Fur, Feathers & Scales Adopting a Pet: Eevee's story

She came into our life as a wet, shivering little puppy left in a cardboard box on the side of the road. We did not plan on keeping her - oh no. We were just going to care for her until a true dog person could be found. And yet, before two weeks had gone by, we realized that we didn’t want someone to come and take her home. She was home. She was ours.

Adopting a pet is a lot like bringing home a new family member, with additional expenses, wakeful nights and new demands and responsibilities.

I didn’t want the extra cleaning and physical and mental effort that came with having a dog. But she needed a home, the children promised to do their share, and she was so tiny and precious. I could not say no.

We have learned a lot about Eevee since she arrived. She’s a very sociable girl, and she loves to play with her friends. She visits the dog park almost every day, schedule permitting, and takes us on several walks. She loves to dawdle and sniff, and she follows her nose wherever she goes. Eevee is a happy girl who howls with delight whenever her most-loved friends are near.

When she’s at home, Eevee loves to poke her nose through the curtains and watch the passersby … especially if those passing by are squirrels. She leaves nose prints on windows and dashes from one to the next for a better view.

She likes to ride in the car, especially when the window is rolled down a bit so she can take in all the wonderful smells that stream in. She sheds a fair amount, but she is not a big drooler, and for this we are truly thankful.

When she was a puppy she nipped and gnawed on everything. As she grows up, she is more and more content to chew on toys and bones instead of shoes and table legs. She likes to sleep on a warm, recently-vacated chair. She will try every trick in the book to lure us out of our comfortable