Monkey Manifesto

We had to say goodbye to our two senior dogs this year – Luna, and PAWS alum Ava. Their absence left a large hole in our lives…which apparently needed to be filled by a blockheaded, wiggly, goofy, smushy pittie named Monkey (formerly known as Geena Davis).

Monkey came to us as a foster dog around October 1, not long after Ava passed away, and my husband was somewhat resistant. However, I hounded (see what I did there?) him until he gave in.

I chose her because I thought she would be a good fit for our grumpy Peke/Shihtzu/Prince mix Ralph, who generally prefers the company of bigger lady dogs. He’s quite progressive that way. Also he loathes male dogs.

When she arrived, Monkey was underweight and anxious. She was Velcroed to my side all day every day, and was a bit fearful of Matt (the hubs). She was jumpy, reactive, and full of puppy energy. We both had a lot of bruises in the beginning! We’ve never had a pittie before so we were on a learning curve for sure.

Fast-forward two months and she is much less anxious. She’s gained some weight. Her coat is nice and shiny. I’m pretty sure she now prefers my husband (dang it). He and Ralph have both warmed up to her a lot. Ralph likes to sit and lick her face and eyes. (Gross.) She and Ralph play – when his highness feels like it. He lets her play with his toys (sometimes), which is a big deal. He is extremely possessive of his squeaks. She usually sleeps between us at night and makes it her mission to push at least one of us off the bed before sunrise. She is a canine furnace and helps keep me warm on cold nights. She also likes to sleep in 19-pound-Ralph’s bed. She says IF I FITZ I SITZ (we are also working on her spelling).

Monkey loves crinkle toys, sticks, scratchies, and bananas (!). She likes to “pibble nibble.” When she gets a little too overzealous with the nibbles we give her a “bitey blanket” to chomp on. We have a ways to go but she’s learning not to jump. She’s still reactive but slowly getting better. She lets me put stupid sweaters and costumes on her, unlike Ralph, who would murder me if I tried.

Ralph and Monkey like to run around in the backyard, and when they come barreling inside they slide on the wood floors toward the kitchen. Monkey is often the self-appointed “Cookie Police” and tries to block Ralph from getting to the cookies first. She is also the street sheriff and likes to perch on the couch looking out the front window, waiting for a sentient being to come by so she can tell them what’s what.

On December 4^th, I received an email from PAWS Atlanta that someone put in an adoption application for Monkey. I was ready for a fight with Matt. Every night Monkey would ask Matt if he loved her and wanted to keep her, and every night he would give a wishy-washy reply.

Unbeknownst to me, Matt had decided she was a keeper and had gotten a tag on her collar with her new name and our phone numbers on it. He put a bow around her neck and the new tag on and said “Merry Early Christmas.” There were some tears. (He also said I’m not getting anything else for Christmas.) He said seeing Ralph warm up to her had convinced him that she would be a good fit for our family.

We are still mourning the losses of Luna and especially Ava, who was taken too soon by cancer. But I believe they would want us to give another dog in need a home. We’re thankful PAWS Atlanta was able to help us find a dog that would meet Ralph’s high standards, and for allowing us time with her as a foster to make sure she was right for us.

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Want to find your Monkey? Send your completed adoption application to info@pawsatlanta.org and we'll take it from there.