Nellie and Rascal saying goodbye

In my years of living in this house, we have had one, and only one, letter carrier who has always gone above and beyond, not to mention just getting it right. He knows how to read addresses correctly, he checks for outgoing mail even if you don't have any incoming, he moves packages out of street view and when he's delivering a package, he rings the bell to let you know it's there. He's kind and incredibly patient with crazy, barking dogs. Nellie has always liked him whenever we're out and about, but let him come up on the porch -- all bets are off. Howling ensues. Rascal has added to the din, as he is a barker who has perfected his skills over 14 years. Never fazed Billy our mail carrier. I went around the neighborhood alerting people to his impending departure (retirement much deserved) and encouraged thank you notes. If they wanted to add a little gift, so much the better. I shouldn't have been astonished by all of the people I talked to being totally on board. The enthusiastic responses were heartwarming. In addition to the card and gift, Nellie and Rascal wanted to make sure he knew they were going to miss giving him grief whenever he came up the steps to deliver mail. Today was his last day on the job:

 

Meet Rascal, our new family member

Yes, everyone already knows I'm crazy and a sucker for a pretty face and sad story. When I checked the local humane society website (OK - you got me - I look daily) I saw a dog named Rascal, 14 years old, who was surrendered for snapping at someone who got too near his food bowl. Older snappy dogs, especially those who are 14 and black, are very hard to find willing takers. When I talk to people about why they are unwilling to adopt seniors, they usually say things about the ending is too soon and too sad. Totally agree. HOWEVER, making a dog's last years truly comfortable and happy, at least to me, is more important than my own feelings of grief when they leave us. So for almost 2 months, I checked daily on Rascal. This past Sunday we finally made an appointment for a meet and greet. We inquired how many people had asked about him. None. Now those who were making bets we would be coming home that day with the bundle of energy we got to see in action -- you lose. We actually tried to have reason overcome our hearts (for once). We went home to think about it.

Monday we called the shelter and told them to wrap him up, we're taking him home. On Tuesday afternoon, we sprung him from jail, bundled him into the car in his brand new harness, collar and leash (matching teal, in case you were wondering). Once home, he was walked down the street a bit while I collected Nellie to walk on the opposite side of the street. Eventually we got closer to each other and kept walking. Rascal was far more interested in marking absolutely every shrub, tree, rock, and blade of grass to pay much attention to Nellie, so that was a good start. Kept walking, closer and closer together. There were a couple of tense moments, but overall, things were going well. Kept on walking. By the time we got back home, we pretty much decided to try and let them loose in the backyard to let nature take its course. This is against all expert advice by the way, so don't try this at home. So with a bit of trepidation we opened the gate and turned them loose inside. Nellie's response was much like her shenanigans at the dog park -- run circles around him and demonstrate a first-class case of the zoomies. Rascal was a bit confused by this, but took it in stride and after a bit, they did what dogs do best and people better NEVER do. So while they are not best mates yet, they tolerate each other. A win!

Now, Rascal is an Australian Kelpie mix and the people who surrendered him apparently decided to leave out pertinent information. His isn't just a resource guarder (shelter speak for he doesn't like other animals or people to mess with him while eating). He bites. Full on snarl and teeth. While introducing him to a neighbor who charms all the dogs who go by, he tried to bite her (and missed, thank goodness). OK -- maybe a one off. Nope. I was gently stroking his head and telling him what a good boy he was, and he suddenly, out of nowhere, snarled and nailed my wrist. He snaps when we put his harness on. Now, you would think that any sane person would take this unpredictable dog straight back to the shelter. Who thought we were sane? We now know we just have more issues to deal with and are taking steps to make him more comfortable in his new home. That and the barking. And trying to get out any open door. Yup, we have lots of challenges. And I don't care because he's family now and in a couple of months it'll be a different story altogether. So on that note, the first picture of Rascal: