Puppy Love

It was my intent to write something here everyday.  After all, I boasted in my inaugural posting that I had a lot to say about everything - all the time - and couldn't imagine with such an open platform - not taking advantage of this opportunity. I still stand by my good intentions, but, as you can see by the date of this posting, I have failed to keep this promise, but I must add with good reason.  Actually four good reasons - four orphan boys by the name of Pax, Seamus, Marcus & Leo who were rescued off the streets of South L.A. by my dear friend Sheilah.  She is an angel who has dedicated her life to rescuing endangered pups and has started the rescue organization, MuttMatchLA (www.muttmatchla.com) and when she needs a foster home, she now knows that a call to me is rarely turned down. Why? Because I have become a sucker for puppy love.

I wasn't always like that.  In fact, when I was about four or five years old, I was badly bitten by my babysitter's dog as she bent down to tie my shoelaces on my sneakers.  From that moment on, I was terrified of dogs and would rather have had my teeth pulled without novocaine than go anywhere near even the tiniest of pups.  At the age of thirteen, my best friend's mother had gotten fed up locking their dog away everytime I slept over, which was often, so she told me it was either befriend their dog or no more sleepovers. Well, the thought of losing sleepover privileges forced the issue and from then on in, I stand at their front door in sheer terror, would walk into their home like a statue while their beloved pooch would bark and jump all over me until she tired of getting no response.  I would then retreat to my girlfriend's room where I made her shut and lock the door against any further contact, but over time this routine gave way to confidence and my fear finally abated.  

So this is why family and friends who know me from childhood are amazed by my newfound passion and love for these four legged creatures as well as my growing expertise in handling a myriad of canine issues. For that I have to thank Sheilah Aragon and her devotion to doggie rescue and to teaching me how to be a better mom.

It was just over a year ago, that Sheilah and her organization, MuttmatchLA came into my life and changed it forever.  The timing was right. My sons were living out of the house for a while now, and my "empty nest" was shouting out to be filled with the pitter-patter of little feet. It was also about the same time when Sheilah was desperately seeking a foster home for a litter of pups and had put out an e-mail blast which made it's way to me.   It was truly love at first sight when I saw the photos of these five new babies and their mama, and I immediately made the call to open my heart and my home to these homeless and potentially doomed creatures.  (If you don't know, city/county shelters are way overcrowded and dogs are put down if they cannot be adopted after a certain time period).

I didn't really know what I was getting into that first time I fostered  and it was alot to take on this big litter as a first timer.  Maybe ignorance is bliss and despite a few days of overwhelm, the joy and sense of pride I felt in having saved these babies has been incalculable.   

Over the next months,  several more dogs have come to live with me and all have gone on to wonderful forever homes except for a cute older dude by the name of Billy Jack.  He's such an easy guy I hardly know he's around and I know his perfect home awaits him too!

So now there's Pax, Seamus, Marcus and Leo - Iwho knows what their parentage is (they look like Sharpei/Pitbull/Beagles) but it doesn't matter, they have amazing personalities, they are truly adorable, full of spunk and the really good reason why I haven't written in my blogspot until now...well that's not entirely true.  A few days ago, Sheilah called and by the tone of her voice I knew it was another call to muster up some room at my home and my heart for puppy love and two more babies have joined my brood.

So now there's Bella, Bailey, Pax, Seamus, Marcus and Leo and Billy Jack, Roxy, Mimi and Lulu, ten reasons why I may not be writing so often, but ten reasons why I am always filled with joy and a whole lotta puppy love!

(If you are interested in learning more about MuttMatchLA, know anyone who wants to adopt one of  these babies and/or you want to make a donation to the care and feeding of these and other dogs in foster care, please email Sheilah at muttmatchla@aol.com or visit the website www.muttmatchla.com)