Oli is coming to us Sunday
Oli is on his way to Oregon as I type this. We pick him up in a Dicks parking lot on Sunday morning. After six and a half years of having a sleepy 15 lb dog, I am nervous that I will not be a good enough parent to a German shepherd, husky mix. There’s a lot of psychological analysis that my therapist could unpack on why I feel that way, but at the end of the day, I want to give Oli the healthiest, happiest life possible.
Getting a second dog was not as spur of the moment as it may have seemed from the outside. My husband and I agreed that we would get another dachshund at the beginning of 2027. That plan began to morph into something else once Syd got Whiskey and I realized that I was missing having a large dog in my life. We grew up with a German shepherd, Schultz, as little kids and when I was in middle school we got a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and the first love of my life, Nala.
Nala was my running partner, my snuggle buddy, and my best friend for so many years. Being around Whiskey made me realize that while I love Frankie with all my heart, I am missing having the kind of dog that helps one get off the couch as opposed to Frankie who wants to lay under the blankets with you all day.
Fast forward to the Oregon Humane Society’s Doggie Dash in Portland. We walked from dragon boat practice to the waterfront park with Whiskey and Frankie to get some free dog treats and donate some money. While checking out the booths, I met an incredibly sweet Doberman that melted my heart. While he and I weren’t meant for each other, that did spur the conversation between my husband and I about getting a large dog and getting one soon.
I stepped into that conversation ready to debate, argue, plead, compromise, whatever… and to my surprise, Raymond knew my mind already and agreed almost immediately.
Fast forward another week and a half of searching for a big dog that can put in the miles, is good with cats, and likes other dogs (harder than you’d think). I found Oli at All Joy 4 Paws in Southern California and everything just fit. The one thing is that I’ve only seen pictures and heard about him. Adopting from a local shelter seems easier because you can meet the animal and get a sense of their temperament. It feels like I’ve taken a gamble with Oli and I’m hoping and praying that he will fit right in with the family we’ve made for ourselves.
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