Would You Want Him Back?

I heard a story on the news on the radio this morning about a dog that was lost for nine years and the family who got him back. Here is the story:

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — A German shepherd named Astro who has been missing from his family for more than 9 years is finally home.

The Geary family was shocked when they recently received a call from an animal control officer who said that Astro had been found.

The dog went missing from the Geary family's Port St. Lucie, Fla. home shortly after the family adopted him. Since then, they have moved three times and ended up in Louisville, Ky.

On Jan. 29, 2009, an animal control officer in Tennessee picked up Astro after receiving a report about a dog running loose. Officers tracked down the family through a microchip implanted in the canine.

My first thought when I heard this story was, "What if they don't want him back?" It's been nine years since the family lost him. What if their lifestyle is not compatible with owning a dog anymore? What if they no longer live in a home where they can keep a dog? What if they just don't want this particular dog back? Meanwhile, where has Astro been for the past nine years? Someone has been taking care of him. Maybe they want him back.

I started thinking about my situation. Nine years ago, John and I were not even dating, although we did know each other. Who knows where we will be in nine more years? Honestly, we could be in Europe somewhere after a relocation via John's work. If we lost a dog today, would we really want it back in nine years? (Actually, we have two dogs right now that we are trying to get rid of, so the answer is "no" and "thank goodness, they're gone!")

What about you? Where were you nine years ago? Where will you be in nine years? Would you want your dog back?

How many of you thought my title had to do with taking your husband back? Hee hee!