BIGmog's BIGblog

Last week I joined a cinephile group to see a movie called Robot Dreams. It's an animated movie about friendship set in 1980 New York City. It wasn't perfect but I did enjoy it. It was an ideal movie for me to see at this specific moment as I have this ongoing internal debate about my life. One side of me would like to move to an urban environment with people and social activities. The other side thinks that a quiet, stable, home in the suburbs is financially sound although lonely. The movie doesn't cover these 2 minds specifically and I don't want to spoil the ending. Instead I'll just say that it nudged me into one direction and as a result I have a new dog.

Lefty was beagle and while I love that breed still, I couldn't help but compare every other beagle to him. None were ever good enough so I changed gears to the breed's cousin: the basset hound. As a kid I remember seeing a basset hound on TV shows like the Dukes of Hazard and Colombo. Coincidently (or perhaps fated), the Colorado basset hound rescue group had an event on Saturday. I went to see some basset hounds up close and question owners about the breed. The rescue organization itself is in rough shape but I did learn a lot. The most important tip was that a basset hound was currently up for adoption at a shelter near me.

I hesitated a bit as it was super hot that day and the shelter was about to close. I already missed out on another basset hound however so instead I rushed on over just to see. Well, of course it's hard to say no at that point. Basset means "low" in French so I sat on the ground and let the dog come to me. He was friendly and the right age and weight for me. I didn't want a dog too young or too old; too big or too small. This one was just right.

He sort of reminds me of Lefty which makes me a bit sad. I'm sure as I get to know him more than skin deep, I'll see the differences and come to love him as a unique pet. We're still getting used to each other but bonding well. I'm taking my time giving him a name that's fitting. He's been through plenty of changes already in the last week. A name change can wait.