Yuri Muddypaws

This year has not been one for good news and I’m afraid it’s only getting worse.  This week, after much soul-searching, my family decided it was time for Yuri to rest.  After his beautiful comeback in February after extensive surgery to remove both stones and part of his Thyroid, Yuri was diagnosed with nasal cancer.  A large tumor had taken root in his nasal cavity and had begun to grow and had been present either during his surgery or directly after.  This was the percolating sound we had been hearing and were told was nothing.  Yuri also had a large lesion at the roof of his mouth, which none of us had known about, but which explained his sudden issue with chewing hard food/treats and his increasing halitosis.  It was so far along that none of the veterinarians we took him to could guarantee that surgery or treatment would be effective and as we had already invested much into his surgery, it was not something feasible for us to consider.  With heavy hearts, we decided the best thing for him would be to take him home, let him be as comfortable as he could be in his old age and control any infection and pain with medication.  And for almost 6 months that was enough.

Unfortunately, this week it became most apparent, the cancer had progressed far enough that he could no longer live comfortably.  Breathing had become more than a chore, the tumors in his nasal area had spread and grown into his eye socket, to the point he could no longer see and began to bleed.  His nose was constantly needing to be cleaned from drainage and bleeding and although we only had to up his pain medication once, he was not living much of a life as he would rouse himself for treats, dinner or car rides, only to be exhausted by it moments later.  As much life as he clung to in the end, it was a struggle and none of us could bear to see it.

And I find it absolutely unfair.

I am angry and sad that he survived and bounced back from a difficult surgery so zealously, only to be struck down by something so disgusting and painful.  I am angry that my beautiful, fuzzy, wonderful baby was overcome by such terrible symptoms and I am even more angry, that once again, we had to make the choice to end a pet’s life.  It is and always will be, one of the hardest things a pet parent who truly loves their pets will ever have to deal with and unfortunately, in my lifetime as a pet lover and parent, I’ve had to be involved with it far too often.  When I was in 6th grade, I had to make the decision to put my cat Willie (a pretty gray tabby) to sleep because his kidneys were failing and there was nothing anyone could do.  It had to be a snap decision and I loathed having to make it.  We had to put Rosie, my grandmother’s dog to sleep after taking care of her when my grandmother passed away because she was too stubborn to go on her own despite having liver problems and failing health.  Ozzie, our 16 year old dog that I had known since elementary school and grown up with had to be decided for, despite surviving years of Epilepsy and its treatment because he was elderly.

And now my Yuri.

I know that it’s something everyone who has a pet must face at some point.  Those fuzzy faces who love us so much they don’t want to leave and those who are too strong willed to let go trust in us to make the right decision, even though it so hard to.  When they live long lives with you, it is not like losing a family member, it is losing a family member and it makes one’s heart sick.  You always wonder if you made the right choice and although I know Yuri was never going to get better, no matter how much I might have wished, I can’t help but have a small part of me kicking myself for letting him go.  It’s a selfish part, but it’s a part nonetheless.

My boy :0)

I will always try to remember Yuri for the beautiful, strong, terribly sly dog that he was.  I will remember that he came home with us as a clearance puppy, because the night before we met him, he and his litter mate escaped their cage and had destroyed over $200 worth of cat toys and had made a terrible mess at a pet store that no longer exists.  The owner was so ready to have him gone, she had marked him down, despite him being a purebred.

I will remember bringing him home and “penning” the lyrics to a countryesque song titled “The Lonely Little Husky” to which there is a taped rendition somewhere, with me as a child, holding a nearly 30 pound puppy in my lap, trying to make him dance– While Yuri wanted nothing more than to sleep.

I will remember him by all of his nicknames; Yuri Muddypaws when he would come in everyday from the backyard, covered in mud from digging and playing in puddles.  The Yurinator, maybe not something he’d want to be remembered as, but certainly a tale worth remembering.  And on several occasions “That-Damn-Dog” or Houndini as he slipped out of the house or his collar once more to run through the neighborhood.

I will remember all the times he put our family friends through the wringer when they watched him as we were on vacation.  Somehow finding ways to escape harnesses touted as “inescapable” and wandering through strange neighborhoods, somehow charming meat market owners and grilling employees into feeding him their wares.  Or his one and only trip into the grocery store, escaping from our car– jumping up onto the door of another customer’s car and peering at her through her open window, scaring her into screams, only to dash into the store;  us chasing after him in time to hear “Dog in aisle 6″ over the intercom.  So many bag boys were happy for the distraction as they chased him through the store until he was finally cornered in the meat (of course) section, drawn to the sent of raw prime rib.

My mom, humiliated, dragged him back to the car, expecting us to be banned from the store forever, when the owner pleaded for a pardon on Yuri’s behalf.

“Don’t hurt him!” he begged as my mother tightened her grip on Yuri’s collar to air depriving levels.  She smiled at the man and said,

“Oh, I’m not going to hurt him– I’m going to kill him.”

Now, years after that escapade, we tell friends or fellow Husky owners the story gladly for a laugh and to let them know they won’t have it so easy if they own one of the extra-furry kind.

