I went down to the Caruthersville Humane Society to photograph their pets for adoption this evening. I always have an exceptional time when visiting the shelter although this start of the visit began sadly.

As soon as I walked in the door a lady walked in with a 6 month old St. Bernard Puppy. It was obvious she was distraught; she was surrendering her puppy. She had become ill and said she just couldn't care for him any longer. She gave Erma all his information, including registration papers, vet records, personality traits, likes and dislikes. She was able to hold out until right before she left, and handed the leash to Leslie.

I only turned for a split second but she quickly turned and rushed out through the door. Surrendering her pet was tearing her apart and I felt awful for her. I am sure she cried all the way home, and then some.

I immediately thought of my friend Penny who'd been telling me for almost two years that she would love to have a St. Bernard pup. Penny's husband had just passed away a few months earlier and somehow I just knew this was the right time. I knew this was the dog for Penny. He was sweet, well behaved, so loving, and absolutely adorable.

I snapped a quick pic of him with my cell phone, and not a very good one at that, and sent it to Penny. Before I could send the second text to give her details she had replied "I want him!" I told her to come to the shelter the next day to meet him and she replied again "I don't need to meet him, I want him". 

Knowing Penny does not make rash decision I knew this beautiful boy had a home.

I asked Erma how we could work this out and she said everything would be simple.

I went on about photographing the shelter pets for their adoption photos, and even had time to video the two most adorable puppies, playing full force.

And when I was finished with everything I called Penny. I asked her if she was really sure she wanted a pup she hadn't met and she assured me it was love at first sight. She told me to hurry home; she couldn't wait to meet Jack.

While I was playing with the puppies and my video camera, the girls at the shelter got Jack all fixed up and ready to go. I signed for his paperwork and gathered up the adoption paperwork Penny needed to make everything complete: his papers and a bag of food to get him started. It was a done deal.

When I put the leash on him you could tell this baby had been on more than one car ride. We walked to my car and when I opened the door for him to get in, he looked at me a bit hesitant. I can't say I blame him; he was a sizable "puppy" weighing over 50 lbs at only 6 months.

He did get into the car with little effort, and his awkward stature made him a little uneasy the first few miles of the trip home. He did after all, take up the entire back seat.

More than once Jack thought he should be in the front seat with me but with creative use of a child's booster seat I managed to coral him. It made things cozy enough for him on his blanket, and with a couple of toys to chew n on, that he settled down and enjoyed the almost 2 hour ride to the house. 

Penny was a patient girl and only called me twice during the trip :-)

As soon as I pulled up in Penny's driveway Jack was ready for potty break. I was in the yard with him when Penny came to the door and asked what on earth was taking me so long. I'll bet she counted the minutes from the time I left the shelter.

Jack took his time sniffing everything in sight as I repeated "home". When he wagged his tale and seemed comfortable, we went in the house to meet his new family.

And I said all that to show you this........just click the arrow to play the slideshow :-) You won't be disappointed!

Magic does happen!