He ain't ugly, he's my dog!

For my birthday I told my husband all I wanted was for him to get out of work early and take me out to dinner - sans kids. Instead I got this:

the worlds ugliest mutt - reject from the pound. The picture is deceptively cute. He's scrawny and his hair is all wiry (where he has it - he has a bald streak running the length of his back. We were told it was from a chemical burn he got as a baby). In typical terrier fashion his hair is various colors with some long spots - he desperately needs a trip to the groomers.

Here's the story:
We have been on the dog waiting list at the local humane society for months. Our situation makes it very difficult to find a good match; we have a toddler and a cat - most pound dogs have issues with one or the other - unless your looking for a puppy - and we didn't want to have to train from scratch. My DH has stopped in at least twice a week all spring and summer to see what they have, he checks the website daily.

We got the call the other day and I was nearly tearful thinking of my darling little girl bonding with a sweet little terrier dog. Little did I know that this was NOT the dog of my dreams. Much as is the case with husbands - the reality just didn't measure up with the ideal.

I stopped by while running errands - he was out visiting a nursing home. They suggested we stop back later. So I returned two hours later - DH was in the parking lot waiting. He seemed non-commital - I got worried. We walked over and looked at him. Sad sad dog - but I'm a good mom, committed to my kids happiness. This wasn't about looks. Would he get along with the toddler? We took her to him. He jumped on her (he's twice her height when he's up on his back feet) - scraped her a bit. She screamed. It looked like I might be spared the embarassment of calling this homely creature "my dog". Another try - he tentatively stepped up to her, sniffed her and started licking her - that was it. The boys walked in and took him for a walk - a match made in heaven.

He may be homely - but looks can be decieving. He's *everything* we were looking for in a dog. He's gentle with the baby, patient with 4 boys (7,10, 11, 12) but also playful and energetic. He lays quietly when they're gone. He doesn't tear up the house. He's mostly trained. He understands commands but doesn't usually feel compelled to follow them. He asks to go out during the day but at night even after an 11PM walk he poops in the house - always on the linoleum in the kitchen though (I guess that counts as trained - if you can't hold it - you can't hold it)

I have noted a few problems though - He tested very well with cats, they actually 'borrowed him' to test a few newcomers while we were filling out paperwork. My cat despises him - Fluff hisses and Oscar charges, not a match made in heaven.

His previous owner must have spoiled him - he's on a hunger strike. Apparantly Alpo is below him. I have been able to coax him to eat a little - but as soon as I walk away from his dish he does too.

He somewhere got the impression that he was going to sleep in my bedroom, AND in my bed. He may have gotten the point on that last night. After half and hour and a bit of barking I came out, slapped his snout and told him to shut up. Not another whine was heard.

I think he's trying to butter me up - he keeps hanging around me and is currently wrapped around the bottom of my desk chair sleeping (so I can't move). Last night I was sorting books on the livingroom floor and he sidled up to me , put his head on my leg, then his paw and just laid there. Well OK then - maybe he's a keeper.

I think he resents my intial attitude toward him. He keeps pooping in my shoes.