I will remember after several months of struggling to carry hundreds of Pennysavers alone, my mother ordered a special pack for Yuri, with pockets that we might split the load, so I would no longer fear having a hump from the weight of the bag and Yuri could get out of the house and work as he was bred to do.  It gave us time together and also gave me the opportunity to meet new people, attracted to Yuri’s striking features.  It earned me a few babysitting gigs and gave some lonely elderly folks a chance to talk to a girl and her dog who didn’t mind stopping to chat.  Did I mention it got us tips?

I will always remember the excitement it caused Yuri, when he saw me getting his pack ready with Pennysavers the night before we delivered.  He would always try to put it on right then and there, even though I tried to explain to him he had to wait.

I will remember the times he escaped and managed to be picked up, whether by kindly neighbors or the pound.  In one instance, he got away from us and had been picked up a by a person who was  likely, just trying to help, but rather than calling the information on his tag, took him to the Humane Society well out of town.  Despite having to put a number collar on him to find him in their kennels and obviously seeing he had a tag, they had chosen not to call us to let us know he was safe, but waited until the next day.  When my father and I arrived to bring him home, with an unwarranted “bail”, he heard us coming and started howling until we sprung him from jail.

Or the times he escaped to the neighbor lady’s house, the one who’s daughter had a Husky and knew what kinds of treats they liked.  The number of times he had gone to her house, where he was babied and let sleep on the couch (a no-no at home) and given yummy treats of chicken.  Or the times he rallied the troops into joining him on a break out, in the dead of winter.  Exhilarating for him, miserable for Ozzie and Faith who discovered too late, they should have packed warm coats and booties for the trip.  Yuri plunging on, icicles hanging from his whiskers and chin fur like jewels.

I will remember him as a loud mouth, just weeks old and scaring my father as he walked into the house reading the mail and suddenly “Hewwoh!” comes from nowhere; making my father believe someone had broken in.  Or the picnic where my parents were taunting him with a Subway cookie, telling him if he said he wanted it, he could have it.  After much frustration and begging on his part, Yuri finally cried, “AH WAHN ET!”, shocking my parents so much that he was handed the cookie without dispute.  I will never forget the two times in his life he actually barked.  Once at a gang of idiots who we had the pleasure of parking next to at a camping park, who decided to run through our campsite, causing Yuri to bark at them menacingly.  Or the time one of our trashcans had the gall to roll across the yard, startling Yuri into a barking match we had never heard before.

I will remember that he adored winter, as any smart Husky does and could never be in the backyard without diving into snowbanks or eating a mouthful of snow, just for the fun of it.  I will remember him frolicking and playing and bouncing in the snow, even when the rest of us hid in the house for warmth.  Demanding we turn a fan on for him in subzero weather, because he was still warm.

I will remember  how much he loved to open his own Christmas presents, ripping the paper off with finesse; half the time just because it was fun, not because he cared what was in it.  My mother often joked we should have wrapped rolls of paper towels for him, so he would have the joy of ripping off the Santa paper and destroying the roll inside.  He was never satisfied until any and all paper around him was torn into tiny, unrecognizable pieces, often the fate of important receipts and yes, even homework.  His fetish for chewing was not limited to paper, but blue Bic pens someone was silly enough to leave at nose level.  There were many a time when we would return home to find him blue from head to toe, proud that he had successfully destroyed another inky enemy.

I will remember that even though he became the clear alpha dog over our oldest dog, Ozzie, he was never cruel and cared for his elderly friend, even to the end.  Never eating without him, laying with him so Ozzie would not be alone, even when he was at his most uncomfortable.  He loved Ozzie as though they had been brothers since birth and despite their rambunctiousness, even came to love Faith and Paisley.  Reminding them often, when they were getting out of hand.

I will remember little kids asking to pet him, asking questions about him;

Child: “Does he like bikes?”

Dad: “Nah,  his paws don’t reach the pedals.”

I will remember all the fur, never ending in the shedding department and all the times we stood outside with him, brushing him and realizing the birds in the neighborhood had discovered what good insulation Husky undercoat was.  Lining up at patio’s edge, just out of reach of the jaws of death, but close enough a good breeze would bring a tuft of soft white fur close enough for them to grab and bring home for their babies.  I am happy to think of the number of nests and baby birds that are warmed by Yuri’s gift of fur.

There is so much about him that I cannot share here, because it would take much longer than people are willing to read to describe.  This post would be twice as long and boring to those who did not know him personally.  I concede that most pet owners believe their pet was the best of them all and that the world will not be the same when they are gone.  I cannot say that the world will know he’s gone, but in my pocket of it, he has touched enough lives that his passing will be noticed.  He was an incredible dog, in both smarts and beauty.  He stopped people in their tracks just walking by and had the personality of a dog who knew he was pretty but loved nothing more than his family and a good scratch (and maybe a few dozen cookies).  I will miss him so much as he has been a part of me for over half of my life.  He has seen me through years of awkward school days to college pains.  He has judged boyfriends and dog sitters, he has maintained shrew populations and caused laughter.

And today, he has brought me many tears, only because I loved him too much to see him go.

