Always Living and Learning

What I wanted to do on Election Day last Tuesday afternoon, June 7 was to simply fulfill my duty as a United States citizen living in New Mexico's Cibola County and vote. I didn't expect to come home with a dog.

My plan after the school day was to drive home, grab some of my voting information, and go out and cast my votes. Living in Milan, I had not done my due diligence in checking out where my voting location was so I headed to Milan Elementary where I had once voted, figuring that would be the correct location. It wasn't, so I headed towards nearby Grants and eventually arrived at city hall where voting was taking place. I parked, left my car and walked from the parking lot towards the building entrance.

I noticed about 30 yards ahead of me a man and woman walking with their dog - a corgi mix similar to my dog Chip, who is a mix of corgi and hound dog and slightly bigger than this dog. I got close and saw this dog wore a jacket indicating it was a rescue dog in search of a permanent home. The man, walking the dog on a leash, immediately sensed my interest and said, "Are you looking for a dog?" I answered I already had three but that I thought their dog was beautiful. I stopped, thought about it, then told them I would think it over as I voted. They replied they would be there in the lot after I cast my votes.

I knew my wife Sarah would probably not be happy if I brought another dog home. But I was already emotionally invested in this dog - love at first sight. I voted, came back outside and headed towards the couple and their dog.

I learned it was a rescue dog from a nearby reservation. A homeless woman who could not take care of it gave it to this couple who take in dogs and put them up for adoption.

I said I would take it. I was impressed they had all the proper paper work detailing the dog's history, age (10 months), and vaccine records. They gave me Benji - the dog's name - and I heartily thanked them and took Benji, with his leash on, to my car. I called Sarah and told her I was coming home with a surprise gift for her. She sensed something was up - not sure what I was up to - and began asking questions.

As the interrogation continued, I could tell she was getting a little nervous. She can read me and knew something did not quite seem right.

Finally, I got home, brought Benji out of the car, and carried him through our front gate. I set him down on the concrete inside the gate, and opened the front door, realizing our three, fouryear old dogs - a fluffy little tan/white terrier named Megan; a small black and white Chihuahua named Henry; and my beautiful corgi mix Chip - would bound outside to greet me like they always did.

Of course when they flew out the door, they saw Benji. So the next 30 minutes or so included a lot of our three dogs barking at Benji, sniffing him, and occasionally nipping at the poor creature, who kind of scrunched up and took it. They were doing okay after a while.

Sarah had come out and immediately loved Benji. I didn't expect her to be angry but maybe a little exasperated by my decision to bring home a fourth dog. I was so happy to have Benji and Sarah was too. So we'll see how our election day dog, Benji, does. He ate and drank like crazy and we finally, after an hour or so, coaxed him in.

Sarah could tell right away Benji is a sweet dog. Hopefully our three will accept him. So that's how it went this election day - I went out and voted and, unexpectedly, came home from the polls with a dog.