Peanut

This fun little dog bounded up onto our porch Saturday morning. I knew where she lived—the house across the street that seems to have a new puppy every year, but never any older dogs. Dog in arms, I rang the bell.

"I'm trying to get rid of her," said the lady who answered. "You want her?" I'm standing there holding the beast. What am I gonna do? If I say no, she's just gonna kick the dog out again, and I'll see her roaming the neighborhood, a reminder of my moral failures.

No, I, Bleeding Heart Man, will find a home for this dog. Any fantasy about raising a puppy in addition to a nine-month-old and two cats is quickly dispelled. Emails are sent. Appeals are made. We will find a home for Peanut (so named by the missus, a fan of a particular plot point in last season's The Wire).

Peanut started out as a girl. Then I took her to the SPCA shelter, which apparently you can't just do—they're full-up, and anyway you need an appointment. They mentioned that Peanut is a boy. Peanut has been a boy all weekend.

I just took Peanut to the vet, where he was transformed into a girl again by the power of observation. Apparently, I'd be a dream on a blind date. We have a lead (as well as a leash) on ownership. And tonight, all things being equal, life will return to normal. Just in case, though, leave me a comment with an email address if you're looking for a swell little pup who just started her vaccinations.

UPDATE 6/8 Peanut is in a foster home generously provided by the Henrico Humane Society, which if I read the schedule correctly, will be bringing Peanut and other adoptables to the Short Pump Ukrop's on Saturday. Please go check her out if you can, and give this special lady a home!

UPDATE 6/24 Peanut was adopted within an hour of her first adoption stand, by a very nice young family I'm told. Now if the kids who used to own her would stop eyeing me angrily....