As I backed into the garage, I could see Lew’s “something’s wrong” face in the window.  I had been battling with myself — should we keep her?  ShelleyShe’s a great dog.  Very sweet.  Incredibly smart.  But she has to be a lot younger than the vet estimated — just too much energy for a four year old.

I was so torn over it that I was hoping something would happen that would make the decision for me.  If Benny and Shelley got into a fight, that would end it.  If they would curl up in a ball together to nap, she’d stay.  By the look on Lew’s face, he’d had to take them to the vet’s to get sewn up.

Both dogs looked fine when he opened the door.  Then I got to hear the story.  Seems that Lew tried to take both dogs for a walk while I wasn’t around to take one of the leashes.  Did I mention that Shelley is an energetic young thing?  Did I mention that she weighs about forty pounds?  Let’s see . . . adding Benny’s weight . . . Lew was trying to walk about 75 pounds of dogs — by himself — for the first time — with a hyper young’un.

According to Lew, even Benny was rolling his eyes over Shelley’s behavior on the leash.  Lew says they didn’t manage to walk very far before he gave up in embarrassment and brought them home.  Hopefully, Abby from around the corner will recover from the meeting with Shelley.  Poor Abby, Benny wanted to greet her as usual, Shelley was pulling Lew across the street, and very shy Abby didn’t know what to make of the newbie.  She and her dad retreated rapidly back home.

I have to admit that it was nice having a dog follow me around the house again.  On Saturday, she climbed in the kennel and napped while I did.  And it was great having a dog jump up and put her paws on my legs and nuzzle me.  We saw signs that she might teach Benny to play — they got along just fine.  She learned to use the dog door as soon as she saw a squirrel outside the window.  And bright!  She knew that the windows all looked out over the yard.  When a squirrel ran from the driveway toward the back, she switched windows to keep it in sight — something I’ve never seen a dog learn so quickly.

But one thing we didn’t think about — who would be teaching whom?  Benny is so eager to get along, that he started copying her behaviors.  One of which was standing in the yard and barking at the neighbors.  Poor Benny had to be fussed at yesterday and today.  Hopefully, he’ll forget that he learned to do that.  Fortunately, he didn’t learn to jump up on people.

Shelley is a very special dog.  I would loved to have kept her.  But I can’t visualize her happy lying quietly in waiting rooms for hours.  She definitely needs a job — something where she can use that incredible brain.  If you have a suggestion, please don’t hesitate to email.  Shelley needs a special life.

We three learned a lot over the weekend.  Benny is much more relaxed than he was last week.  Its sorta like he got a message that this is his place.  Lew learned that he can’t handle an out of control dog.  I learned that I’m not ready to take care of two hefty dogs on my own.

Lew was really broken up about having to say good-bye to Shelley.  He and Benny rode with us back to Foster Mom.  Shelley and Benny touched noses to say good-bye.  Foster Mom, Lew and I all got teary eyed.  The drive home was quiet.

Today has been a day of rest for all three of us.  Foster Mom says Shelley rested today too.