Excused Absence!

I know that I always say that it's a whirlwind at our house, but for more than a week, or the past month for that matter, it really has been.

~The road to our house~

When we turned the corner for last week, it brought Simba to the front. You'll recall that while "couple number 2" or  D&A liked Simba, we really needed a more formal visit for them to get to know him a bit better.  We also needed time to talk more about his specific needs, and most importantly of all, he needed to meet their nine free range chickens.

After talking to several people, I was really worried that D&A may lose a chicken or two with Simba around.  So, on Sunday morning we put Simba to the test. What I thought was going to be a free-for-all for Simba to run after and terrorize the chickens, wasn't that at all. D&A were so prepared and ready with a temporary fence, and a good solid plan to keep their hens safe. In the end, none of them were harmed, and everyone was happy and I was enormously relieved!

~Simba looking a little worried about the chicken-test~

After nearly 2 hours of visiting with them, we decided we would all think about Simba coming to live with them. But I had nothing to think about.  During our visit I felt that they were all a good match for each other. He responded so well to D&A, and there was no doubt they were crazy about him. To not put any pressure on them, I sent an e-mail and only thanked them for letting us come to visit.  In return, later that evening, I received an e-mail outlining all their pros and cons in Simba coming to live with them, (there were more pros than cons) that included their saying they respected whatever I decided to do.

I will admit, that I thought a lot about keeping Simba. How could I not?  But my friend who told me about him, reminded me that living with us, Simba could not be "a star" because we already have one or two.  Living with D&A means that he will be. She was right, and he deserves that chance to be a star.

So, yesterday, Simba left us for his new forever home. Simba and Rhett (Chief?) got along really well and they enjoyed playing with one another.  Simba was great fun to have around, and there was no doubt that his energy brought in some needed fresh air to our quiet and kinda stale household. He is missed!!

My first reports from D&A let me know there was a glitch that first night.

Below is their e-mail;

The first night was too lonely for him. He missed you, your house, your pups, etc.  

But, night 2 went much better as we went to Plan B. (In fact we talked about having him in our room the first night, but decided that keeping his crate routine might be beneficial the first night.)  Rather than crating him, we gated him into our bedroom and he slept, all night, on the dog bed. In fact, we had to wake him up!  We’re really, really happy to have this bedroom routine in place, though, and now that he knows his bed, our room, etc., we’re confident he’ll settle in nicely as the old people go to bed.

Yes. Boring he is not.  Right now, he is rolling his peanut butter kong around, part in play, part in finding new ways to wedge residual tasty out of it. Drool is involved.  Cats are coping well. Chickens will take more time, though, we visit the chicken yard regularly. I showed him an egg yesterday to help him understand why we want to keep the girls hale and hardy. Sadly, he was unimpressed.

I sure feel the uplift of having him in our lives.  Truly.  All the walks have been as much for our benefit as his! And, he is such a happy lad to begin with, its infectious.

It's not an over-the-top and glowing update singing his praises. But then, they are not an over the top couple either.  They are quiet, thoughtful, devoted and kind.  I think they're all settling in and will be just fine - Don't you think?

Finally, here at home, we're all exhausted.

But in having Simba around, the needs of the rest of our crew have been a little overlooked.  It's time to catch up and focus on them.  Bailey and Rhett were off to the vet on Thursday.

~Rhett on our way to the vet~

  In my next post, I'll update you on them.  Enjoy your Saturday!

~Bailey at the vet~