The Black Labs
September 21, 2010 
That's what we call them.
The Black Labs.
Plural.
Or, when we refer to them singularly, it is Big Black Pup and Little Black Pup.
Because they are.
And we're trying not to name them. Why? Because if we name them, it will spur on my urge to keep them. And we can't have that.
But where did they come from? That's the question.
So.
Driving home from work the other evening (my last day at my very part-time side-gig at a shoe store... I mentioned this yesterday). There they were, running down the ditch. I stopped. Checked for collars/tags. None. Gave them a once-over. A bit on the thin side. Gave it about two seconds of thought, then opened the back door of the car. They climbed in and layed down on the seat. We drove home.
The end.
Except not really. Because now they are here! I have five -- count 'em... five!!! -- male dogs living here on the farm. That's a lot of peeing on trees, people. That evening, I called the sheriff's office and the humane society to report that we had them, in case anyone was (hopefully) looking for them. They are nice, sweet dogs, and it just seemed that someone must be missing them.
And, I think I've mentioned, a couple of weeks ago (sob) my mammoth puppy went missing (sob) and if only someone would've picked her up (sob) and called the appropriate authorities (sob) to get her back to me (sob, sniff, wail, sob, sniff) I would have been so thankful. So, my heart was just full of a desire to do for someone what I so wish someone would have done for me.
But here I sit, three days later, and no one has called to claim them! We figured we'd give it a couple days, hoping that someone would call. Yesterday, I made up my very conflicted mind and called the humane society and left a message that we would like to have someone come pick them up or we could bring them in.
But they haven't called me back.
And The Black Labs are still here.
And Big Black Pup is workin' it.
I had my mind all made up, all day yesterday, that it was simply the best decision for all involved if they went to the humane society. It's a pain in the behind, trying to wrangle this many dogs. Plain and simple. We had been keeping Big Black Pup tied up all the time, because obviously the two of them have the propencity to run away together. Last night, however, I decided it was time for Big Black Pup to have some freedom, so I tied up Little Black Pup instead. I went on about my business, down to the garden...
And Big Black Pup came with me.
To my garden.
And chased a butterfly.
(If you've been reading carefully over the last couple weeks, you'll remember that someone else used to chase butterflies in my garden.)
(Shoot! Now I really am crying!)
And he trotted along with me for the remainder of the evening, when he wasn't coming over to me and looking adoringly.
And right now, he's lying outside the window -- not tied up, but of his own free will -- patiently waiting for me.
Does anyone sense the inner turmoil I'm going through right now?
Why does this keep happening to me?
What?
I pick up too many stray dogs on the side of the road?
Oh.
Reader Comments (6)
Aww, they are beautiful. We have a black lab (female, pup) and a chocolate lab (male, adult). They are such wonderful dogs.
I don't think you pick up too many animals. You just have a heart for them and want to do what's right by them.
Ah, so darn cute. Keeping them, right? : )
You had to go an throw in that last picture? Such a sweet, innocent face--how could you turn them away?
That is a cruel/blessed twist of fate.
They are beautiful. Labs are so sweet natured.
You do have a dilema my friend.
What a bittersweet predicament you are in! Will wait to see which way you go....
I can tell you without a doubt that if I lived in the country, I would adopt every stray dog that wasn't claimed. I am a sucker for lost animals.