A Visit with Chai

As I waited for the kennel worker to put dogs away and clean the play yard for Chai and I, I spotted her. She was bouncing off the ground to see over the kennel to where I was standing. She had heard my voice and was jumping in excitement. She is such an athletic girl. I was excited to see her too!

She ran into the play yard and I followed. She play bowed and bounced around with made me so happy. In my bag was her favorite treat - cheese! And not just any cheese, mozzarella and monterey jack. I sat in the shade and she happily joined me for some lovin'. It was apparent she had not been touched since the last time I saw her. She immediately turned her body into me to rub her back and leaned in. A quick kiss on the chin and she sat down beside me. Her fur was flying off her body and I could see dandruff in her coat, all signs of stress. We sat for awhile and just enjoyed each other's company.

Kennel workers with hoses walked by and she quickly moved away from me, keeping a keen eye on the hose. I think she has experience with that hose. To see her move away from the workers each time they come near the outside run only reiterates to me the fact that she needs out of here. The kennel is wonderful to keep her for us and to care for her, but she needs to be in a home. She doesn't deserve this.

Chai is such a doll; a sweet, misunderstood girl. She trusts me, but that's because we have built a relationship over the last year. She just needs a chance. Someone that understands her for who she is, lets her move at her own pace and that she can trust to love her forever. That is my sincere hope for Chai.

As my visit went on, her shedding decreased and the dandruff went away. She was calming down and enjoying herself. We played, trained, but mostly sat together as I rubbed her back. Chai gave me lots of kisses throughout the visit, her gratitude for my visit reinforced the fact that I need to be there for her. When it was time to leave, I gave her a bull stick to chew on and said good-bye to her sad face as I walked away from her kennel.

As I drove away, tears filled my eyes. I hate to have to leave her. I can't take her into my home, but there are things I can do for her. So I decided to start this blog. I'm determined to find a home and not just a home, but a great home, for Chai.