FAMILY MATTERS
Did we choose puppy or did it choose us?

By Michael C. DeMattos

I promised my daughter that when she turned 5, I would get her a puppy. The search began by checking the local pet stores and the paper, but we quickly decided the Hawaii Humane Society was where we would find our dog.

One fine Saturday morning, I packed up the family and headed into town. My daughter heard the barking before we hit the gate, and bolted inside. We slowly made our way through the kennels. It was love at first sight. Unfortunately, it was with every dog she saw. Leaving empty-handed with a tearful child draped over my shoulder, I called a family meeting and we had a much-needed discussion.

We decided our dog would be a member of the family. As such, it would spend a significant amount of time in the house. I made it clear that we would not have a dog chained to a tree or spending days in a kennel. We would fence a small section of yard and have an indoor/outdoor dog.

My wife wanted a medium-sized dog that she and our daughter could hold. I wanted a large dog. In the end, we agreed temperament was more important than size. We needed a dog that would be patient and gentle and grow with us. The consensus was that a puppy would be ideal.

With the discussion behind us, the pooch patrol started anew. For the next several weeks, I spent my lunch breaks at the Humane Society, scouring the kennels for the right dog.

One day, I noticed a small crowd huddled around the last kennel. Two puppies were wrestling in the corner as the crowd oohed, ahhed and sighed. For all their fascination, none of the spectators seemed interested in adopting the fur balls.

I was allowed to visit with one of the pups, an 8-week-old shepherd/ lab mix with small paws and a playful attitude. After 20 minutes, I made an executive decision and filed the adoption papers.

There was just one problem: I had promised my daughter she could choose the mutt. I needed a plan, pronto. I paid the adoption and licensing fee while the pup was placed back in its kennel. I then made a beeline to pick up my wife and daughter.

As we walked through the gate, I gave the volunteer at the desk a wink and proceeded to the kennels. We started on the far end and slowly worked our way down the isle. At each kennel, my daughter paused and assessed the canine occupant. A seasoned veteran, she passed each gate without a word.

Then she saw him. A smile crossed her face and she looked up at Mom and me. We smiled back and I gave just the slightest nod. She clapped her hands and Mom suggested we call the volunteer and visit with the puppy.

It was love at first sight all over again. My daughter had found her pup, and our family had grown yet again.

Family therapist Michael C. DeMattos has a master's degree in social work.