Chasing Hopes

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Here are two facts: Next month, my puppy Chase will officially turn three years old, the age when a canine is generally considered mature; another (unexpected) reality is that Chase still lives with me even though our history together has often suggested he’d be lost or dead by now.

I adopted the cute 8-week-old puppy on a whim without considering his genetic potential. Within months, he matured into a (mostly) Rottweiler/Shepherd mix and showed aggressive tendencies toward human strangers and unknown dogs. Those appear more settled, but I remain focused on his energy and behavior toward others when we’re out and about.

He inherited a compact, strong, and fit body type, and with energy to match, he proved himself to be an efficient climber, leaper, and digger, capably escaping almost any kind of enclosure that might contain him. During his first two years, I worried he’d become road kill or lost and considered turning him into a no-kill shelter in hopes of a better guardian showing up for him. Still, I doubted this complicated being would find anyone highly willing to put up with “who he is.” So, Chase has stayed here.

With generous help from our dog-loving neighbors, Chase has been returned home many times and re-contained until he escapes. He’s intelligent, knows where he lives, and wants to be with me. If he’s loose (and still undamaged) when I arrive home from work, he bounds happily down the driveway and hops into my car. He’s alert and smart, understanding and responding to my commands after being aware of them only a couple of times.

My hopes for our easier future together are set on his turning three years old and stabilizing. That could be happening, for he’s been loose in the “big yard” with his buddies for a few months without escaping. However, deep winter might keep the ground too frozen for digging and escaping.

I’m optimistic about Chase’s settling, but it’s a waiting game.

Dear Friends, I’m amazed: Chase still lives here, is safe, and may be maturing. Diana