Socrates Joins the Family!

I may have lost a two thousand dollars worth of photography equipment, but it is hard to complain when I am lucky enough to have adopted a new best friend named Socrates.  He is without a doubt the best, smartest, and most adorable dog on the planet!

Socrates was a 'Rescue Dog" from Louisiana.  I was not aware until I started looking for a rescue dog that the vast majority of dogs in shelters facing imminent euthanasia are from our Southern states.   Evidently, they don't do a lot of spaying and neutering in many states down south, so there's a vast overpopulation of dogs and cats.  

I could not figure out why such a bright, fun, loving, adorable little dog ended up in a shelter.  But it was no longer much of a mystery after he bit right through four leashes in less than four days.  He doesn't like to be on a leash AT ALL.  He also bit through the collar you see in these photos.  Luckily, I was just a few feet away every time.

The leash above is sliced neatly in two also, come to think of it.  But he is just as bright when it comes to learning what he's supposed to do, and he is the best canine companion I could ask for!  How about this:  Socrates sits and watches birds with me without barking or chasing them, but he's a dynamo when it comes to chasing gray squirrels, red squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits.  They are OUTTA HERE!  

Here we are on the day we finally saw each other for the first time!  I was already in love, and I tracked him on Facebook as he journeyed 2,000 miles to find his 'forever home.'   Thanks to April Reeves at Mutts4rescue, and thanks to Greg and the crew of Rescue Road Trips (who have transported over thirty thousand dogs to new homes in the northeast!!!), and thanks to all the volunteers that come out in droves to care for the dogs at every stop along the way - we have a new family member.  I'm ever so pleased to introduce (drum roll, please!) . . . Socrates!