Meet Alan

Hi,

Let me tell you about yesterday.

I woke up feeling stressed about the last piece I published – you know, just the fact of having spent time with someone jumped by the Secret Service and FBI – so I went to my favourite cafe.

It's a 20 minute walk from my apartment, nestled up in the woods. I like it for the deer, woodpecker and coyote sightings. And for the coffee. I was in line for said coffee when this chonk of a dog burst past me. A few seconds later this kid ran up, stressed out: "Did a dog run this way?"

Why yes, it had.

Turns out 30 minutes earlier, the kid and his mum saw someone drive up the road, throw this dog out, then drive off. The dog had been dumped. The pup was disorientated and a bit spooked, and this dog-loving kid had been trying to grab it for the last half hour. This area is known for coyotes, and they love lost chonky dogs.

I abandoned my coffee, and helped the kid grab the dog. It had no collar or lead, so with my arms wrapped around its substantial body, I asked fellow-coffee goers if anyone had a spare leash. One woman responded, grabbing me a lead from her car.

Dog contained, we both sat off the path as we tried to figure out what to do.

As the dog settled down, we discovered it was the friendliest creature on the planet. As other people and dogs walked by, he responded with nothing but reserved, happy love.

And to think he'd been dumped.

Now a question sat in the air: What to do with the dog? The pair who'd seen him being dumped couldn't take him, despite the kid's pleas to his mum. A park ranger turned up, saying he could take the dog down the LA pound. To me, that sounded a bit like a death sentence.

The woman whose leash I'd borrowed suggested her son might want him. "But he's in Ireland shooting right now." I asked if I'd know him. "You might, he was in Succession," she told me, along with a name. I definitely did know who she was talking about. She looked proud.

Ireland was far, so I called a friend who helps foster huskies – and she agreed to come down. She brought a harness, treats and a bowl – and immediately set to action. A foster event was happening at Tailwaggers, a local pet store, so we zoomed off there – mystery dog in the back – and I was introduced to Los Feliz Animal Rescue.

They told me he was between two to three years old, male (big balls), and incredibly friendly (which I already knew). They suspected he'd been used for breeding. They chipped him, and set up a veterinary appointment for this coming week (the balls need to go).

All they needed for all this to happen was to have a foster home for him.

And so here I am, fostering a dog who I've named "Alan".

We need to find Alan a home.

The dude is lovely, he got dumped, and he deserves a home.

Before you chime in with, "Uh I think he found you, you have a dog now": My one bedroom apartment is not it. I travel too much for journalism stuff, and it's not the ideal life for a dog this cool.

What is he? I'm not sure. He looks like a french bulldog but he's too big for that. He's a brindle – his coat is a combo of lighter and dark hairs. He's under three, because his teeth are very white. He's sweet and affectionate towards humans and other dogs. He shakes hands. He doesn't pull on the leash when he's walked. He might be worth $5000, he might be worth zero. Who cares.

He's getting checked out by a vet this week.

If you live in LA – or nearby – and can give this guy a good life (or know someone who can) please get in touch: davidfarrier@protonmail.com.

I'm not sure why I named him Alan. He just looked like an Alan. What do you think?

David.

PS: And while we're in this happier space (dogs! rescue! adoption!) – tell me about your experiences with the animals in your life. Rescue or fancy-pants breeder? Inbred freak or highly evolved wonder of nature? Disasters of pet ownership, or success stories? All varieties of companions allowed: Give me your lizards, cats, ducks and parrots. Oh, and I'm here to answer any questions about my experience. It's my first time with a dog, let alone a rescue. I will also happily take advice!