Que
by Tanya M. Jackson

I returned to the south recently after a difficult stay in the north helping my siblings care for my 87 year old mother in the last months of  her life. I needed a blast of “puppy breath” and an armful of puppy to cuddle. So as soon as I could get there, I trekked in to the dear little animal shelter in Fernandina – the Nassau Humane Society, right across from the airport.

As soon as I entered the office, someone yelled “Tanya! We were just going to call you!!” Dee gave me a quick hug and dashed from the room. Lynda asked “Do you have time for a puppy?” Before I could answer, Dee returned with that armful of puppy to cuddle that I had been longing for – little “Que”. I was so happy I cried.

I’m not sure how Que came to be at our shelter. In brief, he is another of the darling pups that get dumped off somewhere alone (and sometimes in litters) to fend for themselves. He’s very young and he went immediately into foster care with another of our wonderful volunteers, Tracey, who promptly fell totally in love with him.

Tracey had him for a couple weeks, and then family medical emergencies made it impossible for her to keep caring for him. Young puppies are TRULY a lot of work. They must be fed often. They get food all over themselves and must be washed up. They need a constant change of newspapers. You might have to get up a few times in the night, if the puppy is really young and you are the “mama”. You are also responsible for starting his training, as his mama would do if she were still with him. He needs to be socialized with people and other dogs, “potty trained” and introduced to good house manners like “Sit, stay, and come.”  And most of all, he needs a lot of love to become the excellent, loving dog that will find a new forever home when he is old enough.

Lucky little “Que” found his at the Shelter’s Holiday Open House on December 17th, I think. He took part in the Doggy Christmas Parade a week ago wearing his pretty scarf and Santa hat, and was much admired but only inquiries were made. No one filled out an application. You see, Que is going to be a pretty big dog.  Just look at those feet in his photos! He’ll want a nice fenced yard like he has at my home. He’ll want kids to play with and maybe even another pet or two. On www.Petfinder.com   Que was seen by a family looking for a family pet, and they quickly faxed an application and followed up with a visit to the  Holiday Open House. Que had his picture taken with Santa Paws, we interviewed his new family and  he went home a bit earlier than Christmas to be a pal to two youngsters who are seven and nine. For sure, most of the work of puppy care will fall to Mom and Dad, but it seems there is a lot of love there for a puppy. We will see him again as he completes his puppy shots and gets neutered. One reason that adopting a pet from a shelter is such a good deal is that the adoption fee of $90 (at our shelter) covers the series of puppy shots, worming procedures and spaying or neutering. What a deal that is!!  Best of all, when you adopt a pet from a shelter you make TWO lives happier – the life of the dog that you adopt, and the dog that we now have room to take in and save for a new home.

Oh! By the way! Tracey did tell me that she let her brother whom she is caring for give the pup a name. She thinks he meant it to be “Cue” for playing billiards but the spelling got changed. What fun! He’s “Que” for now and everyone asks “What kind of a name is that?”  Of course we encourage any adopting family to name their new pet any name they wish, but sometimes a name just sticks. It sounded to me like Que might become Bear, and when grown, he may well look like one….BIG!

Que came to me when I needed comfort and he’s very special to me, as are all the foster babies who go to our volunteers. I’m glad I could give him some of what he needed in care and love and comfort. Mostly I’m glad that I could help get another darling homeless pet ready for a new forever home!