I love you my sweet boy.  You brought my life joy (and experience in cleaning up bits of paper) and I hope upon hope that you are with Ozzie now, young and beautiful again, romping in the green grass together.

Love you,

Jaina

Paisley’s Barkday

So, our little baby turned one– She actually turned one on the 16th, but this thing called WORK, kept preventing us from celebrating and well, I think we forgot too.  We’re bad, I know!  Anyway, since Mom and I got off work around the same time, we decided we would take Paisley to the pet store and let her choose whatever toys/treats she wanted–  We didn’t expect for her to want:

a Parakeet...

Mom and I tried to draw her attention back to the faux-furred, squeakable kind of toys, but she was not to be swayed.  She just watched these guys for probably 15 minutes while we were picking out her presents.  She couldn’t get enough– I joked that Paisley was probably wondering if the green ones tasted like mint and then Mom added that the blue ones were probably peppermint and the green/yellows were lemon-lime.

If you think we’re being mean, I should probably warn you, I have no love for Parakeets.  I think they’re pretty and all, but they are probably the ONE pet I would never, ever have.  They’re annoying, loud, they bite (to which your only consolation is when they DON’T draw blood) and they’re impossibly hard to catch when they get away from you.  How do I know?  I spent 30 minutes of my life trying to net one when he got out of his cage for the THIRD TIME.  As a family friend says they are “the little brainless, extremely mobile twits. They are SO aggravating.” To which, I could not agree more.

Anyway, so once she got over her Parakeet fetish for two seconds, we got her to look around the treat aisle, until she found what has to be the leg of a Wooly Mammoth.  Like, somewhere in the world, someone is breeding them and we just don’t realize they’re being sold in the dog treat aisle.

THAT ONE!! THE EXTRA JUICY, STAINY ONE!!!

Fortunately we were able to pry her away from that one as gentleman walked by with a few bags of cookies that apparently the Blonde One could smell, because she pretty much followed him down the aisle.  So we found the brand he had been carrying and they’re much less stainy and wayyy more stinky.

We were in the process of choosing some more treats when a lady that comes into the store every day with her two dogs (though I admit I’m blanking on her name) passed us by.  Paisley saw her dogs and immediately had to say hi.  So, Maggie and Jasper spent some time with us while she chatted with us about this and that and the concerns she’s had with Maggie.  Maggie, by the way, is probably the sweetest dog, ever.  She’s a terrier so she has SOOOO much energy, but she’s friendly and has to say hi to everyone, no matter what their size (read: she ran straight over to a Pit Bull and stuck her nose up the poor gal’s behind… If that’s not trust, I don’t know what is…).  Jasper on the other hand is pretty reserved.  He only gets excited for people he really knows and stays quietly next to his Mom while she’s chatting.  The patience this woman has with both of them is a blessing to see, considering so many animals are essentially thrown away because their owners just don’t get them.

Maggie's the one with the big smile on her face.

I don’t really like small dogs, but these guys are some of the few exceptions.  They’re sweet and very well behaved, even if Maggie does like to get a little personal.

After saying our farewells to Maggie and Jasper, we checked out– I impressed my mother with my employee discount and then we headed to the one place, Paisley was truly looking forward to:

MCDONALD'S!!!!

She got her own Happy Meal so she could have french fries (which she loves dearly) and then we got Faith and Yuri their own hamburgers so they could celebrate in style with their young padawan.

Yeah, Baby!

The birthday girl forgets her manners in the excitement... Or, this how she always eats...

Burger. Mine. Now. Do it.

Ooooh, I can't handwe de suspeeeennnnsssse! HAMBURGERRRRR!

They aren’t spoiled at all.  Once they finished their burgers, we opened up Paisley’s toys.  Which, I’m sure will be dead in about a week, if not less.  Don’t bet money on it, you’ll lose.

Faith was a bit jealous and decided to sneak a peek.

She has like 5 Bobos, all of varying size.

Notice how they’re all covered in fur and they’ve been out of the bag for about 5 minutes.

This one is my favorite-- It's a bitty dragon!

She got her own Sock Monkey, since she likes mine so much!

Not a Parakeet, but close enough that the ASPCA won't come after us.

And of course, the treats!

I don't know how anything with a cheese flavoring could be healthy, but if it keeps her out of my Cheesy Poofs!

They look like little Dachshunds!

This one had an eye... Or a bug.

I think we all had a good time, Yuri's still looking for the Pup Corn

Paisley seems to have enjoyed her birthday, even if it is belated.  As the baby, she definitely was more spoiled than the others were on their birthdays.  Somehow, I’m going to have to keep up for Faith’s birthday as we’re going out next week to celebrate hers!  I’m never going to save enough money for a house!  Eeek!  But, at least they’re happy and Paisley most of all as she’s figured out alllll the new toys are for her–

It's like the kid at school who licks the bottoms of all the desserts so no one will eat them... Isn't it?

We might have to work on the sharing thing.

Well, I’m exhausted.  Way too much partying for me, that’s for sure and I’m positive Paisley’s going to have a Pup Corn hangover in the morning.  Good thing she can sleep in!

