Back to walking the dogs

After a month's hiatus, I went back to the Humane Society on Tuesday to walk the dogs again.  Most of my time away wasn't truly voluntary.  We went on vacation , then Max's school had spring break so I lost my mornings off.  Then we adopted a new puppy and had to acclimate him to our house and schedule.  Then I got sick.  I walked the dogs all winter in the most hideous weather, and then couldn't when it got nicer out.  Which seemed messed up.  Anyway, Tuesday I went back, and it was...anticlimactic. 

Almost all the dogs I knew had been adopted.  There were only a handful of dogs I'd walked before, and most of those I'd only walked once.  Lily was still there, but in the time I'd been gone, she'd been attacked by another dog, sustained damage to her face, and more or less healed.  All while I was gone.  Which made me feel really out of touch with what had been going on. 

So I didn't know anyone, and - perhaps more importantly - I wasn't shopping anymore.  Always before I went to walk dogs, but in the back of my mind I was hoping this would be the week when I'd come across the perfect dog.  The perfect one for our family.  The one I could take home, if only I could persuade J. 

But now, with two dogs running about the place, Chez Potter is at canine capacity.  We really can't have another, even if I do find a magic super dog.  Especially if our adoption profile look see pans out.  Two dogs and (maybe) two kids are about all I can take.  So going back was like going to the mall with an empty wallet when you're used to walking around with a full one.  Before you could buy even if you probably weren't going to.  Now you just can't.

Also, I think - what with keeping the puppy busy all the time - I've got enough dog exposure going on right now.  Before Rosie was lethargic and I could outwalk her.  Now I've got to struggle to keep up with Milo Furball.  More Humane Society walking cuts into how much I can walk Milo, and I need to walk Milo if I'm going to keep him from destroying my house. 

The upshot is I know I'll go back, but I think the magic of the last six months that I found there at the Humane Society - it's a bit muted for me.  For now.