When I was in junior high, I read a news article in the local paper that talked about the art of choosing a puppy that will be loyal for life. The piece suggested that if you sit in the middle of a litter of puppies, engage them in play and then sit real still, the majority of the pups will get bored, begin playing with one another, fall asleep or move on. The dog that is supposed to join you, their forever family, will remain close, snuggle with you or look directly in your eyes to let you know they are the one you are to choose. But you must resist the urge to pet and play with all the dogs or you will miss the match made for you.
This method has worked well for me. I have used it time and again and had some of the most loyal and precious canine companions. Mishka, my late golden retriever and Mallory, our “they-told-us-the-papers-were-tied-up-in-the-divorce-but-they-lied-black-lab” were both acquired with this method. Lola, my current black lab companion, that we never should have been able to afford, is the “rescue” exception. She was a blue-light special. Our pup was the runt of a litter meant to be large hunting dogs, and not one to photograph well, which resulted in the renowned breeder being unable to find a home for her. We happened to be on the internet at just the right moment and were grateful for the price adjustment. Lola seemed to know from the moment she was put in our arms that we were meant to be together and after watching all her siblings be placed in the arms of others, she knew the drill. She did not cry, even once, after we brought her home and has been loving us ever since.
