Project Kengikat

Dodger, My New Buddy

// January 20th, 2010 // Uncategorized

It’s been a long time since I have had a pet of my own, but when I first moved into this apartment it was something I was so looking forward to. Pets are awesome and can provide companionship to someone who is elderly or just in the need to have some company. Pets are also a great source or love and loyalty.

I’ve been looking for a dog for about two months and I had no idea it would be such a complete nightmare, even with two shelters I went to the outcome was not what I thought it would be and trying to find a dog on craigslist is one of the worst things you can do, however it is possible, but please make sure you are very careful when dealing with people on craiglist. There are plenty of people who run all sorts of scams and animals are not exempt.

After so much searching and disappointment I was able to find a place that has a reputationthat speaks for itself and staff that is simply awesome. My first contact with Animal Advocates Alliance was with Helen. We exchanged a few emails and later that day she called and we talked about the services and even volunteer services the organization offers, nothing at all like the experience I had with someone from something called Baxter and Friends. Helen was open and honest, but made no promises again, nothing like the person I spoke to from Baxter and Friends. Helen did however assure me that someone would be in contact with me soon and she was right.

I first got email from Phillip and about 30 minutes later I got a phone call from him. He answered all my questions and just like Helen was knowledgeable and honest. He even told me about the foster program that Helen told me a little about already. After speaking with Phillip I was sure I would be getting a dog from this organization and there would be no need for me to do anymore searches.

We spoke about possibly fostering Dodger and he emailed me a picture of him. Once I saw the picture I was so sure I would love to foster Dodger. His picture was of him with a basketball jersey on and even a basketball. His eyes were the deal maker for me. I later called to make sure Phillip had received my email and once again I was blown away, because Phillip was again honest about Dodger. He told me that the little guy had a small run in with another dog, but that would not stop me from taking this awesome little dog. He came later that night and he has been with me ever since.

After a few hours of chilling with him I was so sure that I was going to keep him. He didnt cry or have any separation issues when Phillip left. In fact once I was able to get some things done and had the chance to sit down, Dodger sat at the foot of the loveseat until I said it was ok for him to get up. Well not only did he get up with me, he sat next to me and curled up for me to rub his belly. Not long after I heard him snoring and that made me crack up. WOW, a dog that snores, just like me. This was a complete match.

At about 4:15AM Dodger woke me up and to be honest at first I was thinking he was telling me he was ready to go back to Phillip. I tried to get him to jump up on my bed, but each time he would simply jump up, lick my face and jump back down. That’s when I knew he wanted to go out. LOL It took him a while, but he did his business and we can back inside.

It’s been nothing but awesome having Dodger around, he has been such an awesome little guy to have here with me and already he has gone on three outreaches with me and two BBQ’s. His met my two best friends Andy and Tina and on Sunday we spent the day in Brentwood with Tina and Andy and later ended up at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf also in Brentwood. Even with the crowds at the Coffee Bean, Dodger did awesome. He didnt beg or jump or bark at anyone, not even the other “fancy” dogs that were there.

With some encouragement and guidance from Phillip I am have making sure Dodger works on his approach with other dogs and he has been getting better with each walk we go on. In addition he has totally adjusted to his new schedule and has not has one accident in the apartment. Like many of my friend who come over, Dodger love the windows and when we are inside he spends much of his time looking out, the other time he is either sitting in my lap or perched up on the arm chair with one of the crocheted blanket he has fallen in love with. Funny cause he also has one in the back seat of the car as well.

Today Dodger had yet another huge challenge and that was going with me to Skid Row for my Unplugging HIV outreach where we delivered a free prepaid cell phone and also had the chance to sit in a meeting with about 15 residents for about 45 minutes and then speak with residents about their needs and even so one on one time with two residents about their medical needs. In all Dodger did great, but he did jump on a table to go after the lunch of someone who was not paying close attention. Just as he got ready to take a bite I called his name and he quickly got down.

I think Dodger could tell that I had a very long day and my spirit was very heavy when we walked out toward the car. Once inside the car I put my head in my hands and tried very hard not to allow the overwhelming feelings inside of me not to get the best of me, but they did and tears began to fall. Dodger jumped into my lap and tried to lick my face and in that moment I knew I had made the right choice to keep him. He is such a loving dog and a perfect match for me.

It’s been nice to come home from the gym and have Dodger run to the door to greet me with his tail wagging and him jumping up and down and wanting to play. It’s cool how how sits next to me while I work on the laptop or speak on the phone. He barks when I am in the shower and my BlackBerry is going off, almost as if he is telling me “your phone is ringing”

I’ve had so much to get done for this week and today my trip to Skid Row was only supposed to be short, but ended up being over three hours. I love what I do and I have to be so flexible with my time and this is even more true when it comes to doing outreaches and making sure I am available when someone needs to talk, vent, express or just say hello. Today was one of those days where I was tired and my Sickle Cell was bothering me, but I also needed to be there for those who really needed me to “be present” I am so happy that Dodger was there at the end to help me relax and get past the very rough day of helping other people who are in need.

It’s so cool to have a great dog in my life and I am so incredibly thankful to Animal Advocate Alliance, Helen and huge thanks to Phillip for setting me up with such a great little buddy. I know many of you will laugh after reading this part, but I am even going to make some time to help out at animal adoptions for this awesome organization.

So it is official, Dodger is now that my little buddy and the official dog of Do Something Saturday as well as Unplugging HIV outreaches. I’ve already order his Do Something Saturday dog shirt from my Cafe Press site and I cant wait to take him to the beach next month to help me celebrate the 3 year anniversary of the outreach serving homeless people, Do Something Saturday~that empowers people.

If you are looking for a new fury addition to your life, please consider a rescue and if you live here in Los Angeles, please be sure to check out Animal Advocates Alliance. Please visit their website by using the link on the home page of this blog located in the “myfavblogs” on the lower right side. You can also visit the first set of pics of Dodger on my Flickr page which is also located in the “myfavblogs” area on the main page. For those of you who have asked about his stitches, they will come out sometime next week. In the meantime he is doing awesome with them and I no longer have to put the hood on him to prevent him from scratching them.