Until then,

Jaina & Faith & Yuri & Paisley & Ianto & Uno & Baxter & Watson & Buddha (and because I forgot last post) & Snot

And He’s Back…

Well… He’s been back for a while, but you never want to report on these things too soon– and I’m lazy. So here is an update on Yuri’s condition.

February 4th, Yuri went in for his surgery, he needed to have part of his Thyroid removed and several bladder stones needed to be taken out.  As a 14 year old dog, there was no guarantee that he was going to survive the surgery and if he did, there was no guarantee he would recuperate well; nobody knew what was really going to happen.  So we gave him lots of kisses and goodbyes and see-you-laters and waited impatiently all day to hear how things had gone.

And then the vet finally called…

HE WAS OK!!!!  He had made it through his surgery very well and was resting.  He had woken from anesthesia and started howling almost immediately– Which is typical for a Husky who doesn’t like the vet.

Actually– That’s just a typical Husky everyday.

However, he was disturbing the other patients (not to mention the staff, I bet) so he was given a sedative until he was in his “happy place”…

Translation: He finally shut up.

That Saturday morning we got to bring him home and he was not at ALL sluggish or lethargic.  Which shocked us all as we expected him to feel miserable after such a horrific sounding surgery.  However, as soon as they brought him into the waiting room and he realized we were there, he was ready to go.  He got out the door before we did and was impatiently waiting for someone to ‘start the frigging car already because it’s cold out and he has no fur now!’  It was better than anyone expected, it was brilliant!

The car ride home was both happy and furry (he still sheds like crazy even though he’s shaved like a poodle) and it was nice to know he would be coming home.  I was so afraid any sudden stop would send him hurtling to his stitch-popping death, I had a vice grip on him the whole way home.  My coat still hasn’t recovered from the fur overload.  But, he had a happy homecoming regardless, because let me tell you– Somebody who shall remain nameless but is both yellow and Husky-like, missed him very much:

I wait hewe fow Yuwi.

Yuri was so happy to be home, I didn’t get much more than blurs for photos, so I can’t say there’s much to show except the many faces of Yuri on drugs:

Is this real?!

Whoaaaa....

I need sleeeeeeppp!

Yeah, he was a little out of it, but check out his new haircut!  To be fair, since it’s been almost two weeks, it’s already started to grow back– Mom says it makes him look mysterious, I think he thinks he looks stupid, since everyone comments on how beautiful his fur is.  Hard to be beautiful when your claim to fame is half gone, but hey, what do I know?

His stitches weren't as gross as last time, and he didn't try to pull them out either! They've been out for a week now.

Sorry it’s blurry– He honestly would not stop moving and that’s ok with me.  It means he was happy to be home and feeling good.

Yes-- They did shave *everything*... Poor guy.

Why Mister Spock-- Your ears have grown rather fuzzy...

At least they didn’t take all his fur off.  But after the excitement of seeing his girls and humans, he needed to rest again.  And it was good.

Rest my good boy, we'll be here in the morning.

But not before he let us know he hadn’t forgotten where the cookie jar is:

Nah, just dump 'em all on the floor, I'll take care of it.

So now, after all of this, he is stitch free, his fur is growing back in, he can pee normally and he doesn’t have to go back to the vet to have his calcium levels tested anymore (since they had to remove half of a gland that controls that stuff, they needed to make sure the remaining half could take over sufficiently and keep his now normal levels at normal) he can now stay home and chillax on his bed or around the house rather than be carted off to doggy daycare while the humans go to work and earn monies to pay for his surgery.  I’d say he’s rather thrilled about the bed part, but isn’t particularly sympathetic about the toils of his human pets.  Or as he would say:

“I’m half naked– Get over yourself.”

Anyway, I am THRILLED my boy is home and is looking so wonderful.  Even with the missing fur, he looks fabulous, he seems healthier (and has from day one).  My only concern is now when he breathes, he either sounds like he’s percolating or he’s practicing his Darth Husky impression.  It’s funny some days, others it concerns me, even if doesn’t concern the vet.

They can’t be right all of the time.  Anyway, he’s home, he’s happy, we’re happy, he better live forever now and we all realized how much we love and missed him.

Yo'we my favowite Yuwi.

Until next time,

Jaina, Faith, Yuri & Paisley Puppy

Yuri and the Story of the Hyper Thyroid

*Edit* Yuri’s surgery will actually be tomorrow,Thursday, February 4th.  Please keep him in your thoughts.

I’ve been keeping things quiet regarding a few things as tough decisions needed to made and diagnoses revealed in the last few weeks.  Now that everything seems to be settled, I guess I’d like to ask everyone to keep Yuri in their thoughts the next few days as he will be undergoing some fairly serious surgery come Tuesday.

Let’s start from the beginning– On Christmas morning, everyone was opening presents and generally being excited for the holiday.  Yuri in particular; he had just gotten some rawhide bones and was looking forward to chowing down on one.  After getting his little puppy lips on one, we noticed that it disappeared rather fast and that he had begun to walk funny.  Mom was worried that he had chewed about half, got annoyed it was taking so long and swallowed the rest of it whole.

Plausible, right? Sure looks like he ate one!

