His name is Bray.

Fridays are typically long days for the girls & I. The day before the weekend starts, the boys are at school & sometimes daddy leaves work early, but we never know quite when he'll head home. So we hang out, trying to find things to do to kill the time. A week ago last Friday, we headed to a Ft. Worth Humane Society.

We walked around aw'ing over the dogs, while covering our ears due to unbelievable loud barking, caused by the vast amount of dogs at the shelter. Employees & volunteers who work at animal shelters don't get enough praise. Even though that is something I would love to do, my heart just can't take it. Visiting animal shelters breaks ones heart in half.

As we were leaving, a volunteer walked in carrying a small dog. I looked at the dog & asked the guy if the dog was going to be placed on the floor. He said yes. We gave him some time & then went back to peek at the dog.

His tag claimed "Yorkie Mix", but to me, he looked like a purebred Silky Terrier (part of the Yorkie family). I said a few words to him - he was so scared. Trembling. I opened his cage & picked him up. I kid you not when I tell you - he wrapped his front legs around my arm as tight as he could, as if to say please lady, don't leave me here. He was so frightened, it just broke my heart. I pet him & put him back in his cage. I snapped a photo & emailed it to hubby. Before we left, I went back & got him & took him outside on a leash. He walked perfectly on the leash, & the girls didn't bother him one bit. Sadly, I put him back in his cage. We left.

I got the girls all buckled in, when my phone rang. "He's cute" hubby said. Yes, he is. But we've had horrible luck with dogs. To be quite frank, the thought of even attempting to get another dog scared all of us. It just wasn't a road I was ready to travel.

The girls were watching a movie, so in the parking lot I googled Silky Terriers. Read some information on them. Non-shedding caught my attention. Hmm. We now know, we need a hypoallergenic dog. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Even though long flowing hair, Silky Terriers do not shed. Photos also confirmed that he was indeed a purebred.

I sat in the parking lot & contemplated. For like, 30 minutes. Talked with hubby. Contemplated some more. Jaguar kept saying she wanted the dog. I just wasn't sure. Finally, I agreed. We all unbuckled, again, only for me to change my mind & buckle the girls back up. We drove off before I could change my mind again.

It was over a 30 minute drive in heavy, Friday traffic. I thought about him the entire way. Finally, I picked up my phone & phoned the Humane Society. "Can I pay for him over the phone, please?" "I'm sorry, but we can't do that." Crap! I still had to feed the girls lunch & retrieve the boys from school before I could head all the way back. I asked the girls at the shelter to secretly hold him for me, as it would be a few hours before I could return. They told me Fridays are usually slow days & they were sure he would still be there. And if he wasn't? Then it wasn't meant to be.

I ran home & grabbed a sippy cup. Ran thru McDonald's. Waited very impatiently in the pick up line to retrieve the boys. Phoned the shelter to make sure he was still there. He was. Hubby told me a back way to avoid the interstate(s). Off we went.

And now we have Bray. Ü

Bray is sick. I knew something was wrong because I just knew he had a fever. The night before his vet appointment, his fever was so high he was shaking. We made it thru the night & the next morning the vet confirmed that he has Kennel Cough, & it had turned into pneumonia. He has been on antibiotics for 6 days now. I want to say he is improving, but the dog is so laid back, I can't really tell. Ü He is coughing that horrific cough less frequently, & there is no fever, so I know something's happening.

The vet thinks he is about 4 or 5. Already neutered. Already housebroken. He has the longest nails I have ever seen on a dog, & they, as well as his paw pads, are immaculate. He has beautiful teeth. He has been someone's pet, well taken care of - which partly explains why the shelter traumatized him so. He is the most perfect dog & an awesome bed sleeper! Ü

He also has a trick. When we first saw him do it, we all kind of looked at each other & said "oh wow, look what he can do!" LOL Never had a dog than can do a trick before. I'll try to get a photo when he feels better. Right now, I just want the cutie-patootie to get well.

(And yes, I got him the evening hubby fell ill! It was not easy, on top of hubby's sudden condition, but we made it. :)