Meet the Bessettes Part 3

?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?And to conclude our “Meet the Bessettes” our littlest and furriest member, Quinlan. Quinlan is a 5 year old Shiba Inu. The below picture is pretty accurate representation of our little guy. We rescued him on March 11, 2013 and he has pretty much measured up to the Shiba definition: smart, stubborn, lovable (but on his terms), a loner, loyal, protective, anxious and catlike. It is safe to say this four-legged friend has moved into our homes, hearts and changed our world forever.

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Danny and I both grew up with dogs and knew we would always have a dog. In fact we both pretty instantly agreed it is the first pitstop on the way to expanding your family. Our first apartment together would not allow dogs so our first two years we flew solo. But living in Old Town Alexandria dogs were EVERYWHERE and crazy as it sounds, one big reason for moving was to be able to make our puppy dreams come true. We both had golden retrievers with our families and love that breed. They are sweet and loving, great with all people and most animals -truly a perfect companion. I also had ALWAYS dreamt of a chocolate lab and Danny had known many in his lifetime - although crazy dogs, he thought it could be an OK fit. However as we looked at apartment living as the indefinite plan, a large dog just did not seem like the best fit, plus we thought a rescue would be a great way to start…so I started the search.

During our second year and third year of marriage I lost hours to dog you tubes, emailed countless rescues to him and then started to threaten that I would just start bringing ones home. At one point I found a sweet girl pup going blind and needing to be fed by hand and I pleaded for her! Danny finally took my seriously and for our two year anniversary he got me a dog collar with a promise for a pup soon - but also a request to find the right dog. He thought maybe we have enough medical issues with him to not choose a dog in need. I obliged and slowed down on my search.

When we still lived in Old Town Dan was out jogging one day and met a Shiba Inu. He said it was like a little fox running through the woods with him. He talked with the owners and played with her for a few minutes. Later he googled to learn more only to find they were the perfect size, smart, loyal and just a beautiful breed - even a national treasure in Japan. After my most recent promise to find the right dog we talked more seriously about a Shiba. Looking into getting a puppy was nothing short of a fortune, so we returned to the rescue idea and found DC Shiba Rescue Group (check them out here). We kept an eye on their adoptable pets and when we get settled into our next home that allowed dogs, we started to look into the application process.

At this point I was ready to TAKE THEM ALL….Dan was a little more purposeful, a little older dog might be better, he preferred the red Shibas and wanted a male. And just like that we found “Sanji”. He was four years old and a total sweetheart in pictures. He was a little shy, a little reserved and after being surrendered to a shelter when his owners had to move to an elderly home - he was a little freaked out. In the past few weeks he was rescued from the shelter, moved into a new foster home with a sister Shiba, was fixed and started meeting potential pawrents. Poor little guy was probably VERY overwhelmed. And we could not WAIT to give him a forever home!

Our application was placed, several phone interviews conducted, and then we got to meet him! We traveled a few hours away to his foster mom’s home and met this little guy. He was so excited to see us and would not stop laying in my lap for a belly rub or fetching the toys Danny tossed around for him. We got to walk him, lay with him, talk to him, feed him and pretty much cement our love! I am sure we overstayed our welcome….we could just not get enough of him….and I heard Danny whisper to him - you love her bud? I love her too - could you take care of her when I am not around? My heart was melting……then we went to say goodbye and sweet Sanji just stood at the gate barking for us to come back. That was it I was hooked!

There was one other candidate who was a good match so we went home hoping and praying we were the final choice. It was Saturday of my birthday weekend and we both said - what a PERFECT gift!!!! The next day we got an early AM call for a home visit in an hour - we rushed around to clean up and completed the visit pretty easily. Monday I worked from home and Dan got a call with an update on Sanji…..we had been chosen!!!!! WHAOO! We drove THAT NIGHT to get him - after a BIG petco trip….spending way to much! That was it, he was ours!! We adopted our pup in March - and being that we are both of Irish decent (at least some %) we named him Quinlan, Irish for “little bear”.

The first 4 months were perfect! He was an angel….slowly figuring us out and then quickly asserting his dominance. He had a bed, but ours was really his, he slept with us. The furniture was all his for the taking, he loved to learn tricks and ride in the car - and besides his inability to be around ANY dogs, he was great! Slowly he adjusted to our families’ dogs and it really was a match made! We introduced him to family, early mornings and late evenings were dedicated to lots of walking while weekends we hiked, we celebrated holidays as a family of three…..we were thrilled.

That September we knew a big move was coming at the end of the year and we wanted to get ahead of it….in came the boxes. Poor little guy sorta lost it. He started to be very anxious, would be grumpy and snap at us….so as all good new parents, we RAN to the vet. What was going on?? Nothing physical so it was mental and emotional. And the roller coaster began. Quinlan is quite the emotional wreck at times, stubborn as the day is long and a little too smart - where he knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. He has really challenged us at times, he has not played well with others on several occasions, and he has left a lasting impression on those who have watched him for us, that is putting it nicely. All in all he is not an easy pup, but we are only a year together. In his little world he had four years with his first family before they left him, so he deserves some time. Overall we see improvement but it is most certainly one step forward and a few back. No matter what though, we love our little guy, he is part of the family and we are committed to growing and learning together.

He has had a long road to us and we have had a long road to him….but it has been worth it! Beyond the challenges we have falling head over heels for his playful manner, smiling face, the way he has to be cuddled up with our feet and tangled in the blankets to sleep. He has his lion - the favorite toy- and he burrows just like fox under our bed and in his hiding spots. When either of us comes home his little ears are pressed back against his head and his tail is going nuts……I now can hardly imagine coming home without it! This week we are heading with him to the beach and Dan and I can't wait to see him in the waves - or avoiding them, we shall see! We love to see him learn new tricks or experience new environments - even if it is a little difficult with his nerves. Danny and I have become better partners and communicators and really come to appreciate the meaning of unconditional love. This little guy was sent to us and we are so happy to call him a Bessette!