So, the next day she took him to emergency care to see if they could find it and what to do were it there.  Apparently x-rays can’t pick up rawhide (I don’t know why not) but it was very detailed in the picture of the staple he had swallowed.  He’s pretty, not always bright.  Despite the staple looking gargantuan and poky, the vet was less concerned about that and more concerned about his calcium levels from the blood work they had taken.

Yuri has always had issues with kidney stones and such, so high calicum levels weren’t especially surprising to us, but the vet was concerned it was a preface to a cancer diagnosis.  So, we were referred to a specialist, who was very impressed that Yuri looks so good in his old age (he is almost 15 years-old you know) and made him feel special.  She couldn’t tell us anything conclusive from the tests they perform at the office, so she made it apparent we needed to get a sample to one of their off-site labs as quickly as possible so we could begin treatment on whatever it was.

My boy :0)

Whatever it was being either cancer or a Thyroid condition– the latter being the more preferable of the two.  So Mom worrying for her baby (as we all were) had them get everything sent off and then either through incompentence or just plain idiocy, it took over a month to get his test results back.  I won’t go into the gory details, but if a lab specifically tests for something, like cancer– would it not make sense to have the supplies to actually perform the test?  So, whatever it was had a month to continue doing what it was doing to Yuri.

You have to keep in mind, we had taken him to the vet concerning something that wasn’t even related, which happens a lot in our family, but because of that, it’s not like we were aware of what kind of symptoms to really look for, or if he was handling being sick better than anyone could think of.  And even if symptoms did come up, how would we know what it was or what to do without a diagnosis?  After several frustrating weeks, we finally found out what’s wrong with him.

He has Primary Hyperparathyroidism (try saying that 10 times fast) and it’s caused a benign tumor (ask me what benign means, I dare you) to grow on his thyroid gland.  Despite it not being cancerous, the tumor itself will continue to grow and eventually block off his windpipe (It’s already causing him breathing issues) and it’s also causing the gland to overproduce and distribute calcium throughout his body.  Left untreated, it will cause his organs to harden and shut down and that is a most painful way to go.

So, despite the happy news that it’s not cancer, the unhappy news is that it requires surgery.  Both to remove the tumor and to remove bladder stones that were formed through the tumor being on the gland.  At age 14, he’s probably more at risk than a younger dog to have complications and from previous experience with a surgery to remove kidney stones, he heals very slowly and is irked by stitches.  He will be wearing the cone of shame for a while.

Don't worry, Dug. Yuri doesn't like the cone of shame either.

I’m very scared for him.  I know that as a dog, his life does not necessarily outweigh that of a human’s and he doesn’t necessarily understand what’s happening, but he’s my baby.  He’s my beautiful, funny, dorky, pushy, talky baby and I’m scared he won’t come home to me and the girls.

CHEEEEEEESEEEEE!

So please, if you have a little or even better, a lot of understanding for what it’s like to have so much love for a fuzzy love, please keep him in your thoughts during his surgery Tuesday and of course his recovery during the coming weeks.  If he were your dog, the joy he would bring you is insurmountable.

Be strong my sweet boy. We all love you and are pulling for you :0*

Much love to all our readers and most especially to Yuri, the bestest Husky of them all.

Until then,

Jaina, Yuri, Faith & Paisley

Uno De Gerbil V. Wheel

So, as anyone who actually reads this blog (I’m assuming just people I’m related to, thus this post may be pointless) has probably figured out, I have new pet.  I wasn’t really intending to get another pet, since changing jobs and now working one on one with animals every time I go to work.  Also, I promised my parents I wouldn’t bring home anymore fuzzy things…  Err… Sorry about that?

But, when I met my latest addition, it was kind of a given she needed to come home with me.  You see, the littlest Gerbil had an accident and in the process ended up losing part or all of her eye.  It’s kind of hard to tell looking at her, but it is very obvious she can only see clearly out of her remaining good eye.  Because of her injury, she couldn’t really be sold so she was up for adoption and since I’ve been taking care of her for the last few weeks, I figured who better to take her home and give her a good and guaranteed spoiled life than someone who already knows how she works?  Also, in the process of telling my boyfriend about her, I ended up naming her andthenitwasalloverbecauseIstartedcallingherbynameeverytimeIsawhernoI’mnotsorry!

Why yes, I did just justify bringing home a new pet despite my parents direct orders.

Hey, I am an adult– even if I don’t really own the house…

Although she’s a wee bit skiddish (I think just because she has trouble seeing), she’s very sweet and rarely do I get the impression her visual impairment slows her down.  Even the parents have decided they like her, as they helped me figure out her two story condo when I got home with her and discovered just how pathetically weak I am when I couldn’t get two pieces of plastic snapped over part of the cage.  Good thing I have an awesome Dad who actually has, I don’t know, muscle, or the Gerbil would have been living out of her box for a while.  Even with all of that, the unveiling led to everyone “awwing” over the new baby.  She just about leaped out of the box she was so happy to see daylight again and everyone immediately gasped and put their hands out to catch her, because no, I don’t need her to loose her other eye within 30 minutes of coming home with me.

So everyone welcome:

Uuuunn... Um... Hello?

Let’s try this again–

Sonofa... SERIOUSLY?!?!!

