Ripken, also now known as
Rippie, is a strikingly handsome sable GSD.
When people ask me how old he is, I like to tell them he is 7, going on
2. He is very active and healthy and
happy, and just when you think he is distinguished and mature, he will do
something just a little naughty, like take your cookies that you left unguarded
on the table. Then, he will look at you
with his beautiful brown eyes and explain that it was your fault for putting
them within his reach and then not paying attention because you were watching
the news. And… then, he’ll ask for
another cookie because it was very tasty.
We’ve
had the privilege of fostering Ripken for 3 months now. When he came to us, he was polite, but
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| Rippie - looking for his forever family |
distant. Now he’s happy and healthy and
demands to be loved for his inimitable self.
He’s a little bossy and a little pushy, and, dare I say it, a little
loud at times, but I know that a good walk cures all that. He has trained me well. I know his likes (treats, sleeping on the
couch, chasing varmints, riding in the car with the windows down and being
brushed) and his dislikes (cats, the vacuum cleaner, staying up late, and not
being the center of attention).
Ripken
has given me the opportunity to once again help a dog that has lost his way get
back on his feet and headed in the right direction. As a foster home, I consider it my privilege
to offer my home, my time, and my love to these dogs that have lost
everything. The come to us with
nothing. Sometimes, they don’t even know
how to trust humans. Inevitably, though,
the miracle happens. There is the
lingering look, maybe a sloppy kiss, or a furry head placed in a lap that says
“Thanks.” It’s always that simple. That’s when I know they are ready to meet
their forever family.
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| Inquisitive Ripken |
Ripken
is ready. He wants his own family
now. He particularly wants his own
family to not have other dogs, as he doesn’t want to compete for
attention. I haven’t even begun to
explore the potential of this fine dog.
That is the reward he will offer to the people who will make him theirs.
In
return for all that we do for Ripken, he rewards us with gentle kisses and the
kind of look that gives me goose bumps, for I know that he understands that we
are helping him along his journey, and that, my friends, makes life good.
