Keno-- The Beer Dog..

I've tried for many years to keep my blog character free.. Sure, I've mentioned friends and family, upon reflection.. Things they have said that have made me laugh, things that I will never forget, things that when originally spoken didn't make sense, but later shook me and taught me some sort of life lesson.. I've tried to write about my experiences in my life.. I haven't blogged thinking about anyone inparticular, certainly not employees, bosses, roommates, co-workers, and never about my boyfriend..

So, I'm a little embarrassed now, to be this excited to write about my newest love, Keno.. I promise not to turn into that raving blogger that writes only about her dog, as if the world also thinks my dog is the coolest in the whole world.. I have nothing against people that write solely about dogs, or running, or food, or children, but I have tried to keep my blog about my experiences, regarding things like dogs, running, food and children.. It's actually quite selfish, and I've given this a lot of thought, but will address it at a later date, in a different blog..

Anyway, a little over a week ago, I went to Las Vegas.. It was a fun, tiring, not-long-enough-in-the-warm-weather trip, but it was a trip away from my life, and it was much needed.. On our drive home, we stopped at a gas station to get drinks (caffeine) and for me to empty my bladder of steel..

When I got out of the car, I noticed a sad, little dog right outside the gas station, with his obviously homeless owner.. I expressed how sweet I thought the dog was, and upon entering the gas station, I heard the homeless man joke, that I could have his puppy for ten dollars.. I laughed as I filled my cup with Diet Mountain Dew.. We paid for our drinks and went out to our car.. The homeless man approached and explained that he can survive the streets but that his dog can't.. He told us that his paws will burn on the ground this summer, and that he needs a good home.. He explained that the dog just wants to be on your lap, and is thrilled with one sausage a day, and that he loves RC Cola and beer.. This broke my heart..

Two five dollar bills later and the dog was in my car.. The homeless man knocked on my window and told us that we had done a good thing.. He thanked us repeatedly for wanting to give him a good home, and explained that "Buddy" does not like to be picked up, forced into doing anything he doesn't want to do, and that someone had hurt his back leg.. He told me that he loves the ladies, but he will bite if he doesn't trust you..

I was near tears, when I decided I needed to go back into the gas station for Alpo and some water.. I think Buddy would have loved some of my Diet Mountain Dew, but I was not in the mood to share..

When I came back out to the car, Buddy was lying on a blanket on the back seat.. He crept up to the front seat to get some water and sniff the food, and I noticed that I had little black paw prints in my car..

Buddy was filthy, but within an hour he was beginning to get comfortable.. I'm not sure if Buddy had ever slept peacefully.. He fought sleep, as he sat in our laps.. I think he must have slept sitting up on the streets, always ready to move on a moment’s notice.. Eventually he got comfortable and cuddled up in my lap on the blanket.. He slept for hours..

We stopped in St. George at McDonalds, where he ate cheeseburgers, drank water and emptied his bladder.. At this point his tail was wagging, and he had begun to smile..

We were very excited to give the dog a nice night of sleep, and food, and to get him to the Humane Society the next morning.. We called him Buster for a while, but as it got dark, we decided Keno would be much more fitting.. He sat up and listened to music with us, and sat on the console watching the world pass by through the windshield.. He didn’t want to hang his head out the window like other dogs, and he didn't jump out of the car and run, when he had the chance.. He likes me to lift him in and out of the car, and once home, I quickly realized that steps were an issue with his back leg as well, and that he needed to me to carry him up and down.. He is not comfortable with me picking him up, but he trusts me, and that's good enough for both of us..

I'm pretty sure he had the best night of sleep he had ever had.. He loved my down comforter and could not get closer to me.. We slept face to face the entire night.. Keno doesn't lick or bark, and only shook when my roommates came home, but I got him calmed down shortly after..

We took him to The Humane Society and waited a half hour to admit him.. Watching people drop off their animals was extremely painful.. I choked back hot tears until it was our turn to hand Keno over..

Tears didn't actually fall until we walked back to the car.. Once he was out of my hands, I knew I had made a terrible mistake.. I didn't, and still don't think anybody would adopt a dog that not only needed to be house broken, but to be carried up stairs to do it..

I cried for hours.. I cried into the night and at 3:00 AM, I spoke to my roommate about having Keno come live with us.. I made it clear that he would be my dog, and I would train him.. He needs to be trained to my work schedule, and with his trust issues, I think it would be best that I deal with him.. After speaking with my roommies, landlord, parents, boyfriend, and manager at the Humane Society, I've decided that we will adopt him if his original owners do not claim him by March 26th.. We can't adopt him until the 29th, as that is the first chance he can be neutered.. The craziest thing is, is that the 29th, is the night I met my boyfriend..

We met on Facebook through a friend in January, and quickly developed a relationship.. We texted and e-mailed endlessly, as I had just had oral surgery.. It quickly turned into hours of phone calls and eventually, on March 29th he flew into Salt Lake so we could meet.. We had two or three more weekend trips, and then I flew to Portland at the end of June, to ride back with him.. He was moving to Utah!!

We will be getting a dog, on our year anniversary.. Something I never thought I would do.. Have an anniversary, and be a dog owner!! I've always been a cat girl, and figured I might date a guy with a dog, but never have one of my own and certainly not a small dog..

The Humane Society called to tell me that Keno has stage 1 dental disease.. It's an issue with his gums, but with daily brushings, should be totally manageable.. It’s also the same issue I had oral surgery for, last year, when I met my boyfriend..

Keno is a little damaged.. He needs love and patience, and I can give that to him.. As far as I can tell, this was meant to be..

Life has surprised me so much in the past year.. I've been extremely blessed, and I'm so excited to see what else is in store!!

I may blog about him a few more times, forgive me.. I'll also be sure to post a few pictures, I have about a dozen of him sleeping, in the same position, from several different angles.. I might be a Mommy in a week!!