*grumble* Try this AGAIN…

Of course I would adopt a ninja, so you can't see her...

OOOOOne more TIMMMMMEEE:

Oh no! Human can see me, must throw Gerbil throwing stars!

All this tells me… Is either I need to put tranquilizers in her water or I need a faster camera…  REGARDLESS, may I introduce you to, Uno.  Yes, I named her based on her only having one good eye, but after seeing these photos, I’ve decided it’s a good gang name– You know, The Ninja Gerbils and whatnot.  Seeing as I spent 20 minutes snapping as many photos as I could and I couldn’t get a really awesome one…

I should also add, that she’s lived up to the age old knowledge that Gerbils like to chew things– and often not the things you’d like them to chew, like the munchee sticks or the toilet paper tubes or their FOOD… No.  They chew the things you’d rather them not– Like the built-in plastic wheel that comes with their cages… I mean, who honestly spends $20+ on a cage with a starter kit because they think the wheel is going to last longer than 48 hours?  Honestly?

Me.  That’s who.  I’m the idiot that thought since she was enjoying running in it, she would let it be and chew on the two or three toys I had put in there to deter her from chewing on the cage.  Yes, I am a fool.  How dare I think I could outwit a one-eyed Gerbil with her mind set on the total destruction of all things fun.

48 hours later and the wheel is a no-go

She must have sat there all day today, working on that.  And it’s like her mind wandered while she was doing it because she destroyed the nub that keeps the wheel on the stick part and thus, spinning and then all of sudden she’s chewed off a whole side.  Really?  How bored was she?

I don’t get it.  So now I get to add one more thing to the list of stuff I have to replace.  Gerbil proof wheel, new ball for Uno to run in when I clean her cage and a new water bottle, as the one that came with the set is the same kind I bought Ianto when I first got him– absolute crap.  If you ever think about buying a “Kritter Canteen” don’t.  Dwarf hamsters aren’t big enough to get enough pressure on the ball so the water will come out and apparently Gerbils don’t fare any better as I spent about 5 minutes squeezing the bottle for Uno because she wasn’t getting any water otherwise.  I suppose critter being spelled with a k should have been a clue, but alas, this one came with the cage too.

I did however learn something from this experience:

Destroyer of Plastic

+

48 hours later and the wheel is a no-go

=

Uno's long lost cousin

Good night all!  Until next time!

~Jaina, Faith, Paisley, Yuri, Ianto AND Uno (who better stop gnawing on that plastic ladder in her cage or she’s GROUNDED FOREVER!!!)

Belated Christmas: Paisley’s First

Yes… I forgot to write a Christmas post.  I suck at this blogging thing–

Anyway, we had a very Merry Christmas at our house and the dogs, made out like the bandits that they are.  Really.  I have pictures.  I was pretty spoiled too, but I have to say the dogs did pretty well!

But before we get started with the evidence, we in the midwest hope you all had a Merry Christmas and as Paisley says “And a Hippee Nude Deer”.  You might need an online translator for that one.  And now on to what we’re really here for.

Dad woke Faith and I up Christmas morning as he traditionally does, with Mannheim Steamroller playing to wake us.  It’s one of my favorite traditions and I think after 10 years, Faith has figured out that this is her cue to run to the door because Santa Paws has come and gone.  She loves getting presents so she was pretty excited when I kicked back the blankets and made my way to the door.  She wasn’t the only excited one.  Paisley had been let out of her kennel and was making a ruckus when she saw all the new things under the tree.  They hadn’t been there when she had gone to bed the night before and like a little kid, she knew immediately that there was something new:

Ohhhh, Chwismas twee ohhh Chwismas tweeeeeee, how yummy awe yowr bwanches!

Since Paisley likes to gnaw on Pine tree branches– I felt it was appropriate.  Just so you know, all of the packages wrapped in blue, are for the dogs… And you can’t even see them all from this angle…

I got a Sock Monkey! Paisley thinks it's hers but it's mine.

Oh man, were they ever excited to see all of those presents:

See what I mean?

Iz dat mine too?

They were quite excited to get their presents open.  A few of them were rather stinky (A real dog magnet) and they could tell it was for them just by sniffing them.  Yuri, is really rather good at getting presents open on his own:

This is the best Christmas EVER!

Paisley and Faith were just as happy:

Whatevewr yew're opening, it's miiiiiineee!

I would post photos of all of us opening our gifts as we all received some awesome gifts.  My Dad and I actually found gifts for Mom that she loved and for once, she had no idea what they were.  A typical Christmas includes Mom grabbing her gifts, giving it a little shake and calling it before she opens it.

This is rather aggravating.

But this time– HAHAHAHAHAHA.  WE WIN!!!  So, she was surprised, we were surprised and the puppies were happily gnawing on toys and Beggin’ Strips and not surprised– Because we’re wrapped around their little paws.

Anyway, like I said, I would have added pictures of the non-fuzzy people, but it was early in the morning and none of us were exactly– Attractive at that time.  I’ll post one that is a little less scary of myself– I had just received a Garmin Nüvi for Christmas and was very excited as I’ve needed one of those for years.  As I’ve mentioned in previous entries, I am directionally challenged.  Sometimes, I can’t even find my way around my own hometown and it’s rather humiliating.  Soooo, I was about two seconds away from kissing it.

