A few weeks ago when the Craigslist Posse contacted me about what they deemed a puppy in need- my first thought was “I am a cat rescuer, what do I need with a puppy?” But, when I visited the post and saw this dog, it was love at first sight and off I went to the home to see what was up.

The couple were more intent on selling the dog then concerned about his well being. No questions were asked of me of what type of home I had, what I had planned for the dog, nothing… Soon, several hundred dollars lighter, I had a “mutt” in my truck and was bound for home. I couldn’t leave him where he was, it was not a good place.

Once home, after a first initial few fights with Roscoe an alpha kitten, he settled into life with the Miller’s. But being a cross-breed- we soon ran into trouble. Remington had a huge prey drive evident especially when we were outside and he spied barn cats by the droves.

His first trick after being scolded for running after them was to discover where they hid (usually a thick cover of brambles in the middle of our yard) He is one smart puppy. So, he would take off in a run and do laps around the brushes until he “flushed” one out of hiding- then the game was on!

Disciplining him became a challenge because he was already showing signs of being mistreated. He was playing, he wanted to run- it was the husky-lab mix playing tug-of-war with his reasoning. He knew it was “wrong” but it was “oh so much fun!”

My cats were not amused and I was already stressed. This was not a good match. Everything I tried to curtail this game failed. We ended up building an enclosure for him so he couldn’t go after the cats. He didn’t chase them inside the house, just the ones outside.

He had been here long enough to learn the rules. He knew he couldn’t go past the creek, that the front yard was “off limits” and the sound of my keys meant he could go for a drive with me. he was smart, trainable (except for the chasing) and sweet as could be, but not for us. I was beginning to wonder why I was so crazy to think a puppy is a good idea at this time.

Finally, I decided to put him on craigslist, and because of his age- the fact we had him neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, he got plenty of interest. I turned down four families who wanted him. He is a puppy with challenges and needed the right home.

Last night, after visiting yet another family (who turned out to have triplets 8 months old) and they too were disappointed to find out this high-energy pup wasn’t to be theirs. I got a call about 7:00. The man said his name was Michael. He was a recent disabled veteran (wounded in Afghanistan) He had seen the ad (now about 9 days old) and wondered if we might still have that puppy?

I was supposed to take Remy to see a lady in NE Salem the following day. She was the last on the list of interested parties. However, her dog knowledge was pretty limited. She didn’t know what “crate training” was and she kept saying on the phone that she wanted to “try him out for a few days.” He isn’t a used car, he is a 5 and a half month old puppy!

I had a feeling about this gentleman on the phone and so I called kim and told her that I wasn’t going to be able to bring Remy to her home on Sunday. That I had gotten a phone call from someone who I strongly felt needed Remington as much as Remy needed him. She was slightly disappointed, but what could she do?

I called Michael back and told him we were on his way. His wife told me later that after that phone call, he got off the phone and sobbed.

When we arrived, I let Remy out of the car. The couple were standing and waiting for him in their front yard. As I turned to get my purse, Remy pushed and strained on the leash, trying to get to Michael- so I just let the leash go. This puppy went straight to this man who was now kneeling on the ground. Rem’s tail was going 60mph and he was giving sloppy puppy kisses to a complete stranger!

I have taken Remy to a lot of places. He has met a lot of people and although he was friendly, he never acted like this. The man was crying and holding onto this pup for dear life. I was crying and looked up and saw his wife also joining in the flood of tears. It was magical.

We went upstairs to their beautiful and spacious home. The living room was so large- Michael asked permission to let Remy be off the leash. I said sure and Remy when freed started running laps around the couch. The couple, well they were now both smiling.

I finally caught Rem and told him to simmer down a bit, and Michael went to sit on the couch. The couch was in the center of the room with plenty of space in front and behind it. It was an antique with a high back. I was sitting on the floor, hugging Remy to say goodbye to him because I knew he was destined to be this soldier’s dog. When I let go of him, Remy gave me one smack of his tongue, then he turned and he leaped OVER the back of the couch to come to rest beside his new master. He laid his head on Michael’s lap and went instantly to sleep! I looked over, and his wife, well she had tears in her eyes and she wasn’t the only one.

I had put in the ad that there was a rehoming fee. They had put together a bit of money for a down payment, and gave it to me and said they would make payments on the rest. But, when I got home and thought about all that had transpired, I just called them and told them we were free and clear and Remy was theirs. Michael answered the phone when I called and said that Remington was “simply phenomenal!”

I now know that I the reason I rescued this puppy was so that he would end up with this family. There were times in the last week when I could have cheerfully given him away to a complete stranger because of his prey drive. But, it wasn’t his fault- he is a victim of bad breeding. Two mixed breeds husky and lab (should have never met!) But they did, and now my barn cats can rest easy. They don’t need to be afraid to come down off the rafters, or come up to the feeders to eat. The white puppy with brilliant blue eyes is where he needs to be.

On the kitty front- Bentley is home with a 103 fever and diarrhea ( I am told this is just the side effects of the distemper still leaving him) Jedi is getting slowly better, but she has lost so much weight. They are both in isolation and I just pray no one else becomes ill.Guess we will have to wait and see-