Say Halloo to My Little Friend..Follow

...and he's not so little.

Meet Dashiell, my new Brittany Spaniel mix pup I rescued from the Sacramento SPCA yesterday. He may also be part Clydesdale horse. He's 7 months old and has a wonderfully calm temperament, but is full of life and energy. He currently weighs somewhere between 40 and 50 lbs and he's gonna get bigger - his paws are HUGE.

I have been researching dogs on the Internet for a few months and watching as many dog behavior programs on tv to get me re-acclimated with dog care (my last dog passed away thirteen years ago. Since my wife and I split up, I figured now was as good a time as any to head out to a few shelters in Sacramento, where the adoption fees are more affordable than here in the Bay area. I had made a trip out there a few weeks back knowing not to bring any dog home at that time but I knew the SPCA was a really nice facility.

I also looked at the Sacramento Animal Shelter - I went there first in fact, but held off on making a choice until I checked out the SPCA. I was planning on a small to medium-sized dog. There was a cute female beagle who was small (perfect in size) but her baying was a concern for where I currently live. There was also this incredibly well-behaved and sweet little 3-month old black pitbull mix that I might have ended up adopting. Finally, there was a German Shorthaired Pointer that was really sweet, too, but he was really big. So I held off on making a decision there and went to the Sacramento SPCA - I figured if didn't find a dog at the SPCA, I would return to the other shelter and pick up either the beagle or the pit bull mix puppy.

Dashiell (at the time named Mofford by one of the SPCA techs) was dumped off at the local human shelter. This is a pretty common occurrence, apparently. There were some lab/pitbull puppies that were cute, but most of the other dogs didn't really connect with me at the SPCA.

Then I met Dashiell. I didn't plan on getting this big a dog, but I've always liked spaniels especially Clumber Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels, and Brittany Spaniels. I had an English Springer Spaniel years ago, too.

Amidst the noisy din of other dogs in the SPCA barking, he was friendly, sweet, quiet, and just all around cool. He did well on the cat test at the SPCA to ensure that he would be ok around my cat, Ashe - I've had cats and dogs co-existing peacefully before, so I understand the patience and commitment needed for a successful integration process to get them used to each other. Even if he's a sweet and calm dog, he's still a puppy and his enthusiasm could be dangerous for Ashe, so I will do everything to ensure Ashe will be safe and get used to his new big younger sibling.

I almost named my new dog, Harpo, since I hadn't heard him bark once while at the SPCA or on the long drive back to San Francisco. It wasn't until later on at the local PetSmart where I was getting his supplies when he let loose a great deep woof while at the cash register. He was friendly with all the dogs he met there, but I think one of them got him a little too excited and he wanted to play. So he can bark with the best of them, when he feels the need, which, thankfully, is rare. I decided on the name, Dashiell, for a couple of reasons - Dashiell is a French name, so it works since Brittany is a French province. Dashiell Hammett was one of my favorite authors. Finally, Dash and Ashe just seem to be a spiffy combo.

Anyhoo, I've made a huge commitment and life-changing decision. I'm glad I did, too. He keeps me busy and we've met some great folks with their dogs while walking him in the park and at the PetSmart. After my wife left, the house (especially at night) became a really lonely place. I'll get used to being on my own again, but having Dashiell with his unconditional love and companionship has already done wonders for my spirit as well as kicking my *** physically with all the running around we have been doing and will continue to do on a daily basis.

Congrats! Shelter dogs are the best. I found my dog in an alley behind my house, when he was only about three weeks old. Best dog I've ever had.


One question though. Does your dog ever not look stoned?

Thanks all. He's a big boy - I just hope he's not mixed with St. Bernard. Still, even if he was part St. Bernard, I'm prepared - just bought his extra-large crate for traveling and night time crating with a nice soft cushion/pad with some of his toys and a little water bowl. He's got a lot of room in there right now, so he's very comfortable.

He's interested in chewing on pretty much everything, so he's got his own little den for safety when I can't keep my eye on him in the middle of the night. It's also good for keeping him and my cat from harm until they get used to each other better.



Yeah, the sun was really bright yesterday morning when I took those pics with the digital camera - hopefully, my regular camera will get better pics of him.

Buster is beautiful - is he a pointer/lab mix or something? Great markings!

He's 100% Goofy.


As far as we can tell, he's got some bloodhound, pointer, and some lab in him, but we're not sure what else. He's got that kind of silvery hair that makes him look kinda blueish.

Looks like there's some australian/blue heeler in there too.

I grew up with full blood Brittneys.

They are wonderful dogs, smart, alert, great family dogs.

I hope you two have a wonderful time together!

Maybe, but some pointers have that coloring too. Ol' Blue.

My Standard Poodle could kick your Britney Spears Spaniel's a$$.

Totem

You want another one, Smoggy? I've got a purebreed yellow lab, 5 years old, minor (okay, majoy) kidney problems, and a piercing bark that could shatter glass, and she can be all yours.

Hell, I'll even throw in the immunizations for free!

Yeah, they'll put up a huge fuss in front of you. Then one day you'll walk in and they'll be cuddled up together, looking up at you like, "Do you MIND?"