THE ADOPTION OF ROYALTY

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

 I applied to adopt Princess. I usually adopt dogs who might be considered unadoptable because of their health or fear issues. I also have the requisite fenced-in backyard with a six-foot (and some) fence. Since I work from home, I would be able to give Princess loads of love and attention. She would also have built-in dog friends. I knew Franklin and Penelope would welcome her with open paws. Princess, at two years old, would help to keep the older dogs active.

I received a swift approval to my application along with an invitation to visit the shelter. This shelter wasn't just any shelter, though, that would easily allow me to pick up a dog and go home. I would have to spend time answering questions and getting to know Princess. Would she fear me? Would the person who runs the shelter think I was acceptable? 

I asked Carol to join me.She is Grandma to my dogs and would tell anyone who would listen that my dogs are well cared for.

We arrived in Green Cove Springs early on an April afternoon. The shelter could take seven shepherds at a time. Princess was from Tennessee. Her mistress had moved to Florida, been diagnosed with a cancer that was to claim her life, but had somehow found the shelter's benefactress, who drove Princess to the shelter. 

The woman who ran the shelter, "Ann," brought out Princess to meet me. 

She was beautiful. No, she was gorgeous. She was amazing. She looked at me with eyes that were not quite brown. They were more of a warm amber and the fur on her head and neck was red, with fawn and some darker colors on her lower body.

We spent some time outside with Princess, while Ann asked me questions. What did I feed my dogs? When did I feed them? Why did I want a German Shepherd? It was hard to tell from the photos I'd emailed how large my yard was and Shepherds would become destructive if they didn't get enough exercise. Was my yard really big enough? How would I exercise Princess? How would I? When would I? What would I? 

I could tell Ann didn't like my responses. She frowned a lot and at times, she told me I was wrong and told me what I needed to do instead, yet we moved inside to go over more details. Princess allowed me to pet her. Her fur was made of velvet. Ann didn't like the way I reached out to Princess and corrected me. Was she going to let me adopt this dog I had already fallen in love with?

Finally, I asked, So, can I take Princess home with me? Ann said Princess had already made the decision. Yes, she had, by settling on my feet and staring at me with absolute devotion. I signed a contract stating I would not give Princess to someone else, and if for some reason I couldn't keep her, I would return her to the shelter, and I paid a fee, along with making a donation because I didn't want Ann to change her mind.

Ann cried. She cried when she talked about Princess leaving with me. She cried before Princess left with me. She cried when we left. And she cried in between all the other crying. Ann was devoted to the dogs. 

Princess hopped right in the back seat of my car, happy to go for a ride. I told Carol, For a while there, I didn't think she was going to let me have Princess. Carol agreed. I didn't think so either. 

We were relieved to drive away with our girl and head for home.   to be continued

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug