful as neither of us could stop from wondering back to the conversations about how sad and unfair my poor Rocky's situation was.

I knew in my heart that I was sold and that nothing was going to keep me from having this dog and providing the best care I could and I waited and waited, constantly weighing the idea of taking on this responsibility as a 19 year old in college. I couldn't help but believe that I would have to avoid telling my parents the truth about his condition and wanted to keep it as a personal matter. I was worried they would try to discourage me from embarking on such a painful journey. I knew that no matter what they said I would do it anyways, so I decided to avoid discussing the matter for the time being.

The rest of the week was a blur of visits to the SPCA and heavy thoughts weighing on my brain. My heart ached for the brown and blue eyed bulldog that had stolen my heart in a fleeting second.