It’s a boy!

After deciding it was time to welcome a new dog into our lives we visited the Dogs Home at the weekend to see if the only female dog available might fit the bill.

We’ve only ever had female dogs and the one called JD, a kelpie X sounded ideal. Even the name seemed a good omen given they’re John’s initials!

No idea what she was crossed with but JD was much larger than expected – and looked nothing like a kelpie! She was also too boisterous, with a terrible – and clearly uncontrolled – habit of jumping up. She would almost certainly be too strong and difficult to control when out walking. Sorry JD but you were not the dog for us.

I was surprised when John asked about the male dogs available for adoption. He’s always been very pro female dogs and adamant he wouldn’t have a male. The males were mostly very large dogs and of the staffie or mastiff cross-bred type. No doubt lovely animals but too big for us. I did wonder if so many dogs being surrendered and especially the large dogs – were a reflection of the cost of living crisis. The lovely Dogs Home staff obviously weren’t about to say so definitively, but I got the distinct impression that some of the dogs were there for just that reason. Including the dog we both instantly knew was ‘the one’.

Badger had just returned from being walked when we were introduced to him. This three-year-old male beagle X sniffed and peed his way around the garden as soon as we brought him home but appeared to be remarkably laid back and unfazed otherwise. And quiet. Not a peep out of him. We suspect he grew up initially in a household with chooks as he barely took notice of them when being introduced – which we did with him on a lead. He’s friendly and cuddly and playful, but has still to learn his place at this property is outside, not inside the house.

Badger’s first adoption experience didn’t end well. Apparently he was prone to digging holes. We’ve not seen any evidence of that yet, but it’s early days and he’s not been left alone yet either so time will tell.

Yesterday was Badger’s Day Three with us, and butter still wouldn’t melt. Who could resist those eyes and that face. Several friends have warned of potential character traits that include scarpering at the first opportunity. We learned very quickly that he does indeed have that particular trait. In spades. A lesson that all gates must be closed at all times so there’s no repeat of the unfortunate oversight on the part of someone who shall remain nameless, but who failed to ensure one gate was shut properly. We’d had Badger less than 24 hours too!

All was well in the end but it was down to the magnificent community in our part of the world, with neighbours known and unknown all out looking for him following my Facebook post alerting them to the fact Badger had gone AWOL. With no collar and no tag it could have been a major problem, but thankfully it wasn’t and he was back home within the hour.

So when he saw his chance for a second time yesterday the escapee at least had a tag with his name and a phone number on it. He’d not gone far thankfully having been distracted by the labrador further down the road. They were having a great time chasing each other around the garden – so at least we know Badger is well socialised when it comes to meeting other dogs. Phew.

At this point there is little evidence of the psychological baggage our previous dog Della arrived with, but Badger is certainly going to be a handful, as well as being a delight! Fingers crossed he’ll be a lot more settled after three weeks – an adopted dog’s next step in the three-step process of adjusting to a new home. He’s still not barked!