This dog was a stray.
Somehow, she was lost by an unfortunate person or family who must have loved her.
We were the lucky ones.
Through contacts on a breed-specific internet list, we
heard about a stray dog
over 500 miles away that might fit our lifestyle.
Some people might think we're a little crazy.
We believe some things are meant to be, and
now that Scooch is a part of our life,
we know that this is one of those things!
We
traveled from our home near Knoxville, Tennessee to Springfield,
Illinois on March 4, 1999
to meet the dog's rescuer and, on her approval, to bring her home
with us.
In the short time since we adopted each
other, Scooch has changed
from a timid, insecure, easily frightened dog into
42 pounds of personality and fun.
We
got home on Friday night, March 4, and began basic obedience
training the
following Monday, hoping both to speed the bonding process and to
prevent her from
ending up a stray again as we travel in our motorhome this summer.
Scooch is obviously looking
forward to traveling - every time we take her out in front, she
wants to get in the RV,
but Bill really wants to drive!
She has her favorite places in the house picked out - this one is in the living room.
This
one is in our bathroom, which is fine, except when one of us wants
to take a shower -
she does not want to move!
Fencing the back yard is our first priority in the fall. It's wonderful to watch her run free and play.
Scooch
did wonderfully in obedience training. She's really very
intelligent.
I warned Bill about too much praise giving her a "big head",
but he wouldn't listen!
Judging
from how often we find Scooch as you see her in the pictures
below,
we don't think insecurity is a major issue any more!
We can only hope that we add as much to Scooch's life as she adds to ours!
