I'm not exactly the best writer, but I figured I'd give this registration activity a go c:
The sky is dark and gloomy, only stars and moonlight to illuminate the old dirt road as I wind my way through the countryside. The Unwavering association's building shines in the distance, early morning exhaustion weighing my eyelids down. Taking one final sip of my lukewarm coffee, I slide my old truck into the adoption center's dirt driveway. Sighing, I check my watch. Five minutes early. Nerves cause my hands to shake as I slip a beaten folder from the glove box, scanning through some papers one final time.
Just a month ago, I was in this exact same spot, searching for a competition dog to add to my farm, which currently housed several various equines and canine species. When I'd read about Mudis in a local newspaper, it was all I could manage to wait until the grand opening.
When I'd first entered the adoption center, only one of the pups had caught my eye. Though they were all beautiful, this one was special. She was a tiny little thing, not much larger than the young pups that my neighbor had recently found on the side of the road. Her eyes were warm, honey colored and glowing with energy. After consulting with a volunteer, I'd set out to file the necessary paperwork, determined to bring the young female home with me.
Opening my eyes, I glance at the clock on the car's dashboard. Groaning, I realize I've fallen asleep and am now ten minutes late for her adoption. Wonderful. Entering the adoption center, a volunteer leads me to the back room where the center's owner waits. After several rushed apologies, I turn in my folder of paperwork and wait nervously as another volunteer brings in my puppy. "Hey there, Fai," I say quietly, allowing the puppy to come to me. She seems slightly timid at first but quickly recognizes my scent, bounding over to me and sniffing at my boots. Laughing happily, I comment, "She must smell the horses. I was out in their paddock this morning."
After going over care instructions with yet another of the center's volunteers, I scoop the young Fai into my arms and load her into her travel crate. The travel crate is massive, with plenty of room for her to grow and still have excess volume. She seems happy about it, but as I pull away she whimpers quietly, as if saying goodbye to her old home.
After an hour long drive, the sun has risen and we've made it back to the ranch. My entire property is fenced, so I'm not concerned when I let Fai out of her travel crate without a leash on. However, the puppy manages to dash towards the horses, jumping over a fence board and sliding into a paddock. Luckily she ended up in the smallest pasture, the only members of it being Sonia, Chief and Cion, three laid back but large horses. Fai ran right up to Cion, a large Clyesdale gelding, and sniffed at his hooves while the gentle giant gazed curiously down at her. "Fai! No!" Jumping over the fence, I ran towards the puppy and scooped her into my arms, patting Cion's neck. The gelding shook his mane as if to say, "Nah, don't worry about her. She wasn't causing trouble," before stretching out his neck to touch his large muzzle to the puppy's small one. "Alright, you two. That's enough." I muttered, trudging back through the paddock towards the gate. Many equine heads turned to look at me as I went, even ones from the nearby paddocks. "We haven't even been here for five minutes and you've got everyone's attention," I growled playfully, scratching Fai's head. One day I was hoping she'd be large enough to help me with the large herd, especially to herd the horses in and out of the paddocks during paddock rotation and feeding times. But for now, the puppy was barely large enough to herd a kitten. She would just have to wait.
Once inside the house, Fai explored both stories, taking little interest in Elek or Ray, just two of the several rescued canines that inhabit my home. When she finishes exploring, we settle down on the couch surrounded by my canine pets, Fai on my lap, and open the young Mudi's folder to read about her, listening to the puppy's content sighs turning into quiet snores.
