Another "kid" in our family?

Zachary's best "love us" face:

Zachary and I did something yesterday that I'm still shocked over...we put in an adoption application for a Shih Tzu rescue group! It wasn't an easy decision and we didn't take it lightly. We answered the questions on the form honestly and took our time about it. However, the application was rejected rather quickly (and almost seemed like an automated rejection) because I don't have a yard. No one loves or takes care of my "kid" like I do, and whether or not I have a yard is a stupid reason for rejection! He doesn't go outside anyway due to a past trauma of having a pup of mine die rather brutally by car. I know tons of people with a yard and they are HORRIBLE pet parents! Sorry...getting off track of the story.

So, not swayed by rejection, we tried again, this time a different rescue group. We took even more time and tried to convey what a great family we would be without being overly cheesy. We pointed out our good points, without leaving out the bad (aka, lack of outdoor space). We even looked at pictures of potential family members trying to decide if they would be happy with us. As of now, we have yet to hear from anyone. Is that a good sign or a bad sign? I don't know, but patience isn't one of my virtues.

Zander (god rest his soul) and Zachary both came from pet stores at a time when it wasn't non-PC to do so....ok, so it was non-PC even then, but it didn't have as much of a stigma as it does today. I always looked at it as dogs in pet stores need to be rescued too! That point of view was even more valid in the case of Zander because he was almost 6 months old and was about to be destroyed (their words, not mine), he had patches where he had no hair (probably due to nerves from being raped daily by a chihuahua), and he wasn't in the best of health...basically, a puppy only his mother could love (and I did more than anything or anyone ever).

Zachary, on the other hand, was a happy, healthy, ball of fur who stole my heart at first glance. He wasn't originally bought for me, he was bought as a brother for Zander. The mistake I made was that I didn't get Zander's approval first, but then again, thankfully I didn't let the little bugger pick. I wouldn't have Zachary at all since Zander HATED him at first sight!! It took Zander an entire year to not murmur under his breath when Zach got close to him. But, in the end, Zachary was the best brother Zander could have ever had.


So why now do I try to embark on the task of trying to enlarge our family? I've got no clue other than I just think it's time. Zander has been gone for almost 3 years now, Zach is 12 and getting on up there and I feel like he is lonely (even though I'm home a lot more now than ever), basically though, I think I just miss having two snuggle bunnies! Stupidest reason on the planet, I know, but when is it not all about me anyway?

So wish us luck, and if we get denied again, look out puppy store because we are on our way! I've got no qualms about "rescuing" another pup from the puppy store, afterall, where would our family be without it? It's just a shame that the love we give gets denied due to lack of acreage. Even if I had a yard, Zachary probably wouldn't be allowed to be left alone in it. What if the neighbors threw something over trying to poison him? What if there was a snake? What if his allergies kicked off? What if a meteor fell from the sky and hit him? Yeah, I never claimed to not be overprotective.