How we came to get our dog, Marley (12/6/91- 12/9/91)

And so, on a magic Friday, when we both had "off" Judy says "why don't we go down to the City Pound today and see if they have any dogs? Hey, what'cha say? And me, sitting upon our sit upon

says "sure" knowing that the trip means another dog, for sure. We leave, but not before she calls

to find out there's a little poodle/terrier who doesn't belong here (says the woman who answered the phone).

The drive is short, but long, and Central Avenue is about where it's suppose to be according

to the map and for sure as I pick up this little, wet, scared dog he hugs me with his front paws and won't let go. I knew it, I knew it.

We can't get him until the following Monday morning because he, at four months old, has to serve his seven days in case the owner comes to get him. "Looks like a vacation day for me on Monday", says I.

I woke up early Monday morning, so as not to be late picking up our dog, and at a quarter past eight left for the nine o'clock opening. I didn't want to fight anyone for our dog, but the policy of first come, first serve could have led to someone else arriving first and stealing our rightful selection. Parking just in front of the Pound at just about half past eight, another van pulled up, thirty seconds AFTER me. A man and a woman looked at me through the windshield and I could hear them thinking does he want the same one?

I put on my Bob Marley tape and thought “let's see, there are two hundred dogs in there, and two of us, so the odds are slight we want the same one, but still.” At quarter to nine I had to know, so I got out of the car and second in line.

His name was Jessie and he'd left for the Pound before me because of the long drive from farm country. He said "are you here for the Newfoundland?" "No, the poodle/terrier' says I and we hugged each other.

He thought, and I thought, and we talked about it, that perhaps Pound Procedures promote this type of behavior. We picked up Marley, named him after Bob, and he has been with us now for a week or so, and turns himself inside out due to love and happiness.

We both know what a miracle it was to find him and really, how wonderful it is to have a dog again.

We are, both Judy and me, and Marley, together.

December 16th. 1991.