“Home for the Holidays”

Dear Readers,

It was a cold barely drizzling Sunday morning and I was at the Irvine Animal Shelter “Home for the Holidays” Pet Adoption Fair. My foster mom was there with me and 2 other Great Pyrenees. I remember her giving us a pep talk in the morning, encouraging us to be friendly to all the new people we would meet all day. I didn’t know what was going on. I just knew that I didn’t have a “real” family anymore. It had been 2 months since my old family dropped me off at the shelter and my foster mom came to get me. Why didn’t my family love me anymore? I was confused and hurt and sad.

But after a few weeks at my foster mom’s home I was content with my new life. I had new friends to play with. My foster mom has 2 Great Pyrenees just like me and 3 cats. But I was still missing something. A real family.

I met a lot of people that morning. But I knew as soon as Clara and Todd came around the corner, I needed to make a good impression. They almost didn’t stop. I think my size made them wary. I promise! It’s all fur. I walked right up to them and when Clara pet me for the first time, I knew she’d fallen in love. Todd took a little more time. I could tell he’s the more realistic one. I remember him asking a lot of questions.

How much does she eat? About 40 lbs of dry food a month
How much does she weigh? About 85lbs
How much exercise does she need? At least 30 minute walk everyday
Does she shed alot? Yes, you should brush her every other day.
How old is she? Estimating about 5-6 years old
Does she bark a lot? Every dog barks but she’s not an excessive barker.

Clara whispered in my ear not to worry. She explained that it was a good sign that Todd was asking a lot of questions. Eventually something just clicked and he fell in love with me too.

It took 7 days for the adoption to become final. But I’m finally home.

They named me Andorra.

My new mom says to forgive my new dad. He’s a BIG nerd. Only he would know that the Pyrenees are a mountain range that divide France and Spain and between the 2 countries, there is a teeny tiny country called Andorra. And that’s how I got my name. Mom said she’s calling me Dorra for short though. Dad says that he won’t shorten it. My new parents are so silly. I love them already.

Woof,
Andorra The Dog