"There's Always Room For One More"

I heard both of my parents say that over the years.

They both meant it.

In recent months, Christine and I have talked off and on about getting "Billy" a playmate. There are times when both of us are out and about. We figured it would be good for "Billy" to have company of his own kind. However, we always seemed to talk ourselves out of it.

Over the weekend, this video appeared on the Cumberland County SPCA's Facebook page.



I was sitting quietly in the kitchen when I heard Christine blurt out, "Oh my God......that's a DACHSHUND!!!!!!!!!!!


I was startled by the volume and her tone of voice.

Frankly, I was also curious.

She ran the video a couple times more.

There, near the very end, was indeed a Dachshund. She was up for adoption this weekend. However, it was Sunday night at 11:00 pm when we saw the video.

I told Chris not to get her hopes up too high.

We went to the Cumberland County SPCA website and opened up the page where they list the dogs available for adoption.

There was only one Dachshund on the list. Looking at her stats, I figured she might still be there on Monday.

- 8 years old
- "Better with women than men and children"
- Turned in by previous owners
- "Nips at ankles"


There were a few other things on the list, but nothing too damning.

Still, after calling the SPCA and finding out she was still there, we decided to load "Billy" up and go see her.

Why take "Billy"? Well, for starters, we adopted him from the very same SPCA. We've been meaning to take him back over there for a visit so the folks could see how much better he's done since they saved his life. Secondly, both the SPCA and us had to see if the two dogs would get along okay.

Leaving "Billy" in the car, we walked inside and spoke to the ladies at the front desk. Two of them recognized us from "Billy's" adoption. They gave us directions to the kennel where we could make an initial visit to the dog in question.

She was in the pen with two other small dogs. One was a jumpy, yappy Pekingese that seemed to have some aggression issues, the other a cute little mutt.

It was obvious that she wasn't a pure bred Dachshund by her snout. Everything else was Dachshund save that. She came up to the gate. Christine reached out to her. She sniffed Christine's hand, but was promptly pushed aside by the Pekingese.  The little Dachshund ran out the small door leading to the outside portion of the pen.

We'd seen enough to know we were interested. I went to the desk and asked if we could see the dog in one of the private visiting rooms.

It took just a few minutes and the three of us were all together.

She was very standoffish at first. The poor thing had been through so much lately, that's hardly a surprise. Her dossier mentioned she had bitten at least one person before.

After five minutes of skittish behavior, I'd seen enough.

Against Christine's warning, I reached over and picked her up.

She calmed down right away.

I handed her to Christine. The little dog remained calm.

Now it was time for the "acid test".

Stopping by the front desk, I informed the volunteer that we were ready to bring "Billy" in to meet the new dog.

She went down to the room with a leash for the new dog, I went outside and got "Billy".

While the one volunteer was getting the new dog ready, I placed "Billy" up on the front counter for the other ladies to see.

The two ladies familiar with "Billy" and his story were amazed at how good he looked. Remarkably, he didn't bark or act nervous. He knew he'd seen these folks before. Normally he'd shy away at first. He didn't even cringe when they came up to pet him and make a small fuss over him.

With everything ready in the visiting room, I walked him down there.

Would he like her? Would she like him? Would the fur fly? Would growling and gnashing of teeth ensue?

Nope.

They sniffed each other, acted like they'd been together for a long time, and both generally seemed pleased to see another Dachshund.

That sealed the deal.

Where once there was one, now there are two.

We're not big fans of her name, but it's the only one she's had since she was a pup.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

"Mercedes".

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Splitty The Maul's Back....

After a long absence, Splitty the Maul is back.

Now it's no secret that Splitty is a "social" sort of fellow.  He and his good friend Billy spent the afternoon enjoying this remarkable Spring day.

It's a given that dogs love laying in sunny spots. However apparently mauls dig hanging out in sunny rooms as well.

I've obviously been missing in action as well, but I am back.

It will probably be a little while before I'm fully up to speed, but I'm getting there.

After an hour or so of hanging out, Billy had to go outside and relieve himself.

Splitty figured it would be a good time to stretch his leg.

Since mauls are naturally curious, it didn't surprise me when he started wandering about.

Splitty liked the color I painted the office in the front room last Fall. He was also happy to see we hadn't killed too many of the plants from last Summer's patio project.

I offered Splitty free pass on the 'fridge. If you've ever traveled long distances, you know how hungry you can get just flying for four hours or driving for a couple days when you arrive.

Splitty opted to wait for dinner as far as food went, but did pour himself a nice glass of fresh squeezed carrot juice. For those that think carrot juice sounds gross, I have some news for you. It has a remarkably sweet flavor resembling that of chocolate milk.

Splitty says he recommends it.

Okay folks, I have to sign off.

Splitty's off to take a nap and I need to let Billy back in.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

AHWN

Hey folks, looks who's back!!!!!!

I sort of stumbled into a "writer's block" and failed to get up for a month.

"AWHN" you ask?

That's an abbreviation from a good friend of mine, Mr. Bill Schoonover.

Bill's a retired Navy CPO, works for a major Memphis based company, and is an all around good guy.

If I needed something all the way up here in Jersey, Bill is the kind of guy that would make it happen. Same thing here for Bill if he needed something.

Oh............."AHWN"?

Bill has a habit of working from home from time to time.

He occasionally signs off on his emails with "AWHN".

"At Home Working Naked".

I'm reminded of Bill today because of politics. It's an ugly race out there (at least among the Republicans right now). There isn't a good candidate in the field. Jon Hunstman was the most decent of the group, but "centrist" isn't in fashion with today's GOP.

Seriously, a turd in a punch bowl has more appeal than ANY of the four primary survivors.

They all scream about "Big Government".

The only thing "Big" about our "Big Government" is the amount being overspent on contractors. You know, the guys that shove their dirty money into Republican pockets and their "Super PACs".

They claim to be "pro military", yet they are ready to throw well trained men and women to the curb. If they get their way, they will gut the services of senior officers and enlisted.

God forbid those men and women who've served our country get a pension.

Funny, the Republicans call it, "an entitlement".

I want our veterans to have health care.

I want our veterans to have a well earned retirement.

God bless everyone of those that would put themselves in harm's way to protect us.

They stood up for this country.

Just like my father, my grandfathers, and four of my uncles did.

Just like two of my cousins did.

Just like my two older brothers did.

Just like my niece and nephew-in-law are doing today.

A guy like Bill will charge Hell with a bucket of water.

The U.S. Navy was lucky to have him.

So was this government.

The Republicans want to "cut Big Government".

Maybe they should start with their bloated office budgets and staffs.

Oh, and hold the Lockheed-Martin's of the world accountable.

Sadly, Bill has a better chance dousing Hell.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.