PUPPY TALES: Doggone It! Have a Happy Heart Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

Or as Chuck refers to this day: another opportunity for the male to fail. Poor thing. I assured him I want no flowers, no candy; not even a Valentine's card. He shows me how much he loves me every day; he's got nothing to prove today.

One of the best things Chuck did for me was on Saturday, at the Anderson Animal Shelter. My husband gave me the most beautiful puppy I have ever seen, even though he only likes Labs and German shepherds. My puppy is neither; Bristol is a mutt. A very handsome mutt. And Chuck made sure Bristol was mine.

What about Chuck's Valentine? Knowing how much my husband loves Labrador retrievers, how could I refuse the opportunity to help him raise Sam, this darling little Lab mix female we adopted along with Bristol? Two puppies to love!

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How serendipitous for Valentine's Day that in yoga, we did a Heart Practice today. It's been a couple days since I've done my yoga, so I'm only on day 28 of JANUARY's Yoga Revolution with Adriene. (Yeah, I know. It's the middle of February.) I loved today's session entitled "Heart Practice." Yoga isn't quite as peaceful with Bristol whimpering for attention from the puppy crate, but I got it done today!

PUPPY TALES UPDATE: 

Last night Chuck posted this on Facebook:

Isn't THAT the truth! Potty training had started out so well, but yesterday we had some serious relapses. Peeing on the carpet seemed to be all the rage last night, for both puppies. 

We're looking into buying a puppy pen. Hopefully, we can restore some order to the house. I'm thinking if someone were to drop by for a visit, they would understand the puppy pen better than our strange arrangement of furniture and boxes blocking off room entrances. You won't see our home featured in Better Homes and Gardens any time soon.

Whether you are celebrating Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day, or just having a regular old Tuesday, I hope you have a wonderful day today, and get to do something you love to do. Thanks for checking in on our Puppy Tales. We're surviving, and the puppies are thriving. 


MORE PUPPY TALES

I Accidentally Fell in Love  

All Bets Are Off  

Furever Home  

A Two Puppy Home  

Just What Kind of Dog Is Bristol? 

The Difference Is Like Night and Grey

PUPPY TALES: A Two Puppy Home

The coffee on the counter was cold. The smoothie in the blender sat untouched. No yoga for me today. There were empty dog food bowls to be filled, puppies to take outside, and Chuck needed breakfast. What had happened to our morning routine? 

They are already good at "SIT." I thought it would be a long time before they would respond together. What a nice surprise!

Saturday we adopted two puppies, and our lives have been turned upside down, but in a good way; I think. While our nights are all out of whack, our days are filled with so much good stuff: dog walks in the fresh air and sunshine, puppy kisses and cuddles, games of fetch, and our devoted canines at our sides while we work at our computers.

Last night I set my phone with several alarms throughout the night. For now, our pups need to go potty every 2-3 hours.

The puppies seem to have no trouble falling back to sleep after potty breaks. I, on the other hand, struggle. (Was it only last week I was saying my Himalayan salt rock lamp had cured my insomnia?) I'm hoping in about five more months, our whole household will be sleeping through the night again. Fingers crossed.

I think they're starting to actually like each other.

Our home has an open floor plan, and we have had to get creative in our attempts to limit where the dogs can go. There are boxes blocking off the hallway. Furniture is blockading the carpeted area of the family room. The dog crate is positioned in the doorway between the kitchen and office. As Chuck says, "The feng shui of our house is all messed up now." If we ever had any feng shui going on in the first place. 

Samwise Gamgee, aka Sam

When I see how happy Chuck is to have his little black shadow as they walk down the street, I know he has found the perfect dog for him. Sam sleeps at his feet in his office while he is at his computer, and she scampers around him happily when it's time to play. Chuck loves throwing a tennis ball for Sami, and she loves to bring it back to him. She is fulfilling my husband's dream of having a little Lab of his own.

Bristol

When Bristol puts his paws on my shoulders and lays his head on my chest to doze, I am in heaven. He seems to "heel" naturally on the leash, without much encouragement from me. I've had Labs most of my adult life, and found them to be very challenging puppies for me to control, and I was ready for a calm and steady companion this time. Bristol is the dog of my dreams. 

Bristol is already such a good walking partner.

We're only on day three with our fur babies. We've sure spent a lot of money in the last couple of days, with the adoption fees, dog crate, puppy food, leashes, dishes, and toys. We both sleep less. Our house is no longer the tidy home it used to be. Do I regret taking on two puppies at once?

No, I don't; not even a little. One of my favorite quotes from Dean Koontz is this:

"Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished."

We've both had good dogs of our own, and we felt the time was right to have them as a couple. I feel like our lives are happy and complete, especially now that Bristol and Sam have joined us. I wouldn't have it any other way. 

