Saying Goodbye to Puppy

It already sounds like a sad story, doesn't it? My last day with Zora, who I had known since her adoption day when she was just eight weeks of age, was bittersweet. Ironically, that morning together turned out to be our best.

Zora had no idea what was ahead when she left her 12th floor condo, and jumped into the back seat of my car. At 14 weeks of age, she was still skittish walking in the Pearl. It was simply too noisy, too busy, and she was a comical sight as I sometimes dragged her along. Little did Zora know that we were headed over the Broadway Bridge, to the much quieter environs of residential Irvington.

I was on a house sit for Molly, adopted from Golden Bond, a rescue group for Golden Retrievers. Clearly, Molly had been abused, and she was skittish in her own way. But Molly was making great progress, and there were some dogs who didn't set her to barking. Zora and Molly both needed socialization with other dogs, and I saw this as a potential win-win.

Zora and I entered Molly's home from the back. They sniffed each others scent, and then I opened a door. Molly was surprised, and I assured her that Zora was only visiting. Fortunately, there was a lot of tail wagging, on both sides.

The highlight of the morning was extended play time in a huge, enclosed back yard. It was the first time I was able to let Zora off leash, and watch her romp on grass with another dog. Molly's favorite activity is ball playing. Molly chased the ball, and Zora barked with glee as she chased Molly. I savored the moment, witnessing Zora and Molly playfully running freely on a beautiful day. One of those completely perfect moments in time.

Zora's Mom was able to pack, while her dog was enjoying a play date. She had been laid off the prior week, and was now getting ready to move to New Hampshire, where she and her husband had a farm. Daily city noise would be replaced by the sounds of nature. That morning Zora had a taste of the good life to come.

When we returned to the Pearl, I wasn't successful finding street parking, so Zora's Mom came down to retrieve her. It was not the lingering goodbye I had anticipated. Zora was quickly leashed, Ann and I gave each other a quick hug, and then, they were gone. The rushed goodbye did make it a bit easier to leave a puppy I had grown to love, and will never forget. I fought back tears as I headed back over the Broadway Bridge, and comforted myself thinking about Zora in the countryside, running freely, reveling in life, unleashed.

Puppy Love

Her name is Zora. I met her on her first day in her new city home. She was in her travel crate, laying on a blanket, surrounded by toys. At only eight weeks old, all these new sights and sounds were pretty scary. She stuck her head, then a foot, outside her crate, and then backed in again. She did this several times, whimpering her puppy anxiety. I got down on my knees and talked to her. She was one of the cutest pups I've ever seen, with huge feet and floppy ears, which she will one day grow into. The consultation with my new client, Zora's Mom, was longer than usual, since I was captivated by Zora. After all, what's more fun than being around a baby animal?

Two days later, I returned for my first visit to walk and play with Zora. She was simply tuckered out from the adjustment, and the first day without her Mom. She snuggled into my lap and napped. I served as a human heating pad, I suppose. It gave her comfort, and I was glad to provide it. Over the next several days, she was slowly introduced to the busy streets outside her 12th floor apartment. She's reluctant to venture beyond her own home, and it's a comical sight as she is half coaxed, half dragged outdoors. At first, we ventured only as far as the nearest tree. The next day, another tree, another block.

Now it is week two, and Zora is nine weeks old. She is still fearful of being outside, with all the city noises of the Pearl. Today we actually got a half mile walk in, and on the way we found trees without metal grills covering the soil. So Zora got to stand on the earth, as she sniffed. Her puppy cuteness draws attention everywhere we go.

In the coming weeks, surely her courage will emerge, for she is a Great Dane. She will grow into those floppy ears (which will remain uncropped, thank goodness) and big feet. She will stand tall, and people will still stop and stare. She will evolve into an elegant, canine beauty.

I feel blessed to watch her grow, and to get paid to do what I love. Zora is one of those special animals who has already wiggled her way into my heart. She gets my vote for Cutest Puppy in the Pearl.