Vader

It was June 2005 when I first met Vader. I was checking the dog walkers list for info on the latest arrivals and read about a new guy who had joined us. According to the walker who took him out for a spin, he was big, handsome and very friendly. As I recall, the actual comment was "he likes to jump on people, and if having 80 pounds of pit bull jump on you makes you nervous, don't walk him. He's just a very happy guy." I remember thinking that it was helpful knowing you were going to be jumped on in advance.

We ended up fostering him until we could find a good home. He was comfortable in his kennel, never peed in the house and was pretty quiet. His manners, however, left a lot to be desired! Poor Vader -- he was so happy to be in a house he romped all around and scared the cats. I discovered quickly, though, that he was very smart and learned very fast. As time went by, he became more of a gentleman. He learned that the upstairs was for the cats but the downstairs was all his. Jumping on me was a big favorite and I was bowled over many times!

I knew that I had to get serious about finding him a home. I posted a classified ad on Petfinder.com at the end of March and I got several serious inquiries. The first was from a lady who was looking for a friend for her dog, Zane. When the dogs met, it was love at first sight! They played, romped and rolled around as if they had been friends for years.

Vader went to his new home on May 12, 2006. My mom went with me to make sure she approved of his new family as well, and when we saw the happy reunion of Zane and Vader, we knew we had made the right choice. Driving home, we shared stories about his antics, cried a little and knew the house would feel empty.

Nancy sent me funny updates all summer about the "bully boys" as she liked to call them. Vader did all his silly tricks for them, loved everyone and charmed the entire neighborhood. I wasn't surprised!

This August, as I was returning from another trip to Albany, I stopped in to see Vader. I hadn't seen him since May. When I walked in the door, he came barreling up to me, jumped right up on me and smiled in my face. I was so happy to see him! He looked wonderful. I mentioned to Nancy that he looked bigger, and so did Zane. Both of them looked sleek, healthy, happy and filled with energy. I had brought a toy and the boys grabbed it, tore it to shreds and romped happily through the house. Vader never stopped smiling; something I loved to see. He never smiled so much when living with me and I knew that he was truly home. Nancy laughed about how they spoil him shamelessly and that everyone who meets Vader wants him! No way, she said, he's her baby now.

I gave Vader a big hug and grabbed that huge head. What a doll, I thought, and how amazing that so many people cared to keep this wonderful dog alive. As I left, I gave Nancy and her sister spontaneous hugs and promised to come back soon. I drove away and cried, grateful that Vader had found a home at last.