SNIKKERS GOES HOME 4 JULY 2009
Then came an email from Shell, asking me to look at an application. She thought this would be a great home for him, as they lived in Maine and were looking for a young male Cairn. Theirs had just died and they wanted another. The family was mom, dad, and three daughters,aged 19, 22 & 23 years. I spoke with them and really liked them. So many of the things that Snikkers needed to be worked on were almost identical to the behavior of their last Cairn . . . so no worries there. I hung up hoping they would consider him. There were three other dogs Shell was thinking about for them and they talked to their foster homes, too. At the aireport . . . Shell called with the good news: They wanted Snikkers. Andy (the dady) was flying in from Boston and turning right around and going back with him. They didn't want him to have to go into the cargo area! Or to be alone . . . . So off we went to Mitchell Airport to meet Andy bright & early this morning. What a wonderful, wonderful man he is . . . It was love at first sight for him! Snikkers was too busy checking everything out to pay much attention to Andy, though. . . . with Joe & Shannon . . .
We walked Andy & Snikkers to the check-in area, where I found that Andy had upgraded his ticket to first class because he was worried about Snikkers being OK . . . does this give you an idea about the kind of family he is going to? . . . with Shannon & Andy
I also received a very nice card & gift from Sam, his daughter, whith whom I was emailing, making arrangements for our boy's travel, thanking me for taking such good care of their new family member!
	I did cry while saying goodbye, but honestly, not as much as I usually do (yep, I'm one of those). I think it may have been knowing that he was going home to the best family possible. Another, as Andy said, win/win situation! My quiet time saying goodbye to my boy . . . telling him not to blow his new home!
Samantha writes: The little boy is home! He & Oscar are doing a pretty good job getting along. Lots of positive reinforcement with cookies - something Snikkers doesn't mind! My father said Snikkers was well behaved on the plane. My dad flew first class with him - something I haven't done but our little boy has. We are already in love! He's beautiful! We want to hold and cuddle him but there are so many new smells, he is so curious! He found the basket with toys - he took out one right after the other! I absolutely love this little boy! Thank you so much for looking after him! I will continue to stay in touch, share his pictures and his stories! Thank you for everything!

Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed, All nicely tucked in my warm new bed. I'd like to open my baggage Lest I forget, There is so much to carry - So much to regret. Hmm . . . Yes there it is, right on the top - Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss, And there by my leash hide Fear and Shame. As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave - I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain. I loved them, the others, the ones who left me, But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me. Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack? Or will you just look at my things And take me right back? Do you have the time to help me unpack? To put away my baggage, To never re-pack? I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see, But I do come with baggage - Will you still want me? -- Evelyn Colbath

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