MORE PUPPY TALES:


I Accidentally Fell in Love  

All Bets Are Off  

Furever Home  

Doggone It! Have a Happy Heart Day!

Just What Kind of Dog Is Bristol? 

The Difference Is Like Night and Grey

PUPPY TALES: Just What Kind of Dog Is Bristol?

When the staff at an animal shelter evaluates an intake, they make their best guesses as to the dog's breed, but they don't make any guarantees of a dog's genetics. Many dogs are listed as Lab mix, Pit bull mix, Shepherd mix, or Terrier mix. Those breeds are pretty common, so they're pretty safe guesses.

Bristol was known as Mercury at Anderson Animal Shelter, and he was listed as a Terrier/
Pit bull/Dachshund, smooth hair mix. Hard to believe, right?

When I read Bristol's information sheet taped to his litter's kennel at the shelter, and it said he was a Terrier, Pit bull, Dachshund mix, I kind of laughed. I figured they were making wild guesses with that Dachshund bit, but then I actually met his mother who was in a kennel across from her puppies. Mama Matilda gave birth to her large litter while en route from Oklahoma to Anderson Animal Shelter. She is the funniest-looking little thing, and just as sweet as can be. If she isn't part Dachshund, she is definitely something with short little legs. Meet Matilda, Bristol's mama! (She's available for adoption, by the way!)

So, what IS Bristol? I think most of us agree, he doesn't have a lot of his mother in him. Many people accept that Bristol is a Pit bull mix, but we've had some other guesses from dog people who mention how much he resembles a Sharpei with his wrinkly face and body. Some think he looks like he could have some Mastiff in him, or maybe even Cane corso. (Thanks for the Cane corso thought, Beth Vickers!)

Bristol loves to relax, whether it's sitting, lying down, or sleeping.

Look at some of these puppies I found in my Google search:

Wow! Tough call. He might just be a Heinz 57 mix. I just know I like the way he looks. What do YOU see?

Our Bristol (Photo credit: Chuck Bennorth)

I'll tell you what I see. I see the most wonderful specimen of a dog. His gorgeous blue-grey eyes, his handsome massive head, and his adorably smooshy snout with oodles of wrinkles just made me swoon from the first time I saw him. 

He has ginormous paws that indicate he has some serious growing to do, but given his mama's size, it's anybody's guess how tall he'll be. He has a laid-back personality, and he loves to cuddle with me on the couch. 

He's going to be a pretty big lap dog, I think.

He isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he seems to want to please, and he's already learning some of his basic commands, just not as fast as our smart little Lab mix. 

SIT. Good boy!

Some friends have suggested we could get Bristol's DNA tested, if we wanted to be certain. I admit I'm curious, but mostly, I really don't care. I just love Bristol, whatever he is. He is the most handsome dog I have ever known. That he is mine makes me grin from ear to ear.

Three days before I had any idea he would ever really be mine!

MORE PUPPY TALES:


I Accidentally Fell in Love  

All Bets Are Off  

Furever Home  

A Two Puppy Home  

Doggone It! Have a Happy Heart Day!


The Difference Is Like Night and Grey

PUPPY TALES: Furever Home

By now, you have probably figured out that Chuck and I ended up adopting TWO puppies; male and female; his and hers. Everybody wins! And two puppies found their furever homes, and will no longer have to wait at Anderson Animal Shelter, hoping someone picks them.

Meet Chuck's little Samwise Gamgee (Sam), and my little Bristol.

Chuck had planned a Saturday date for us over a week ago. He wanted to drive into Chicago to take pictures of the spring flower show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, and finally take me to the free zoo there. 

Friday was a sleepless night for me; I was so worried Mercury, the puppy I ACCIDENTALLY FELL IN LOVE with, wouldn't be at the shelter when we made our final decision. Saturday morning, it was decided: we would each get a puppy! 

After breakfast, Chuck asked if I were still wanting to go to Chicago. Since the shelter didn't open until 11:00 anyway, I figured it would be a good way to pass the time because I could hardly wait to get my baby boy! Just to cover my bases, I sent an email to the staff before the shelter even opens to "reserve" my puppy, and asked if they had time to please call me if he were still available so I could quit worrying about him.

On our drive to Chicago, I got a phone call from Anderson Animal Shelter. Yes, Mercury was still available, and yes, we could come pick him up on our way home. Those people understand dog people! I felt like I was going to burst from all of the happiness. 

One of the few large animals out for viewing. 

We walked around the conservatory, and the zoo. I took a few pictures, but not as many as I normally would. Chuck teased me, asking if I were a little preoccupied. Oh, was I ever! Finally, he offered to leave Chicago earlier so we could pick up our puppies. I leapt at the chance!

