Confessions of a crazy dog lady

I’m a crazy dog lady. This is not news to anyone that knows me. I’ve always loved dogs. Not having had any of my own growing up definitely created an “absence makes the heart grow fonder” situation.

Since adopting our first dog, which was soon after buying our first house (and shortly after buying a piglet), we’ve always had several animals. Admittedly, the pig was perhaps not the wisest choice, but with a 30-year life span, we’re in for the long haul. The chickens were added years later, as were the kittens, but the dogs just keep coming.

Every one of them has been a rescue dog. I’m extra crazy about rescue animals. I have a hard time understanding how one can spend money on an animal when so many are euthanized every day. I also can’t understand how one could consider life complete without owning at least three pets. Or maybe four. Five’s a good number, too.

Being a dog lunatic isn’t easy. And it’s surely not frugal. I could probably save enough money to have another kid if I went without pets. But what’s the fun in that? Besides, no one wants me to procreate again. I’m kind of mean.

What’s funny is that I’ve always been a fairly strict mom. I never talked to my kids with baby talk. I always expected them to meet the challenge and speak well. But put a dog in front of me and I’m a blubbery idiot, making kiss-y noises and sounding liking a babbling moron.

“Who’s a good boy?! Who’s momma’s baby?! Mommy loves her silly dog.”

Seriously, it’s embarrassing to even admit. I sound like a jackass. But I can’t stop. It’s like I drop 60 IQ points the minute a wagging tail and lolling tongue come into my line of sight. Sometimes, I just look over at one of my sleeping pups and am overwhelmed by the cuteness.

So it came as no surprise to my family and friends when I adopted another dog this week. Yes, I’m serious. I brought a third dog to the Island of Misfit Animals, as we like to call our house.

The big surprise is that my husband agreed. I would like to have about five dogs. It’s a good number. However, he seems to enjoy being the voice of reason.

“Dogs are expensive. Dogs require time and training.” I know, he’s a real Debbie Downer. But this time, it was even his idea. Sort of.

So I may have a problem with sharing dogs that need homes on Facebook. It’s possible that I repost or share these homeless animals with a frequency that has caused some to unfriend me and other crazy dog people to become my new besties. But this one was different.

You may or may not know that last fall, my partner in crime and I wound up in a backyard full of six-week-old puppies. We were thinking about adopting one, for her family. We left with all seven of them, and no plan. But my crazy-dog-lady connections became a lifeline and we were able to get all the pups into rescue with North Fork Animal Welfare League, with the help of Paws Unite People rescue.

I wasn’t looking for a puppy. Puppies get adopted. I like the dogs no one else wants: deaf, handicapped, pit bull, etc. But there was one, just one that I developed a soft spot for. OK, I developed a soft spot for all of them. But there was one I had an extra hard time handing over. After they went to rescue, I kept an eye on the little guy and was happy to see he got adopted.

I continued to ask my husband, nearly every day, for another dog. I showed him one-eyed dogs, three legged dogs, deaf dogs and old dogs, all to no avail. Then I happened to notice a photo on NFAWL Facebook page. It was my pup. He had been returned to the shelter. It was like fate brought this precious baby back into my life. Even my husband saw the wisdom in this. So on Friday, I brought home a seven-month-old puppy.

He’s adjusting nicely to the two other dogs and two kittens. He tried to meet the pig, but she’s a little ornery in her old age and I thought it was in his best interest to wait a bit for that introduction. And so grows the Island.

I really do wish I could rescue them all. When I win the lottery, maybe I will. But since I don’t play the lottery, it’s not looking good. In the meantime, I’m going to beg you, and everyone you know, to go rescue a pet; dog, cat, pig, bird, heck, even a pig. If you’re looking to find unconditional love and unending joy, go adopt an animal. If you can’t adopt, donations are always welcome. Here’s a list of some of our local shelters (I’ve been blessed to find some of my best friends at a few of these places):

North Fork Animal Welfare League (Riverhead Animal Shelter)
532A Youngs Avenue
Calverton, NY 11933
631-369-6189
board@nfawl.org
or
165 Peconic Lane
Peconic, NY 11958
631.765.1811
board@nfawl.org

Kent Animal Shelter
2259 River Road
Calverton, New York 11933
(631) 727-5731
info@kentanimalshelter.com

Southampton Animal Shelter
102 Old Riverhead Rd WEST
Hampton Bays, NY 11946
(631) 728-PETS (7387)
adoptions@sasfinc.org

Paws Unite People (all dogs are in foster homes)
http://www.pawsunitepeople.com/index.html
info@pawsunitepeople.com

There are many other awesome and deserving shelters and animal rescues out there. Look for one in your area. Don’t shop, adopt!

Laurie Nigro, a mother of two, is passionate about natural living. Laurie resides in downtown Riverhead and is co-founder of the River and Roots Community Garden on West Main Street. Contact her by email to laurie@riverheadlocal.com.