I Believe We Have a Pack

Who’s that playing with that puppy we only got a few months ago (and by the way, happy 7 month birthday to Carlton!)? Why, that’s Vlassic, so named by Sara the neighbor, because he looks like Anita’s dog, Pickle.

Honest. Not looking for a dog.

We’ve only had the beautiful Carlton for a few months, and we’ve been enjoying him very much. He gets along great with the other dogs, and we’re happy.

But, on Sunday, Sara was meditating in her office, when she saw something on the porch. She thought it was something one of her kids had left outside, but then it moved! It was a very, very black dachshund mix dog. He turned out to be very friendly, very healthy, and obviously a house dog.

Where did he come from?

One thing you need to know is that the Hermits’ Rest is not an urban ranch. We are on a sparsely populated, rural road, conveniently outside a small town. It’s far enough out that if you wanted to dump your pet and tell your kids it “went to live on a farm,” your pet may never find its way back “home.” There are no nearby neighbors from whom he could have wandered away.

Over the years, lots of animals have suddenly showed up at the Wild Type Ranch, where Sara lives, the Rattlesnake House across the street (where we currently have a very sweet, volunteer guard cat that just “showed up”), etc. So, poor little Vlassic seems to have been discarded by someone. He did not show up on any of the “missing pet” groups in Milam County this week. Sigh.

I had a plan

When Sara said our horse grooming would have to be delayed, because there was a visitor, I said not to worry. I was sure we could easily get him to the wonderful folks at the Cameron dog pound, where he’d find a home very fast (people love small dogs).

I took him home with me, and he ran up to greet our other dogs. He and Carlton immediately began to play. And that’s what happened the rest of the day. He played with Carlton, he played with Harvey, and he played with Brody. Even Alfred eventually warmed up to him and was witnessed Doing a play bow.

When Brody jumped into the little galvanized stock tank we use for his cooling station, Vlassic watched carefully. Then he jumped right in! Black dogs need to cool off!

The plan failed

Well, as soon as Anita heard about Vlassic, she already had him living in Austin with us and Pickle. And as soon as Lee held him in his arms, he was looking all sad at the thought of him leaving us.

So, we are yet another failed foster family, I guess. It’s true that Vlassic really is a good little fellow, and he is just what Carlton needs, a youthful playmate. We know he is pretty young, because his teeth are great. Other than 5 chest hairs, they are the only white bits on him.

Today, Lee is going to take him to the traveling vet who’s here on Thursdays. She’s the same one who has taken care of Carlton and got Alfred shaved. We will be sure he has all his shots and schedule a neutering for him, because, wow, he is very interested in his man parts.

I’m a little worried that five dogs makes us crazy dog hoarders or something. But, we hope he can do the plan I’d originally set up for Carlton, and spend half his time in Austin with Anita and Pickle. We’ll see! At least he should be easier to walk than Carlton is!

If you happen to be a dog dumper, rest assured we aren’t keeping any more. Just take them straight to the wonderful Dog Pound in Cameron, and Sandra will be good to your former canine companion. She will keep him or her safe from coyotes, snakes, hawks, and property owners with guns, and find a new home with nice, caring folks. Be responsible. Geez.