An Adoption Story

This week we've spent so much time detailing the ins and outs of Henry's daily life in his new home that we haven't really had a chance to reflect on the unlikely circumstances that brought him into our lives.  Until we came across Henry's listing on Craigslist, we'd both agreed that we would wait to get our first dog until after Katie finished grad school.  We hadn't had any intention to change those plans, even after we found out that I would not be starting work in Utah until months after graduation.  I'd gotten used to Katie showing me pages of new dogs on a daily basis but neither one of us had seriously considered the possibility of actually moving forward and bringing one home; until we saw Henry's page that is.

One afternoon, Katie was making her usual rounds of various sites with puppy listings when she came across Henry's page.  Normally, we'd both agree that this dog was extremely cute and it was too bad we aren't ready to bring him home.  We'd also never seriously entertained the idea of rescuing a dog.  We had preconceived notions that we weren't ready to train a rescue and that we really wanted a puppy.  For some reason, this time was different.  I think that Katie showed me the page expecting the same old reaction.  I'm still not sure why, but I had an immediate, and distinctly different, reaction to seeing his pictures and reading his short bio.  Within a couple days, we'd decided that we should at least get in contact with Aviv and Janelle, his foster parents, and Ann, the director of Northeast Coonhound Rescue.  Shortly thereafter, Aviv generously offered to have us over to spend a little time with Henry. 

We were blown away the first time we saw Henry and had an amazing hour with him.  However, it took another week of soul-searching and correspondence with Aviv and Ann before we asked to take him for an overnight visit.  Needless to say, after that night we knew we had to bring Henry home.  Aviv and Janelle generously kept Henry for another couple of weeks while we worked out the adoption details and finished up with classes.  Since coming home last Saturday, Sir Henry has become the center of attention in our home.  It didn't take him long to win over every member of the Tommila household with his regal looks and gentle nature.  

He's also become an amazing training partner.  Katie and I had been in a rut with our triathlon training after a couple stressful weeks of completing our degrees.  Henry promptly snapped us out of it.  Every morning he gets us out the door for a run and has been inexhaustible.  He'll run 4 or 5 miles at a brisk pace through the woods behind the house, eat some frozen banana, nap for 30 min and be right back up to patrol his yard for squirrels.  It feels great to have a reason to get out and run.  Now, it's not just about our own training, it's about providing Henry with a happy, healthy life.  

Although we don't have too many details about Henry's life prior to being rescued in Tennessee, we do know that Ann, Aviv and Janelle saved him from death and for that we're incredibly grateful.  He was found starving to death, hairless, scared and alone in the woods.  Now, the woods have become his safe haven and his playground.  We feel incredibly lucky to be a part of his journey and to provide him with a permanent family.  When we're ready to bring home a little brother for Henry (and this time it really won't be for a few years) adoption is absolutely going to be the only option and maybe we'll be lucky enough to work with Northeast Coonhound Rescue again.

Happy Trails!

-Chris, Katie and Sir Henry