08/28/2026
This morning sucked. But it was just the culmination of a sucky week full of sucky situations.
Two Fridays ago, Tabitha and I visited the Oakland Animal Shelter to evaluate dogs. We had a couple of spots for fosters, and I was looking for our golden-ticket dog: the dog who would get to go to a four week board-and-train with a lovely KismetK9 in South Lake Tahoe.
We call it a golden ticket because Ashlyn’s in-home pet training includes regular visits to Heavenly Village, hikes, and beach visits. I keep asking her to train me too, as has my husband…
On that day, we brought Porsche into our rescue and identified a dog who was at risk and could really use a golden ticket. His name was Basil. Ashlyn and I had planned to get Basil to her on the 27th, and I let the Oakland Animal Shelter know that if Basil wasn’t adopted by then, he would be ours.
But nothing’s so simple lately.
A dog we pulled from the Oakland Animal Shelter, Guinness, was adopted and then returned very quickly after the owner realized he was mourning the death of his dog, and Guinness wasn’t filling that void.
Guinness’s previous foster wasn’t really available to foster him again. She was more than willing to take him back temporarily while we found a more permanent solution, but when that didn’t happen, we decided Guinness should go to Ashlyn. Though he’s a great dog, he is young and adolescent and could benefit from the structure she offered. And, quite frankly, we didn’t have anywhere else for him to go.
Reluctantly, I had to call the shelter a couple of days ago and break the news to them that we wouldn’t be able to take Basil.
And so things went into motion.
We sent out a email and text asking for transport, and I was excited when someone near me volunteered to make the drive to Placerville to meet Ashlyn. Late last night, another transporter drove to San Jose and brought Guinness back to me in Walnut Creek, with the plan for the new transporter to pick him up at 7 a.m. and take him to Placerville.
This morning, I woke up around 5:30 a.m. to exercise him, feed him, and give him enough time to digest before his long drive. But, at 6:45 a.m., I received a text from the transporter letting me know they wouldn’t be able to do the drive because someone refused to watch their Chihuahua…..
Weeks of planning had gone into this moment. Money. Coordination. Ashlyn leaves a spot open in her home for us, a space a client could otherwise take. Not to mention, I had a full day away from the house and absolutely no plan for what to do with Guinness.
So at 7 a.m., while I was mad, defeated, and using my full list of known profanities, I thought to myself: Guinness does not need this training.
And in that moment, at 7 a.m., I texted my friend at the Oakland Animal Shelter and told her that if she could find transport for Basil to Placerville, he would get his golden ticket.
Of course, she rose to the challenge.
And so here we are.
As I write this, Basil is safe and sound in South Lake Tahoe, preparing to live his best life.
And me, the German Shepherd girl, is finding patience with a Labrador in my home…
But all jokes aside, he’s actually a very nice dog, especially for someone who enjoys this breed.
Guinness is young, about one year old, and he’s still figuring out what is his toy and what isn’t. But he is a really great dog.
He loves my children and particularly enjoys shopping in their rooms for stuffed animals. He instantly got along with my dogs, is an excellent play buddy, and is submissive if things get too rough.
He loves toys. LOVES THEM.
And fetch.
He is housebroken, crate trained, around 50 pounds, and oh so sweet.
If anyone is interested in making my week a little better and saving me from the Labrador, and in turn saving a shepherd when I replace Guinness 😂, he is looking for a foster or adopter!
And if you know this breed, he will not disappoint.
Submit an application on our website:
www.spayneuteractionproject.org
Or send us an email at:
[email protected]