At least I brushed my hair before I came downstairs, so there's that...

Sorry if you feel a sudden need to stab your eyes out…

So, I would say overall we all had a good Christmas.  We had a lovely Christmas meal, delicious turkey and sides and I’m very happy to say my Dad was able to accurately recreate my Grandmother’s turkey gravy; a recipe that had been lost for several years after she passed away.  I loved my Grandma very much and when she died it was hard to get used to holidays without her.  I remember family gatherings being what they were because she was there.  She made things from memory and the recipe for the gravy was no exception.  It was one of those “A dash of this, a handful of that” sort of things and we were fairly sure after many, many failures that it was a lost cause.  Well, this year, Dad tried again with the ingredients we knew were necessary and it was success.  So much so that I nearly cried when I tasted it as it transported me back to those days at her house during Christmas, her hovering over everyone and making sure her grandchildren were stuffed to the gills.  I miss her and I hope she and my grandfather who has also passed are celebrating together again.

Sorry… Reminiscing.  But as I said, the puppies were well spoiled this past Christmas and although I know it’s over for a while, Paisley is already plotting what she gets next year!

Much love and a Happy New Year!

Jaina, Faith, Paisley & Yuri (Oh and Mom & Dad too)

Chwismas Cookees and Snowee Puppees…

I know, I know, it’s been a long time since I posted. What’s new? Lots of stuff has happened since our last post and trust me it’s been interesting. As we’ve progressed into winter, we’ve all been getting things done, mostly Christmas shopping and the like, but either way. It’s been a long month and we still have a few days to go till Christmas.

Whiiiiich, by the way, for any of you who forgot, will be Paisley’s first. Though I’m pretty sure, she’s figured out that Christmas for puppies in our house means lots and lots of cool toys:

And dis is wewe all de bownes and Squeakies go, wight?

Paisley met her first Christmas tree a few weeks ago and has since taken to gnawing on it whenever she gets the chance.  It’s not surprising to look up and find a piece of Fraiser Fir stickng out of her mouth.  We noticed the trees were pretty sparse this year, so our tree is a little dry and easily chewed, so this isn’t a shock when she tries to wine and dine herself.  With nature.

Also, because we live in the midwest and winter isn’t winter without a blizzard– Guess what… We got a blizzard.  This was also Paisley’s first major snowstorm and she seems to be enjoying herself, even though the snow got to be about chest high on her:

Aneeebodee gawt a shovel?!

She’s more Husky then she lets on– she pants when it’s cold and can’t just walk passed snow– no, she has to have dive-bomb into every drift.  She never comes into the house dry.  I’m not looking forward to spring when there’s mud…  But at least the family gets that she loves to play in the snow:

Ah catch it! I wuv de snoooow!

This blizzard came as predicted and made it impossible for people to get around safely.  The college my father teaches at actually cancelled classes three days in a row, which never happens and my mother’s office decided to stay closed right before she left so she didn’t have to go to work.  Unfortunately, in some cases, as I attend a small college where 99.9% of the population lives on campus, closing is never a possibility.  And for the 1 or 2 people who live off campus– it sucks, because classes are never cancelled, even if there’s a lot of snow.  So, I got to make (or, rather, my mom did) an executive decision to stay home.  I wasn’t too broken up about it as this year seems to be the year for ridiculously stressful classes, and even though I was missing participation points, I honestly didn’t care I wasn’t there.

Since I stayed home, mom and I decided to do some of the baking we had planned on doing later in the week.  We had bought a cookie recipe magazine previously and had decided which ones we wanted to try and also a few traditional recipes we try to do every year, if possible.  And this year, we had help:

Dwoppp de cookee dowwwgh-- Dwopppp de cookee dowwwgh...

She’s Santa’s little helper these days.

Did you dwop any cookee dowgh yet?

We made several types of cookies and dipped Candy Cane Sticks, though we only handed out a few plates.  The rest we’ve been knocking back pretty well.  I’m all right with that.  They were good.  Aside from the usual sugar cookies, we also made Snickerdoodles, Chocolate Jubilees (omg, never make those if you only want a few!!  The recipe makes about ten thousand cookies!) and a few others that are soooo good:

Snickerdoodles

Chocolate Jubliee dough... 600 ingredients, 5 million cookies

I will never... Ever... Make these... Again...

At least someone ended up being happy in the process:

Ahhhh, happyhappy.

However, some of us found out the hard way what trying to sample the cookie dough for free comes to:

I haz been banished...

Yuri didn’t think this was fair:

Give me a minute... I'll figure this jail door out...

I’m not sure Paisley got the point– She’s too tall for this baby gate anyway and frankly, she uses her cuteness to get out of trouble– A lot.  As in, one look and we’re all forgiving her, her transgressions… No penance here, just adorableness…

I am de pwincess of dis caswle.

You see?  You’re falling for it too– don’t lie, I know.  You fell for it.  Get the Milkbones out now, because it doesn’t end here.

