Well, I couldn't stand it any longer. A few weeks ago I started watching all the shelters in the area and on line at petfinder.com and on Craig's List. Earlier this week or late last, I was at the Spokane Co. shelter SCRAPS. Same shelter I got Archie at years ago. And same as Archie, one little guy was sitting silently when all the others were barking their heads off. A young mastiff mix is what the paperwork said. There were some other people interested in him but he was on "hold" until 5:00 PM. It was 1:30 then. When the first lady put the paper back on the clip and told me she was looking for her son who wouldn't be there until Friday, and told me go ahead and get him, I took the paper up front and asked the guy if there was any way to push the 5:00 hold up. He was having a bad hair day and wasn't in a pleasant mood. Let me know the time was 5:00 PM set in concrete. I asked if like the Humane Society they offered a senior discount. Wrong question! He seemed a bit upset that I'd even mentioned the Humane Society and no SCRAPS does NOT offer any discounts. When I got Archie you signed the paperwork and they'd take two signatures. No longer works that way. If you want to be first on the list, you fork over $25 nonrefundable. I decided to pass on that offer. Thought about hanging around until 5:00 but didn't. Back home (some 40 miles) at 4:00, I was thinking I still have time to be back in there by 5:00. Didn't go. Then all night, I was wishing I'd have forked over the $25. The next day Barb and I were sitting out front at a little past 11:00. They open at noon. I called and asked the lady who answered if #5215 was still there. She checked. He was. I told her I'd be the first one through the doors when they unlocked them. When I got Archie, they called my vet and made an appointment for me to have him neutered. Now, you fill out the forms, write the check but you don't take the dog. They keep him and take him to one of the vets on their list to be neutered. I picked him up at that vet the next afternoon at 4:00. That was Wednesday. He's a very sweet, well mannered pup. We've been in at the bus garage and met everyone there. Yesterday we went into Spokane to have the harness repaired and go by the Harley shop. He made a good impression at both places. Rides in the car very well. The forecast for today is for the sunniest, warmest day we've had for a few weeks. It will be a very fine day for a first ride in the sidecar. A new adventure begins....
Hello Tom,
Henry looks like a calm fellow who seems to be pretty young.
Best luck with him.
On the other post I took out my comment, try to delete it now.
Sven
Thanks Sven. He is young. The vet where I picked him up says one year. The paper at the pound only said "young". I sent in a DNA test last night that is supposed to establish his breed information. The form there wanted his birthday. Unknown when you get a dog from the shelter. It will take three weeks to get the results back.
He looks like he is at home.
congratulations, great looking pup, i know what you went thru with archies crossing the rainbow bridge, btdt too many times, also want to thank you for your luv off the best creature on earth. hope both of you have a great rest of your life.
Welcome, Henry. Here's wishing you & Tom many happy miles.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
beautiful and waiting to be loved. Mike
We went for his first ride a little while ago. Only took two treats to get him to keep the Doggles on then he wore them the rest of the trip without any problems. We got to the Post Office and discovered in my focus to make sure things were right for Henry, I left my wallet and PO box key home. Called Barb and she ran them in while we visited with all our friends picking up their mail. I love this little town. When we left the post office, we rode around town visiting anywhere we saw people we knew. Or I knew and Henry was meeting. Very well mannered sociable guy he is. Finally headed for home stopping at our neighbor's place when we saw them outside. She got him a drink but he wouldn't get out of the sidecar to get it. When we got home, I pulled into the bike room, he jumped out only after I unlatched his harness even though he wasn't tied to the sidecar, I think the harness made him think he was. What an amazing little guy. Rode like an old pro. We're off to many years of upcoming adventures.... And I never though it could be like this again. Life is good!!!
Thanks for sharing that wonderful story. So glad you and Henry found eachother 🙂
Many Safe and Happy Years together!
Oh, He's a very handsome pooch.
Thanks Rustle. Also I didn't mean to imply that he wasn't tied in as we were riding when I said he didn't get out until I took his harness off... he was but when we got home, I undid the leashes from the harness and he still stayed put. But that's a good thing. I hope this warm weather lasts a while, we'll make some more rides. When Archie first started riding with me, within a week we were doing 75 mile jaunts. Hopefully Henry will think it's as much fun as Archie did.
Beautiful pup. Fun stuff.
I just bought a rig for the sole purpose of tooling around with the mutt.
-Presley
Hi Presley. Welcome to the forum, you're among friends here. Your Collie is a fine looking pup too but I think she's peeking under the Doggles. He? Anyhow I hope you checked out the Henry photo in my first post to this thread. The fine looking fellow in my avatar photo is my best good riding buddy who passed last July. I guess maybe I should change that but I'm not ready to let him go even now... Henry is great but Archie and I had so many good years and good times that he's a part of me even as the new adventures unfold... He's the one who got me into sidecarring as well. Good luck and best wishes as your adventures continue.
How Awsome Tom. You deserve it. From the looks in the photo to...if Henry grows into those paw your sidecar may be quite full. He looks Awsome!!. Hope you have some good riding days left this year. Ed.
Hi Ed,
We had a real taste of fall a week ago and it looked like winter might not be far behind but now summer like weather has returned. Henry and I did another sidecar trip this morning then came back past home and got the car for a trip to town where I'd have to leave him waiting while I was inside taking care of business. Wasn't as much that I thought he wouldn't wait well as I was afraid somebody might snatch him. Don't want him to disappear on me now!
I haven't mentioned it on this thread yet but yesterday we did a great trip of about 40 miles and more socializing. Out to my ridding buddy Buzz's then he, I and Henry rode on south to Edwall, out Bluestem to our friends Randy and Sue where we visited a while. Then Bluestem across to SR 28, north to Davenport where we saw a couple with a Goldwing/Hannigan rig. Visited for a while. They're from Cle Elum and had been up at Republic. Gave them the USCA brochure when I found out they aren't members and we headed east on SR 2. At 231 we waved good bye to Buzz and headed north toward home. A great ride. Into Reardan this morning then to Davenport. Back here where we took the car on into Airway Hts. This morning traffic seemed to make him more nervous than on the other rides. Maybe because there was more of it? I don't know. But he did fine in spite of that.
