Anticipation

It’s Saturday morning and the air is exceptional for a Memphis July day. The temperature hovers in the low 80’s and the humidity is a mere 30%. It’s breezy and sunny with only wisps of clouds high up in the sky. It’s a flawless day, in my opinion -- a great day to get adopted.

I’m sitting here in my crate, all perky, cleaned up and tidy. At three years old, I look younger than others my age, a real advantage when you are trolling for parents. Everyone says, "What a cute puppy," when they see me. My handsome muzzle framed with big brown eyes just gets to the ladies in some magical way. The only down side of my gorgeous looks is my hair cut. After running with two labs in the streets for a couple of weeks, my ash blond hair got disgustingly matted so the rescue team gave me this crew cut. Feels kind a naked to tell the truth, but I could pass for a baby Springer spaniel. So, maybe I’ll so lucky today.

My name is “Joe Cocker”. Someone was being clever when he gave me that name. Must have had visions of that 60's something gray and balding English rock & roll singer. I'm a Cocker Spaniel who happens to be named Joe, the name I much prefer. Joe fits my ‘cow dog’ swagger that entices the ladies. Just ask Lulu, the gray terrier in the crate next to me. We tried to get it on earlier this morning when we were out on the grass together, but that white haired caretaker, Miss Cindy, kept pulling me off. She’s such a prude. Can’t a guy have any fun at all? With balls like mine, you need to keep’m exercised.

It’s me and four other dogs here under the “adoption tent” on the edge of the Memphis Downtown Farmer’s Market. I think I’m the best looking dog of the lot. Lulu is an okay little thing, but just get a look at her tail. It’s too long for her size – never got a proper trim. I look pure bred. The others are definitely of suspicious parentage, although I can't blame theme for it. They seem nice enough.

Lots of people are stopping by to look at us now that the dew if off the grass and the market is filled with music and noise as folks weave among the couple dozen stands of local fruits, vegetables, flowers, bake goods and the like. There’s oohing, awing, and pats on our heads, but no takers yet. One lady is asking Miss Cindy about my upbringing…like she’s going to know. Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen (oops, that's a song isn't it?) and I’m not telling anyone anything, except to say, I don’t pee in my crate. I don’t want to live with people so concerned about how I behave right now. Hell, I'm trainable!

Wow! Look at that black and white Springer walking over to the tent with his parents. He's is absolutely stunning. I could definitely swing with him. Look, hey guy! Over here! Come on over and smell my butt. You’ve got a crew cut too! Let me out! Let me out! I gotta meet this dog.

Well, isn’t he the cat’s pajamas. Calls himself Fred, a good 'guy name' like mine. However, he seems to think he’s in charge. Just because he weighs 50 pounds and is twice my size, doesn't mean he gets to be top dog. Really, how presumptuous of him. He's got to stop that growling when I hump him. Shucks, Fred, I’m just playing around. Why don't we stop this silliness and work out the pecking order later. I've got to pay attention to your parents if I want to go home with them.

Here, Mom and Dad look at me! See, I can sit! I can roll over so you can pet my belly. I’m not very heavy – maybe 20 pounds, tops. You can pick me up and carry me around! I don’t hardly bark at all! Mom is really interested in me; she’s making eyes and saying nice stuff. Be careful there or Fred will get cranky. I get your message. Ouch…Fred just turned on me growling again. Dad is shaking his head. Sorry, Dad, I didn’t mean it! I didn’t mean it! It’s just my instinct. Remember I’ve run with some really tough dogs so I don't see myself as a little guy.

Well, the good news is that they signed the papers and paid the $95. Looks like I’ll have a new home. Goody, goody. The bad news is I can't go home with them today. Mean ol’ Miss Cindy says I’ve gotta be “clipped” first. Ouch, that’s going to hurt. But if it’s the price I have pay for a good home, I'll do it. It's the ladies loss. I just hope Fred learns to like me. I’ll even let him be the A dog, if that makes him happy. I just gotta get off the street. It's too much stress and too hard a life.