Look how Sam adores him already.

On the way to Elgin, Illinois, we discussed possible names for our pups. My big galoot of a puppy and Chuck's little female couldn't have just ANY name. I came up with Bristol for mine, referencing the Bristol Renaissance Faire where Chuck and I have enjoyed spending so many summer days. (This summer will be a little different with two puppies; we will have much less time away from home because they will depend on us for so much for awhile.) Chuck loves Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and chose Samwise Gamgee for his puppy's name. We will call her Sam or Sami. 

First stop: Anderson Animal Shelter in Elgin to pick up Bristol.

Second stop: Anderson Animal Shelter's new adoption center in North Aurora.

We had a crazy time shopping for dog food with our little ones in tow, and listening to two puppies whining in the back of the car in their crate on the way home. Sami just whines a little; Bristol has quite a set of pipes on him when he decides to wail. 

How did we ever get our work done without the help of canines before?

Our night was spent getting to know our charges better, playing outside, going for a walk, cuddling on the couch, and then trying to edit pictures from our last shoot. 

The puppies are brother and sister already. They play together. They fight over toys. And they share sleeping quarters. We had an uneventful night, without any wailing or whining. They both groggily got up at 1:00 when we took them out for a potty break, and then they slept until 4:00 when I took them out for my first solo walk with them in the backyard. 

We know raising two young dogs will come with its challenges, but I am so glad we have them both. Sweet, smart Sami helps Bristol calm down when it's time for the crate. They will have a constant companion in each other. They have found their furever home with us. I could not be any happier.

Bristol is a cuddler.

Many of our friends have speculated about Bristol's DNA. If you're curious about our little Pit bull mix, you can read about his funny little mama, that I actually met at the shelter, and you can see what YOU think he is...HERE.


MORE PUPPY TALES:

I Accidentally Fell in Love  

All Bets Are Off   

A Two Puppy Home  

Doggone It! Have a Happy Heart Day!

Just What Kind of Dog Is Bristol? 

The Difference Is Like Night and Grey

PUPPY TALES: All Bets Are Off

My heart is so full. Last night Chuck and I visited two different adoption centers run by Anderson Animal Shelter, and we cuddled puppies, and played fetch with them, and tried to decide our next step in our puppy adventure.

Did I mention I love puppies?

You know I promised I would go, just to hold the puppy I fell in love with, and NOT bring him home last night. I stuck to my word. 

As we left, I was so proud of myself.

"See, I was able to leave him there. And I didn't even cry."

"You didn't even whimper," Chuck said.

But my heart was a little heavier leaving my smooshy-faced puppy at the shelter. Did I say "MY?" We're in trouble.

We were on our way to another shelter, located a couple of towns over. Chuck had his eye on a little Lab mix puppy we had seen a couple nights ago.

"Julie" was adorable. She scampered after the balls we threw, and brought them back to the one of us who had thrown it. She was smart. When Chuck picked her up, she gave him kisses before she scrambled out of his arms to play with her litter mates.

We discussed the pros and cons of each puppy. This was hard. I was so in love with Mercury that I could hardly talk about the merits of Julie, even though there were many. 

So today will be decision day. Which puppy will come home with us? Will it be Julie, the smart little black Lab puppy that is already showing signs of being a great retriever? Or will it be Mercury, the big galoot of a mutt, who loved to cuddle and cavort after balls, but wasn't too keen on the returning portion of retrieving?

Chuck asked me what Mercury whispered in my ear before we left. So I told him.

"Take me hooome.  Don't leave me here." 

Sigh. I hated to let baby Mercury down last night, but I promised my husband I wouldn't adopt a puppy last night. 

Today, all bets are off. 



Are you wondering how this story ends? You can read about our dog adventure HERE.

MORE PUPPY TALES:

I Accidentally Fell in Love  

Furever Home  

A Two Puppy Home  

Doggone It! Have a Happy Heart Day!

Just What Kind of Dog Is Bristol? 


The Difference Is Like Night and Grey

PUPPY TALES: I Accidentally Fell in Love

So, I've been a little absent because I've been more than a little sick. No big deal; just a bad cold that has had me sleeping. And sneezing. And coughing. And napping. I've been under the weather.

I was complaining to Chuck that although I have written every day, I just didn't have anything worth sharing. The only thing I've experienced is being sick, and who wants to read about that?

"How can you say that?" he asked. "We just went on an adventure!"

"Oh, you mean when I accidentally fell in love?"

It's true. I did. I didn't mean to; it just happened.

We have been looking for a dog. And while we were looking online, I noticed one of the animal shelters utilizes volunteers to walk dogs. What a great solution for me, I thought. While we are waiting to find the perfect canine fit for us, I can love on these adoptable doggies, and take them for walks. Everybody wins!

