River

That day's "feels like" temperature was 100 degrees, so I gave River a chunk of ice.<br/>River approached the assignment with remarkable professionalism.<br/>He examined it from every angle. He nudged it across the yard. He pounced on it. He rolled on it. I think he tried to hear it. He definitely licked it. Every few minutes he wandered away, rediscovered it, and looked genuinely pleased that such an excellent invention had survived.<br/>I watched him for quite a while because it occurred to me that River has a talent most of us lost somewhere around middle school.<br/>He knows how to be delighted.<br/>He doesn't need exotic vacations, expensive gadgets, or a perfectly planned weekend. He can build an entire morning around a piece of ice and consider the time well spent.<br/>That seems like an awesome approach to life.<br/>River's about two years old, and he came to Animal Aid Society from an overcrowded shelter 170 days ago. He arrived heartworm positive, completed his treatment, and has spent the last several months watching the seasons change. He arrived when the mornings were 20 degrees. Now they are 100. He's watched dogs come in, find families, and head home.<br/>None of it has changed him -- he's joyful, gentle, playful, and so, SO snuggly!<br/>He still greets each day with the quiet confidence that something wonderful will happen. Sometimes that wonderful thing is a soft squeaky toy. Sometimes it's an ear scratch. That morning, it was a chunk of ice.<br/>I hope one day very soon, it will be his family.<br/>Animal Aid Society is located at 80 Butler Farm Road in Hampton, VA. Visiting hours are from 9:00 a.m. until noon every day, including weekends and holidays.<br/>Interested? Come for a visit any day of the week - 365 days a year between 9am - 12pm. Hope to see you soon!<br/><br/>PLEASE NOTE: Animal Aid Society observes a 40 mile adoption radius to facilitate post adoption support and follow ups.

That day's "feels like" temperature was 100 degrees, so I gave River a chunk of ice.
River approached the assignment with remarkable professionalism.
He examined it from every angle. He nudged it across the yard. He pounced on it. He rolled on it. I think he tried to hear it. He definitely licked it. Every few minutes he wandered away, rediscovered it, and looked genuinely pleased that such an excellent invention had survived.
I watched him for quite a while because it occurred to me that River has a talent most of us lost somewhere around middle school.
He knows how to be delighted.
He doesn't need exotic vacations, expensive gadgets, or a perfectly planned weekend. He can build an entire morning around a piece of ice and consider the time well spent.
That seems like an awesome approach to life.
River's about two years old, and he came to Animal Aid Society from an overcrowded shelter 170 days ago. He arrived heartworm positive, completed his treatment, and has spent the last several months watch

That day's "feels like" temperature was 100 degrees, so I gave River a chunk of ice.
River approached the assignment with remarkable professionalism.
He examined it from every angle. He nudged it across the yard. He pounced on it. He rolled on it. I think he tried to hear it. He definitely licked it. Every few minutes he wandered away, rediscovered it, and looked genuinely pleased that such an excellent invention had survived.
I watched him for quite a while because it occurred to me that River has a talent most of us lost somewhere around middle school.
He knows how to be delighted.
He doesn't need exotic vacations, expensive gadgets, or a perfectly planned weekend. He can build an entire morning around a piece of ice and consider the time well spent.
That seems like an awesome approach to life.
River's about two years old, and he came to Animal Aid Society from an overcrowded shelter 170 days ago. He arrived heartworm positive, completed his treatment, and has spent the last several months watching the seasons change. He arrived when the mornings were 20 degrees. Now they are 100. He's watched dogs come in, find families, and head home.
None of it has changed him -- he's joyful, gentle, playful, and so, SO snuggly!
He still greets each day with the quiet confidence that something wonderful will happen. Sometimes that wonderful thing is a soft squeaky toy. Sometimes it's an ear sc