Sparky Is Completely My Fault

Thirteen years ago, my two sons were pestering me to get another dog. It had been two years since we had to put down our previous mutt who had lived a long and happy life, but was old, sick and ready to go. I was so heartbroken, I wasn’t sure I ever wanted another dog. But I agreed to take my sons to the animal shelter to LOOK.

“Boys, we are only looking. We are not getting a dog yet, so don’t get your hopes up. We are NOT going home with a dog today,” I emphasized.

I explained to the volunteer at the shelter that we were “just looking” and wanted to meet a few dogs. She told us she knew just which dog to introduce to us and a few minutes later she came out with a 60 pound black and white mutt with big brown eyes.

“This is a phenomenal dog,” she said enthusiastically.

I looked at Sparky. Having been in the shelter for several months, he was overweight and a little hyper on the leash.

“His family got him here as a puppy, but they had to bring him back because they were moving out of state,” the volunteer explained.

I didn’t know whether or not to believe this story. Sometimes I wonder if shelters make up good stories to market their animals, but I guess it didn’t matter. Although I was adamant that we weren’t going home with a dog, I caved. Sparky came home with us.

Being an avid runner, I tried to take him for a run. He was so overweight and out of shape from being in the shelter, he could barely go a mile or two before he sat his fat little bottom down as if he couldn’t possibly take another step. We took it easy at first, but soon running became the highlight of his day. He lost 10 pounds and became a sleek, active, healthy dog. He still runs with my husband and I. People who see him running with us on the trail can barely believe he’s almost 15 years old.

Sparky has a sweet, loyal, loving disposition. He is the happiest “person” I know.

Right now I’m looking at him lying on his cushiony dog bed. It’s early, but he already went for a 2 mile run and ate his breakfast this morning. He is relaxed, comfy and starting to snore, which is always ridiculous and funny when it comes from a dog.

The volunteer at the animal shelter was right. Sparky is a phenomenal dog. He has been a wonderful part of our family and we all love him.

It’s completely my fault.

I’m so glad.

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Ann K. Howley is the award-winning author of Confessions of a Do-Gooder Gone Bad.

Please visit her website at http://annkhowley.com/#about-ann