Dear Kid,

Puppy: Woof. May I have your attention please? I woofed. Pay attention.
Ok. October is National Adopt a – what is this word?
Me: Shelter
Puppy: Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. It is important that –what does “shelter” mean?
Me: In this case it means dogs that don’t have a home of their own
Puppy: WHAT? Excuse me, I’ll be right back.
What do you mean “Dogs that don’t have a home of their own”?
Me: Not all dogs have their own people
Puppy: You’re joking
Me: No, I’m not. There are lots of puppies that live in cages at a shelter hoping someone will adopt them
Puppy: This is terrible. We have to do something! Let’s go do something!
Me: Well, we adopted you
Puppy: What. Do. You. Mean. “Adopted you”?
Me: When we were looking for a dog to be part of our family, we looked at several shelters. We found you at the Cincinnati SPCA and we adopted you.
Puppy: Don’t be silly. I’m part of this family
Me: Now you are. Before, you were a shelter dog
Puppy: Me?
Me: You
Puppy: Was a shelter dog?
Me: You were
Puppy: And you rescued me?
Me: We did
Puppy: But I thought you were my Mommy!
Me: I am your mommy. But we adopted you
Puppy: This is very confusing
Me: It’s important that people know about adopting shelter animals. How about you go on with your announcement?
Puppy: Are. You. Kidding. Me? This is a Major Revelation and you want me to make an announcement as I struggle with my identity?
Me: Your identity is the same as it was 5 minutes ago. You’re part of our family. But you used to be a in a shelter.
Puppy: Did the Kid and Pi come from shelters too?
Me: No
Puppy: You didn’t rescue them?
Me: No
Puppy: WHY NOT?
Me: They didn’t need to be rescued
Puppy: But I needed to be rescued?
Me: I think maybe you were just waiting for us
Puppy: Well, then why did you take so long?
Me: We were looking for you. We adopted you when we found you
Puppy: Do all dogs come from shelters?
Me: Not all dogs, no
Puppy: Where do other dogs come from?
Pi: Uh-huh. How are you going to answer that one, mom?
Me: Thanks for helping, Pi. Come here little boy.
Puppy: I’m here
Me: You know we love you very much right?
Puppy: Yes, and I love you
Me: Good. And you know you’re part of our family right?
Puppy: I’m people
Me: Sort of
Puppy: So where do other dogs come from?
Me: Do you think we should get you a treat?
Puppy: I LOVE treats! Let’s get a treat! Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!
Pi: Nice wiggling, mom
Me: Read the announcement, Pi
Pi: October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. In the US there are almost 3 million healthy cats and dogs waiting to be adopted. Even if you can’t adopt or foster a pet, please think about supporting the wonderful shelters that care for these animals. And if you know of (or even suspect) animal cruelty, be sure to contact authorities immediately.
Puppy: Cruelty? What does that mean?
Me: It means you get a tummy rub
Pi: You’re just protecting him
Me: You bet. Nicely read by the way.

Love, Mom

For more puppy conversations see Puppy Conversations and Food Observations, Spring Puppy Conversations, New Puppy Conversations, Winter WonderPuppy | Baby It’s Cold Outside, Puppy Conversations Translated for the College Kid, Puppy Conversations and FIFA World Cup Soccer, Puppy Conversations and the Joy of Quirkiness, Puppy Conversations| In the Beginning, Puppy Conversations | What’s In a Name?, Puppy Conversations | Puppy Plans a Party, Puppy Speaks Foreign Languages…Sort Of, Summer Puppy Conversations | Speaking of Hope, National Dog Day | Puppy Has His Say, Puppy Conversations | Completely In Love with Tal, and The Puppy and The Cricket | Wildlife in the House