Louis Leaves Frogpond

Less than a week after we rescued Louis and brought him home, we realized that integrating him into our lives here at Frogpond was going to be difficult.  At the heart of it was that Louis needed more constant human companionship than we could give him -- he's just that sort of dog.  Nonetheless, it still wouldn't have been easy to give him up, except that the perfect family for him materialized.  One of my mom helpers came to school to pick up her son after class and she was carrying the ancient family poodle, just back from the groomers.  The poodle lay curled in the crook of her arm like a royal baby and I laughed and asked if she'd like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel -- and her eyes lit up and she said yes, she'd always wanted one.  All righty then!

So this morning the whole family, mom, dad, and the four children, showed up to meet and greet Louis and to take him home.  The children are wonderful -- kind, gentle and well-mannered.  We all took a walk to the pond and Louis was in his element, giving kisses, trotting on the end of his leash and loving being the center of the universe. 

When everyone gathered at their car to leave, I crouched down and held Louis' face in my hands and told him to be a good boy and take care of his children. He looked up at me with those earnest brown spaniel eyes and he seemed calm and happy.  But still it was hard to say goodbye.  I bravely kissed the white spot on the top of his head and then, without a backward glance, he hopped up into the backseat with the children.  And off they went with waves and thank yous.

I'm certain that Louis will have a good life with them.  {very small sigh}