The "other" beginning

I have material for four MAJOR posts to this blog either in my head, or on my computer waiting to be posted.  I'm putting those on hold for a while.

I told Amy that I wouldn't write anymore tonight.  However, a part of Echo's story has not been told, and I think it needs to be told, at this point.

My post called "The Beginning" and subsequent posts about this process were all about her.  Which is fitting.  My goal for this blog is for it to be all about her. 

The only reason I introduced all the members of my family, in a post, was to make my writing about her more understandable.  It's easier to say "Jesus" than "my second foster son, who is the best friend of my nephew, who is my first foster son" ... and easier to read.

In context, however, most of this does not make sense, unless you know how I came to have Echo, in the first place, from my perspective.

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To set the story it is important that you know I am involved with the American Legion, in the state of Washington.  I am the conductor of the official American Legion Band for the state of Washington, and an officer in my local American Legion Post.

As the director of the American Legion Band for the state of Washington, I have to conduct Legion Band performances at the annual State conventions. 

As an officer of my Post, since I have to be there anyway, it is logical to select me to be a delegate, representing my Post, to the State's convention.

So, in July of this year, I represented both the Band and my Post at the state convention for the American Legion.

On the first day of the convention, one of the presentations was from the group "All American Dogs".  It was a good presentation. 

Now, keep in mind that this is a group of veterans ... Some from WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq.  But, it's all former military.  ... They talk and gossip like old women. ... The room is NEVER quiet. ... UNTIL the word "volunteer" comes up, and then you can hear a pin drop.

THAT is what happened.  The "All American Dogs" group put on a magnificent display.  Everyone was supportive, and clapping.  ... The person at the microphone told about needing a "puppy-raiser" volunteer for Echo, and the room went silent. ... There was hardly any movement in the crowd.

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Fast-forward to August of this year. 

The American Legion for the state of Washington is having a "college". (A weekend-long seminar on what the American Legion is, and does.)

I was there, representing my Post, with another Post member.  There were about 100 people there.

One of those people was affiliated with the "All American Dogs" program.

On a break, she talked about "All American Dogs", and Echo.  One of the things she related was that Echo was donated to AAD by her breeder, and that if someone did not volunteer to "puppy raise" Echo, then, she would have to be returned to her breeder, and the veteran she was destined to help would have to do without.

Once again, in a room that was ALWAYS noisy, you could have heard a pin drop.

I asked the person for a brochure, and said that I wanted to talk it over with my wife. ... The person "gushed".

Amy and I talked it over.  Amy called the contact number.  The person on the other end "gushed".

Amy and I talked about it.  We decided to do it. (I was thinking that Amy would take the lead on it, at the time.)

So, Amy made the call, and we committed.

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There was no "job interview" for what I am doing.

There were no "candidates" to make a "list" or a "short list" from.

Especially, given the terms of the agreement, NO ONE wanted the role in Echo's life I, now, have.

Her breeder didn't want her back.

All American Dogs couldn't do anything with her, unless someone stepped up as a "puppy raiser".

And, I stepped up.

In the terms that AAD was presenting to people, Echo was an unwanted dog.  Most unwanted dogs end up euthanized.