The Search for Lennie (Part 1) <<2009-04-26 / 7:00 p.m.>>
I had originally intended on naming my next dog after one of the characters on Law & Order: SVU, either 'Benson' or 'Stabler'. But that didn't happen by obvious reference to the title of this entry. No... Little did I know as I travelled several hours North to the capital city, Seoul, that the dog I was going to see wasn't the dog I'd be signing papers for. Chalk it up to destiny (and my obsession to adopt a dog ASAP).
While spending the night in a dive motel in Houston on my trip back to Korea (it had free internet), I happened upon a English language message board requesting foster and adoptive homes for strays in South Korea. One little tramp in particular caught my eye...
He was perfect! And he reminded me of my childhood dog that had passed away a few years ago (I know what they say about getting a dog that resembles a dead one from your past, but Santa was love at first jpeg sight!!)
Like North America, South Korea has a 2 week rule: a stray has just 14 days to find a home or he'll see the end of a needle. There are LOTS of strays in South Korea (registering and spaying/neutering an animal aren't mandatory) and dogs run wild in packs. This was such a case for a brown poodle-maltese and his two sisters: found wandering around Namyang station (near Itaewon), 3 skinny, filthy puppies were brought into The Dr. Pet clinic infected with the Parvo virus. The attending Doctor, a devoted Korean veterinarian (they do exist!), saved their lives.
Our destinies drew closer as one by one the female pups were adopted. The brown boy pup was passed over. Not to worry though: this particular Doctor didn't euthanize any of his dogs; he kept them for months and months until he located safe homes for them. And he spoiled them rotten in the meantime!
So I happened in a few days prior to the spring semester at the college. My eyes fell upon Santa: he had just hijacked a jerky treat from another dog. I stuck my hand out to pet him and he nipped! Bastard! I tried to coax him on my lap, but he wouldn't have that. Picking him up by force only made him bark and nip a lot harder. No--inside the body of that cute white dog was a very mean lion. Santa was a total lose. My heart was crushed.
I was so blue I hadn't noticed a brown puppy pawing my leg. He wanted up!
My eyes are stinging at the moment that I'm typing this entry (the memory is overwhelming me): that little brown puppy was so beautiful, inside and out! He didn't bark, or bite, or steal from the other dogs. He was just... happy.
I clutched the puppy to my chest, eyeing the other customers apprehensively.
This puppy was mine!
I quickly caught the Doctor's eye, dog pressed tightly against my collarbone, and announced, "If this dog is up for adoption, I want him." The good Doctor smiled. "I will get you the papers," he said.
And that was that. But I had to wait overnight since my arrangements were not to leave until the next day. The COEX location in Seoul boasts many fine hotels. I was excited about my trip and in a rare instance of monetary self-indulgence, I booked myself at the Ramada Seoul. Sweeeeeeeet!
Now I had to think of a name. This brown doggy seemed too kind to be a 'Stabler'... But too manly to be a 'Benson'...
Hmmm...
~ Love,
Frenzy