CoCo - A Canine Tale

Since relocating back home to Jackson, I have contemplated getting a dog. It had to be pure bred and it had to be totally devoted to me. So my plan had always been to get a puppy, well-bred, and bring him home at no older than 6-10 weeks.

I approached this like I do everything, with much thought, preparation and research. I spent months poring over web sites, reading, and watching TV shows like The Dog Whisperer and DogTown. The first decision I made was breed. I chose Golden Retriever because I preferred larger dogs. Goldens are beautiful, docile, and smart. I preferred a female for the smaller size and because they were even more docile than the males, according to my research.

For nearly a year more I looked at Goldens on web sites, studied breeders sites, and bought a couple of books. But as I learned more, I started to have doubts. I am kind of a neat nick and Goldens are known to be quite prolific shedders. Oh, my dog, would have to be mostly an inside dog. I did not see much point in having a dog that stayed in the backyard all the time. I wanted a companion, not a guard dog. I checked out cross breeds, Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, etc., but just did not get the warm fuzzies I wanted.

Then my neighbor knocked on my door one late May afternoon and called out to me. I stepped out onto the porch, said hello and then noticed a small bundle of sandy and white fur ambling across the porch. It was my first site of Grayson. Grayson is a Shih Tzu; he was 8 weeks old at that time. He was beautiful. A warm glow filled my heart. It was love at first site. Not long after, I stopped looking for a dog. I just did not see how I could love another dog as much as I loved this little ball of fur. As he grew, so did my love for him.

Then I stumbled upon an opportunity to adopt a Shih Tzu of my own. I visited him and felt something akin to what I felt for Grayson at first site. His name was CoCo. My neighbor and I took Grayson to meet him. They had to get along. They did. Beautifully.

So I took CoCo home. We got along fine. He was sweet, obedient, warm, and well-trained. But he wasn't Grayson. He needed much more. CoCo was so social. I could see he was not happy. Oh, he adjusted to his home. That wasn't it. I was home all day, I work at home. The sad look in his eyes as he stood in the door of my office as I worked at my PC really got to me. But that wasn't what did me in. He and I had plenty of bonding time in the evenings. He played with his toys, cuddled with me, and was OK as long as I was active about the house.

Then one day CoCo discovered a way to escape the screened in porch where I allowed him to play and get across the street to where Grayson frolicked in the backyard. Once he found that, he became obsessed with getting back there. He became increasingly depressed. I thought I would be able to get him to forget or create distractions. But after a few days of that discovery, he practically stopped eating, no longer played with his toys, or had any interests in anything but getting to Grayson. It was heartbreaking to watch. The only time he was not searching for a way out was when he was sleeping or exhausted with the effort.

Then it hit me. He's a dog. He won't forget. It had become part of his instinct to get back to his little companion. CoCo was not a dog that could be happy with a lone, quiet, introspective human as his only companion. I know what you're thinking, just get another dog. Well, I always wanted A dog, never 2. My neighbor's situation was not such that she could manage 2 dogs. Her heart is big, she is loving and would have consented to take CoCo if I asked. That's how she is. But I knew that Grayson was the most that she could handle financially, time wise, and well...I just wanted a different life for CoCo.

One Saturday morning it became apparent that CoCo needed more and I had to see that he got it. I was driven. Within 1/2 hour I had found a pet adoption center that could GUARANTEE a home for CoCo with children, another small dog, and a home with safe outside facilities for him to play and grow. I didn't want to sell him, I wanted to find him home.

That was Saturday. By the following Wednesday, 3 days later, CoCo was in that home. He was with a family with 2 boys, a Yorkie, his own room that he shared with the Yorkie, and he slept in the bed with kids.

CoCo is happy. I miss him very much. But I do not miss those big, sad eyes beseeching me to end his loneliness. CoCo is a social dog that requires MUCH attention, stimulation, and activity. I, alone, was not enough for him. He is not Grayson. Grayson is OK with whatever his situation is -- he is simple, easily appeased, and only needs a treat and a toy to be complete.

The lesson here: when choosing a dog, make sure his personality and needs match your own.