Met and greeted

I got to meet both Kelly and Lin Lin yesterday. I was drawn to Lin Lin's appearance (sort of sandy colored with a black face a black tipped ears) and because she's a tripod. She did not disappoint because she is adorably cute. So cute! But I got to meet Kelly first and after that Lin Lin didn't have a chance to win me over.

Kelly is an absolute dear. I believe that I fell in undying, never ending, soul wrenching love with her after only knowing her for an hour and a half. Her personality is absolutely bewitching. She's very interested in people. Loves being rubbed, scratched and adored. Having to leave after meeting her was one of the most difficult things I have done in a very long time.

While I was meeting Kelly, Lin Lin was kenneled and very much wanted out. Barking, whining and general unhappiness. So then to give fair time to both dogs Kelly was kenneled while I met Lin Lin. Little tripod Lin Lin's cuteness did not disappoint. Every time I looked at her I could tell that she was going to be an adorable dog (they think she's still a puppy but aren't sure). But that is all I got to do with Lin Lin. She barely let me pet her and barely wanted contact with any human at all, even her foster mom.

I understand her concern and attitude after what she has been through. They believe her leg was severed in a trap and when she was found she had exposed bones. I can't even imagine the pain and suffering this poor little girl has had to deal with in her life. It's too much to even think about. Both Kelly and Lin Lin arrived in Seattle from Taiwan on Tuesday. Kelly has responded to this drastic change of location and lifestyle with such a positive and happy attitude it's striking. Lin Lin would take a lot more time and energy to get to be the kind of dog that Kelly is already.

I'm not afraid of working hard with a dog and putting in the effort so that isn't keeping me from choosing Lin Lin. But Kelly's adoration of people and easy manner is so irresistible that I just have to have her in my life.

The next steps are a home visit and checking references. Assuming those all go well and will hopefully happen this week, then I should (crossing my fingers) be Kelly's mom by next weekend. I really cannot wait. Every person in the world will immediately fall in love with and adore her. It's a given.

It was so very hard to have to leave her behind at her foster mom's house. I really wanted her to come home with me that very minute.

On my way back home I stopped at my mom's to deliver her and RJ's birthday presents. While I was there Ali and I went out to the garage to see something. When we were turning to go back into the house I automatically looked to check where Kelly was and make sure she was coming back in the house with me. Of course she wasn't there she was back at her foster mom's house. But my brain really wanted her to be there with me right by my side.

I've also decided that I'm not going to keep her name as Kelly. It just doesn't seem right and since I have a friend Kelly that makes it seem doubly wrong. What are your votes for a name? Here's a few pictures of her that are tough to see but they at least give you an idea.