Leaps & Bounds

As some (or maybe all) of you may know, we are currently fostering an adorable puppy dog.  A Miniature Pinscher, perhaps a year old, give or take a month or so.  He was found romping around the neighborhood 12 days ago, and he seemed to be in such great condition everyone was sure that he had freed himself from his own yard and gone for a stroll by himself.
We housed him in a garage, fed and watered him, ensured he had plenty of toys, and went about doing what we could to locate his owners.  After the first 3 days I called every vet in town, the humane society and the animal control center, and no one had reported this cute little guy missing!  I know if I lost one of my dogs I wouldn't be able to sleep until they were found; why has no one been looking for him?  We printed color flyers with photographs and our phone number and put them in about 100 mailboxes in the vicinity.  (About 3 years ago we found a dog here in the Hood and printed flyers; Copper's owners called within a few hours.)  The little guy was taken to the vet and scanned for a microchip, none was present.  He's happy, healthy, active, and well-mannered!  Where are his parents?

Ads were posted on Craigslist and Facebook, and I did get a response from Craigslist after a day or so.  Someone offered to be his parent if the owners didn't come forward!  I was relieved; no one in the Hood could take him; none of our friends were able to take him in.

We named him Martin; I call him Marty.  Marty got a new home yesterday afternoon, when he met a perfect stranger from Craigslist.  Hopefully the guy isn't a new breed of Craigslist killer.  After all, watching Marty bounce happily across the yard, and wiggle and squirm until he's found a comfy place on your lap just makes your heart melt.  Such a sweet and perfect little dog deserves a happy and lively home.

I'll miss you, Marty, even though I was tired of you being in the garage.
I'll miss you, Marty, even though I had to get dressed at 6am to let you out on a leash.
I'll miss you, Marty, even though Izzy & Molly won't.

I hope Paul is a great dad for you.  You deserve it.  I love you, Marty!