Well, after a long day at the office (at one point today I was sure that time was actually standing still) that ended with a guy ranting on the phone at me for nearly 20 minutes, I was ready to get the hell away from the office. I was dead tired, but wanted to run over to the lab and pick up my photos on the way home.

Instead, I got outside the office building and found a stray dog. It was a little girl doggie. Not sure what breed, whether she was maltese or pekinese (or a mix), she had long blonde hair and a pug nose. She looked like she had been well cared-for: The hair over her eyes was trimmed, her coat was in pretty good condition, she felt a little heavy for her size (so I'm guessing/hoping she was well-fed) and her teeth and ears looked great. I coaxed her over and tried to find a collar, but she had nothing. There is an affiliate of the SPCA across the street from my office building so I gathered the dog and put her in my car and went across the street.

I went into the building and asked the young woman at the front desk what the options were. I certainly couldn't bring the doggie home because 1) Simon and Billie would freak, 2) She'd have to be checked out by the vet first, 3) I'm not sure if they'd even let me have a small dog at the apartment--though I have seen one in someone's apartment--and 4) Simon and Billie would FREAK. So, besides that, there was the SPCA, but they only take owner-surrenders, not strays. That left the Oakland Animal Shelter.

I NEVER feel good about bringing an animal to the pound. I really really didn't want to take this sweet dog to the shelter (she and I had bonded within two minutes). I drove back to my office building and went around one more time, asking if anyone had come round looking for their dog. Nope. I went to get back into my car (and I gotta say my Luna was made for taking trips with doggies!) and this Sweet Little Blonde Girl doggie was in my driver's seat wagging her entire butt! We drove over to the Oakland shelter and I petted her and wept the whole way over. Like I said, I'm not very strong and stoic when it comes to leaving an animal at the shelter. I wanted to bring this sweet creature home with me so badly. Being sort of a stray dog myself, it breaks my heart to think this dog won't have a home tonight, no human to snuggle with...and that I couldn't fix it for her (and, being honest, fix it for me too).

The people at the Oakland shelter were super nice and they too fell in love with The Sweet Little Blonde Girl immediately. The guy at the counter looked her over and agreed with me that someone had been looking after this dog. While the guy at the counter was doing the intake, a woman that I'm guessing either works or volunteers there kept trying to assure me that I was doing the right thing leaving her with them. Meanwhile, Sweet Little Blonde Girl kept snuggling into me, which just made the situation SUCK THAT MUCH MORE! The intake guy said they had to keep the dog for seven days to see if an owner shows up, then she'll get put through some socialization tests to see how she might get along with kids and other animals and if all goes well there she'll be put up for adoption. He seems to think that, with Sweet Little Blonde Girl's great personality plus the fact that she's a small-breed dog, she should have no problem finding a new home. I really hope he's right.

As heartbroken as I am right now that I couldn't give the Sweet Little Blonde Girl dog at least a temporary home (until her owner or a better home could be found), I pray that I did the right thing by her and that she finds the most wonderful home, ever. I'm grateful to have had her in my life for 40 minutes. It sure was great holding that bundle of sweet puppy energy in my arms. I hope some lucky family gets to feel that wonderful feeling soon.