Kinzie Goes Home.

Our little group heads enthusiastically up the parade route. Our destination: the community house about four miles ahead. People wave and cheer and the energy is thrilling. The dogs are having fun and are enjoying the walk. They are all being very well behaved except little Theo, who has a very big attitude for such a little man. He makes it known to the other dogs that he would prefer to be leading the pack by nipping at everyone as they try to get past him.

We stop again and again to talk to people that want to meet the dogs and know what we are doing and why. I do my best to "sell" the dogs, and shelter dogs in general. We hand out our flyers and take phone numbers. Time seems to fly by and I can't believe how quickly the miles disappear. Curly is getting a lot of interest, but my friend, Skye, thinks he would be perfect for her mother's housekeeper in Santa Barbara. She wants to take him up there right away if he is not adopted out of the Parade.

The list of back-up owners for Knut Knut grows ever longer as he rides in style, looking ridiculously cute in a little red wagon pulled by my nephew, Luc. I can't help worrying about Kinzie, especially as we come up on the last half mile. Suddenly, a women runs after us and says that her husband wants Kinzie!

Richard Thomas and his wife, Patti, are locals and have brought their big male dog, Bodhi, with them to watch the parade. Bodhi is there by their side, calm and well mannered as they all greet Kinzie for the first time. I hand over the leash to Richard and, just like that, she is not my dog anymore. Melissa and I say an emotional good bye, but I know our beautiful girl has found a forever home. I am ecstatic. Four or maybe even five dogs homed if Curly goes to Santa Barbara. That just left Dora and she had one person that was quite interested. We exchanged numbers at the end of the parade and she said she would call me and let me know.

All in all it was a very good day.

Richard with Kinzie and Bodhi on a hike in Topanga. 

In Patti's words: I saw Kinzie's paws as the two of you approached in the parade, and knew she was an extraordinary dog - saw her face, and fell in love. My jaw dropped when I found out she was available for adoption. I pointed Kinzie out to Richie, told him she was up for adoption, he said, "I'm open," and I scurried up the hill to take her back to meet him and Bodhi (our other dog) to make sure they got along. It was love at first sight for them, and we all knew we were hooked. We took her right there and then and came over to your office a couple of hours later for the paperwork. She's been a joy ever since."