Chuck offered to take me to Anderson Animal Shelter to check it out, to see if I could see myself working there as a volunteer. I could hardly wait to go. A building full of dogs and puppies! Oh, boy!

When Chuck got home from work, we drove to the shelter together. The place was enormous, and the large parking lot was nearly full. 

Inside the building, the place was abuzz with activity. Two couples were filling out paperwork at the front desk, a young man was playing with cats in one of the cat colonies behind a glass door, families were playing with prospective pets in the two visiting rooms, and volunteers were bustling back and forth. There was a puppy pen full of roly-poly puppies in the front lobby. We finally caught a staff member's attention, and asked permission to go back to see the dogs.

Two volunteers were cleaning out the kennels. Black wet noses were peering over the tops of the walls, and curious faces looked through the gates. There were all sorts of dogs; large and small, young and old, just-weaned pups, and mamas. 

And then I saw him. 

Doesn't he look like a big ole grey Labrador retriever puppy?

He was part of a huge litter of pit bull mix puppies, coats of grey with white markings. There were so many in the bunch, I didn't even count them, but they each had the name of a planet, so maybe there were nine (or ten!) of them. 

Mercury had a chubby face and light-colored eyes, and he was almost solid grey. We locked eyes, and he kept staring at me. When he sat up, he looked at me with those big puppy eyes, and even when he flopped on the floor, he kept looking up through the gate. 

Oh, be still my heart. I wasn't here to adopt a puppy. I was just here to see about being a volunteer. But what could it hurt to just hold him?

In order to visit with an adoptable pet, one must first fill out an adoption questionnaire. Once that is turned in, one has to wait until a visiting room becomes available. So, fill out a form, we did, and wait, we did. We had already been there over an hour, and I could see Chuck was getting tired. He had worked all day, and it was past our dinner time. I knew my time was up.

I apologized to the harried staff member, and told her we would try to come back later. And then we left. 

And I left my heart...in an animal shelter, with that little wrinkled face. Yes, I accidentally fell in love with a mutt, and I just can't get him out of my brain. Or my heart.

P.S. Chuck says we can go back to the shelter so I can hold him, if I promise we won't come back home with a puppy tonight. 

That's going to be hard, but I promised.  



If you enjoyed this blog post, and you want to know how our visit went, you can read about that HERE.

MORE PUPPY TALES:

All Bets Are Off  

Furever Home  

A Two Puppy Home  

Doggone It! Have a Happy Heart Day!

Just What Kind of Dog Is Bristol? 

The Difference Is Like Night and Grey

How Much Is That Doggy in the Window?

Here it is after noon, and I have not accomplished much of anything today. Unless you count perusing Petfinder online as productive. Looking for a pet to adopt is a little overwhelming. Do you know how many dogs are looking for their forever family? 

Chuck's favorite dog was a chocolate Labrador retriever named Mocha. My most recent dog, and one of my most beloved pets, was Marley, a Boston terrier. 

At first, I was spending a lot of time viewing Boston terriers, but so many of them had serious issues: spina bifida, blindness, deafness, uncontrolled bowels and bladders. I began to think a mixed breed would have less problems. 

Then I happened upon a compromise, of sorts. I found two dogs that were mixes of Labs and Bostons! Does that sound so strange? Well, to each her own, but I found them to be adorable!

This is the mama. Her daughter is in the picture at the top.

I'm pretty sure I'm alone in my enthusiasm for these little Boston retrievers; Chuck didn't seem too impressed. That's okay. WE'RE GOING TO GET A DOG! I'm not too particular about WHICH dog; I just want a dog. 

Chuck and I have been dog people most of our lives, but back in the day, when we found ourselves divorced and single, life without a dog became the new normal for us. When your life is about working all week, and trying to socialize on the weekends, your focus is not where a dog needs it. 

We are ready to become a dog family. A family with a dog. Does anything make a house homier than having a dog? (Okay, you cat lovers, I should have said is anything more homey than having a PET. There.)

In my piece, For the Love of Marley, I was celebrating the greatest little Boston terrier I've ever loved, and I've loved a few. I knew my days with him were numbered, as it came time to surrender him after my divorce. As I reflected on my life with him, I concluded: 

"I realize that Marley will not be with me forever; that is a given with any family dog. No matter how much time we have left together, I promise to make the most of it, and to love him for as long as I have the chance. I'm so grateful for him, and because of Marley, I know that I will never be without a dog. No dog can replace him, but I now know that a life without a dog is a life diminished." 

We've been without a dog long enough. It is time to open our hearts and home to a fur baby who will belong to Chuck and me. I am so excited; I can hardly wait. Back to dog shopping!