14/365 - Kaelee

14/365 - Kaelee, originally uploaded by Sassygeogirl.

We have a girl in the house! Yay! I'm no longer the only female! Everyone, I'd like you to meet Kaelee. She is a six month old whippet. In November I was asked by Whippet Rescue to do a home inspection for Kaelee's prospective family. I gladly went to their home and gave them all the information they needed to happily raise a whippet. This family had two parrots - conures. Whippets are very prey driven - it's genetic. No matter how well trained a whippet can be, they can never ever be trusted around something they would consider prey. Now, before my whippet friends protest, I know - there ARE exceptions, but to be safe, I very strongly informed the family they needed to be alert to this tendency. I also told them if they had any problems whatsoever, to call me right away, before they made any decisions about the dog, as many problems can be worked out before they become a permanent habit. Fast forward to Saturday. I received a message from the husband of the family saying they wanted to give her back to rescue. My heart sank. I spoke to the husband and he proceeded to tell me that Kaelee almost got one of the birds and every time he's walking her, she wants to chase after birds, lizards, frogs, squirrels, etc. She also wants to be outside all the time and they don't have much of a yard. And because of THAT they can't keep her. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.... First, she's a PUPPY! Second, I TOLD them to expect this. I'm just so pissed about this I cannot tell you. After our trail ride on Sunday, we went to pick her up. The wife started to cry as soon as she went to speak. Hmmm.... I think there's more going on than meets the eye or what they told us. I think the husband must be the bird lover and didn't like the fact they couldn't be out whenever they wanted. What were they thinking - that dogs don't chase birds? It goes without saying that there could have been a happy medium, but they didn't even want to try.

This sweet dog is amazing! They taught her to ring a bell when she needs to go out, she's friendly, loves kids, loves other dogs, listens well, will sit on command... all in all a wonderful dog! My dogs, even my old, grumpy rescue, immediately accepted her and she has fit in as if she's always been with us. My son was wiping her off the next morning, as she was wet from the grass, and I said to him "Don't fall in love with her now..." He said "Too late! I'm totally in love with her!" Sigh. This is the hardest part of rescue.

Well, yesterday I was informed by the Hub that he and the Kid have decided that they just can’t live without Kaelee. So, after considering having 3 whippets again and “sleeping on it,” I contacted rescue to see if they would allow us to keep her and we got an answer back today saying that we could! So, here’s her first photo all snuggled up on my bed… Isn’t she adorable?