Stormi

“People can be a bit stupid about their pets…”

Out of the million plus words in Harry Potter, that sentence always brought a smile to my face. It’s so true. I saw my dad dig a fox hole for a cat so she could hide when she was hunting. One of my brothers converted a basement into a cat bedroom complete with its own maze and private bathroom. My cat, Charlie ran for President and had his own webpage. But my sister, Pam topped all the outlandish pet stories with her obsession with her dog, Stormi.

Pam was adamant about not getting a dog, but when her daughter brought the tiny black pit mix home, it was love at first sight for Pam. Pam bought that dog toys, comfortable bedding, the best dog food, spa days, and paid for a babysitter, so the dog was never alone. When Pam died, I knew it had to be an accident because she never, ever would have abandoned that dog.

Stormi came to me because my son had been babysitting her for about a year and a half. Stormi was distraught at the death and the paramedics and the disruption to the house, but Shayne was able to calm her down and she went with him willingly. He brought her to my place because he can’t have pets at his place. I thought it was temporary, but it’s not turning out that way.

For a few weeks, Stormi was re-homed, but she cried at night and whined during the day. My son went and picked her up and brought her back to my house. I swear she exhaled a sigh of relief when she walked into my living room. Like “I’m home.” And I was, “Like, oh crap, I am starting to love this dog.”

But here’s the thing. I don’t want a dog. I want to travel and be open to any changes that might come my way. Also caring for the dog has put my son back in my house. He still has an apartment, but he is basically living with me again to help with the dog. He maybe could keep her if he found a new place to live that would accept a section 8 voucher and a pit bull. That seems almost impossible. We waited too long to get housing for him to give it up and he needs to live on his own. Being independent is important for his future.

I asked Shayne what he wanted because he and Stormi have a strong bond. He said he would care for her, but if a good home was available for her, he would be okay letting her go, but only if it was the right person.

The right person has to be infinitely patient, work from home or be retired, and possibly be a Pisces or a Cancer, or a maybe a Scorpio. The right person would cook chicken for the dog and maybe grow some carrots for her in the garden. I am kidding, but only sort of. That’s the kind of life she has known.

I am not going to relinquish the dog to the shelter. I am also not going to randomly let her go to someone who is interested in a pit bull for sporting reasons. Pam meant the world to me and this dog meant the world to her.

Stormi has been treated better than many kids I know. She was the absolute center of Pam’s life and has been pampered and spoiled to the nth degree. As a result she is super sweet and affectionate, but also very clingy and has separation anxiety. She needs a home where she isn’t alone much and gets lots of attention. She’s really energetic and loves to play. She’s used to lots of toys and loves fetch, tug of war, and running and jumping. She’s good on a leash, but she’s strong. She also hasn’t been raised with other animals, so I am uncertain how she would be. She is interested in my cat, Lucy, but Lucy said, “Are you kidding me. I hate dogs. I hate that dog the most. When is she leaving?”

So I don’t usually use my blog like this, but I could use some help finding a great home for Stormi. Or a place that Shayne could rent with section 8 and have a dog. Or someone to come and convert my garage into an apartment for Shayne and Stormi.

I want the best life possible for this dog. It’s what Pam would want and it’s the last gift, I can give my sister.