Puppy Rant.

I never would have imagined that it would be this difficult to give a puppy a good home.

When I lived in Charlotte, I fell in love with a dog that was being "fostered" so it wouldn't be in a shelter. The description said it wasn't a good dog to have with other animals or small children and that it would probably do best with one owner. It also said that it didn't need a lot of outdoor time and would make a great indoor pet. I emailed back and forth with the foster "mom" a few times until they asked for a vet reference. As soon as I said I had never had a dog before, I never heard another word. Not a "sorry" or anything.

Brad and I put in an application for one of 6 collie/spaniel puppies this morning. We worked on the application for two days. We researched the breeds, decided they were a great match for our lifestyle and this morning I emailed the application. Suddenly I get a response back saying "thanks, but you're not a good match for our rescue".

HOW are we not a good match??? I stay home ALL DAY LONG. Brad works 15 MINUTES away from the house. We have family willing to take the dog in if we have to be gone long term. We're extremely active and explained that the dog would go everywhere with us. We have no other animals in the house. How can you just respond with "you're not a good match" with absolutely no reason what so ever? 

I really want to email this woman back and ask what a good match would be. What, do we need to have 15 dogs first? So because we've never HAD a dog we're not allowed to rescue one in need? I don't WANT to spend hundreds of dollars and get a dog from a breeder! I want to rescue a dog that wouldn't otherwise have a chance! Growing up, our first cat was from a breeder and the others all were strays. I loved them all, but the love I got from the strays - it was as if they knew we had rescued them and they were eternally grateful. 

I'm so upset right now. I understand that they want what's best for these dogs...but I'm so annoyed with how they won't even give us a chance. I cannot even imagine how frustrating the process to adopt a child must be if I'm in tears over a dog that I haven't even seen in person.

Just some ramblings.

I've really meant to update more - time gets away from me, I guess! We finally got wireless internet on Friday so that will help. I don't have to fight Brad for computer time anymore :)

So I finally got over the swine flu (yes, apparently it was the real H1N1. I'm kind of glad I didn't know that when I was actually sick though). Then I came down with a nasty little cold. Maybe I'm allergic to marriage?

I played in church last Sunday for the first time and it went really well. This week I played again but was a little more nervous - I snuck down to Charlotte on Tuesday (I was homesick :P) and didn't come back until Friday so I hadn't got much practice time. I really love this church though. I grew up in a small town, in a small church. I'd say most Sundays we had between 80-100 people there. Then when I moved to Charlotte I started going to a larger church with 4 services. The church I'm playing for now has about 30-40 people there on a good day. I never thought I would be so happy at such a small church. I understand the benefits from a larger church - more people to befriend, more opportunities. But in all of my time visiting and attending churches, I have never felt more welcomed than I do at this little tiny country church. As soon as I walk in there, I feel like I'm part of their family. After the service, they line up to thank me for playing and to tell me what a wonderful job I did (even if I totally screw up haha). The pastor is nearly 80 years old and can be a little hard to follow sometimes but his points really hit home. Today he talked about a meeting he once had with a church committee. The committee kept talking about how they needed to "grow the church". He pondered it for a few minutes and then asked them if they were talking about numbers - because he felt like the church was growing spiritually every week. That spoke to me. It's not about the numbers. Yes, part of Christianity is to draw more people to your faith - but God doesn't care how many people go to your church. He doesn't even care how much offering is collected each week or what songs you sing. He cares that the church grows together spiritually. Whether that be 10 people or 10,000, it's still the basic point of the church. I admit, when I was originally told about this church, and how small it was...I had "snobby" thoughts towards it. Only thirty people????  But now I understand it's not about the numbers. It's about the common faith and wanting to worship together as a church family - and I truly feel like I am part of a family at this church. And to me, that's so much more important than saying "I attend X mega-church".