Canaan Dog - Adventures of a Puppy Named Pistol

Canaan Dog - Adventures of a Puppy Named Pistol

By: ML Morton Cambria NY

Hi, I’m one of those few lucky dogs that got saved from Iraq. When I was about 8 weeks old, I was found by a group of Marines near a pistol factory somewhere in Baghdad. They felt sorry for me and took me with them. Thus, they named me Pistol. With the help of people like Marcy Christmas, Sgt. David Donnelly was able to take me back with him to America.

Camp Pendleton was my home for several months until one day, when the Sergeant found out that he is being redeployed once again. Oh no, that means I have to go. Once again, Marcy Christmas was there for me. She then took me home with her. Emails and phone calls began, a decision has to be made... where am I going this time?

In the meantime, the Morton family in Western New York is having a family caucus. It was decided that they are now ready to adopt another dog. Their cherished adopted dog Gypsy is ready to have a brother, a friend, a playmate and a companion. April is just the perfect time to bring home a new pet. Why a brother?

They want to avoid the alpha dominance issue with Gypsy. So here are the criteria for their ideal new pet. Male, (I’m a boy) about a year old (I’m 1 yr old as my papers can prove), social (so lets party!) and more or less the same size as Gypsy (I’m about 47 lbs, will that do?). Considerable time was spent surfing the net, checking out petfinder.com looking for available dogs in the surrounding area.

Over dinner on April 12th, while watching the local TV News, they saw me for the first time, yup I was on TV, Me! Pistol on TV, arriving at the Buffalo International Airport! One look at me, and the Morton’s could not believe their luck. They stared saying he’s perfect... a boy, about a year old, and by the looks of him, just about Gypsy’s size... “let’s hope that he is social” they

The family ended up having a discussion about me over dinner, and it was decided that they will try adopting me. So Mr. Morton made that important call.

At the same time, Jann and Dana from NCCR started processing applications. The start of the long process has begun. Mr. Morton had an interview, and filled out the application form. References had to be checked and double-checked. And then came the waiting.

Two or three days later, the local news had more stories about me. About 200 families have called inquiring about me. Wasn’t I lucky! So many people want me. Jann and Dana at NCCR told me, that it’s not going to be an easy task finding me a home. They have to find me that one special family that can give me the stability, love and attention that I need.

Then came the visits. The Morton’s were one of the 5 families that are being considered.

Who’s this, what!! Another dog that I haven’t met... well, well, well Pistol, your losing your touch, let me check her out, sniff, sniff, and more sniff. You’re ok girl, let’s go play and run, and run some more, as everybody watched us. Time to check out the man and ladies, their ok too, but not as interesting as the girl dog named Gypsy. Come play some more. No thank you, no cookie for me, just some water. I just want to play. And playing we did. Oh no! Visit is over - bye, nice meeting you too.

Finally it’s time for the home visits. Though Jann and Dana thought that the visits to NCCR were good, it is now time to see how I will be in the homes of all the potential families, how their dog/dogs will accept me on their own turf. Great, this means several different car rides... yippee!!!

Once again, the Morton’s were part of our home visit itinerary. One Saturday morning we headed towards the Morton’s den.

I remember you guys, most especially her, Gypsy. Oppsss what’s this, a plant, well time to mark it! Here goes, now your marked. Time to check out the rest of the house. Sniff, sniff and sniff some more.

What’s this? A basket of toys, came on girl, time to have some excitement let’s play and run! Go girl, go. Time to regroup and calm down. As we were resting Gypsy’s mom said “Come Gypsy sit next to mommy.” Well lady, I got a shocker for you, what about me, I’m not chopped liver you know? So upon hearing her invitation, I went to her instead, sat on her lap and nibbled her ear as she hugged me. That felt good. Why is everybody staring at me? I guess nobody expected that huh! Well it’s my future family you’re choosing; my opinion should count, right!

Now time to impress the man of the house and their daughter. With no further ado, I approached them, see here I am, pet me, I’m so sweet. Am I not the sweetest? Let’s see what you think about that! OK enough with this hi’s and hello’s, give us some cookies! Gypsy and I feasted on some cookies. What’s that in your basket Gypsy? Oh my, my… bones, here Gypsy, one for you and one for me, lets allow the folks talk as we chew.

Suddenly it’s time to go again.? Gypsy and her dad walked us to our ride. As I was being put into the crate, Gypsy stood at the back of the SUV and started to cry, I know Gypsy, I’ll miss you too, but they say we got to go now. Bye Gypsy ???

Yes, yes, yes, your family was chosen.??? Hello Gypsy, Hi Dad, Mom and Big Sis!!
Gunney Pistol Morton is going home.

Needless to say, I became a one big Mother’s day present!!!