The snow kept going for two days straight and left us all with almost 10 inches of snow.  It doesn’t help the snow came back yesterday and came down so heavy that my parents, boyfriend and I couldn’t get to the extended family Christmas.  We had all been looking forward to it, we had presents to give and food to share and it took nearly an hour to drive less than halfway– That normally takes 20 minutes.  It just wasn’t in the cards, which was sad, because I was really looking forward to seeing my grandparents and family.  It happens, I suppose.  We live in the midwest, winters are usually hard and the weather doesn’t recognize holidays.  Gotta get over it and maybe we’ll get to visit later in the next week or so before I go back to school.

Anyway, Paisley has a big day tomorrow.  We’ve gotten some things together for PAWS & More Shelter where we adopted The Puppy.  She’s been with us since September and we’ve been lucky to see some good growth in her, both physically and behaviorally.  Although she still uses her genius for evil, she’s really very smart and can be a joy.  Since she’s brought so much to us, we figured it was only right to bring something to the shelter that brought her into the world and kept her safe until we could bring her home and add her to our family.  We’ve bought toys for the dogs and cats and also some treats for those fuzzy loves that haven’t found a home yet.

I’ll try to take photos tomorrow but the weather is threatening to stink again so we may not get to the shelter and I don’t know how crazy it’s going to get.  I guess we’ll see.  I’ll try not be slow when it comes to posting.

Whenever that it is, here are some photos of two of my fuzzy babies, looking lovely in the snow:

I wooowd weally wike to come inside pwease!

Or I wiww eat threw dis doow!

May I come in?

Until then!

Jaina, Faith & Paisley

And it’s Fall

: I’ve discovered that the tree in our backyard has forgotten that fall is a sort of  slow process.  You know, the leaves change, things are pretty for a while and even though it’s getting colder, you get a sort of calm before the snow, as it were.  Since we all complain the minute the weather isn’t a balmy 80*, we at least get to enjoy the pretty colors before it becomes snowy and cold– Or arctic if you happen to live in the midwest.  Like me.  Buuuut.  As I said, the tree out back– forgot.

Yesterday morning, I let the dogs out to do their thing and I could see the yard.  The grass was still pretty green, it was at least nice out and I didn’t think anything of it.  I went to class, came home, let the dogs out again… I could barely find the back deck.  It was like a reanactment of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree…  It just dropped everything it had, all at once and now it’s naked.

Bet it’s embarrassed about that.

Well, thanks to that, Paisley was able to enjoy her first pile-jumping day.  The leaves are stacked so high that in some areas that it almost reached her chest.  Since I was elated to have completed my finals today AND receiving an A on an IEP (if you’re a teacher you know what this is) development I had been ripping my hair out over, I thought it would be nice to enjoy the day with my puppies.  Paisley was doing belly flops into the leaves, Faith was worrying as usual and Yuri was just trying to stay out of it.

: De weaves awe so high!  I was afwaid she would get wost!

: Some days, I wish she would get lost out there, but that’s only when she’s acting like a maniac… Because, people– I’m tired.  We all are, I don’t know if it’s because we’re out of practice or because she’s a mix of two really energetic breeds– or both.  I don’t know.  I’m just tired.  I can’t keep up with her.

: I can.

: Not by much.  You’re not a puppy anymore you know.

: Why do you say dese huwtful tings?

: Sorry– you’re very energetic and all, but you’re a… Mature dog, she’s got a ridiculous amount of energy.

: Yeah… Dat is twue… I’m always tiwed when we go to bed.

: Exactly.

Spending time with them this afternoon was fun though and I’m glad I had the time to do it.  It was really nice out, the sun was shining and my puppies were having a good day.  And now that I don’t have 600 hundred papers due all at the same time, I’m able to enjoy it.  And take pictures.

:0)

Baby's first leaves.

Dat squirrel is gonna getz it.

I wuv you!

My pretty girl!

I feel wike SINGING!

: Oh my gawd… You said you wouwdn’t put dis one up!

: Oh, it’s cute, don’t worry.

*Faceplant*

I wuv weaves!

WEAAAAAAAVEESS!

DON'TYOUWUVWEAVESDONCHYADONCHYA!!??

I'm not in a Leaf kind of mood.

I don't understand women.

Hope everyone’s having a good week so far and is enjoying the fall.  Pretty soon I’ll be reporting Paisley’s reaction to a good snowstorm so enjoy it while you can.

: Yeah, I’m weally gwad I got a new coat fow de winter!  I have no fuw, I fweeze in de winter!

Until then!

Jaina & Faith

Paisley’s Day Out

So a few days ago, my Mom called me to run a few errands for her.  We were happy to do so for her and I figured it  would be a nice get away for everyone.  I’ve been feeling poorly, so doing things to get my mind off of it was ok with me and get the dogs out of the house.  So.  We did.

It was a clown car.

Let me outta Heeeeewwwweee!

He likes her... Really.

Whoa.

I promise… Yuri likes her– or at least tolerates her.  When we first had them meet, I think Yuri was excited to meet her, he just didn’t realize she was coming home with us.  Once he realized she was– He became slightly more cynical about the whole thing.  We’ve also discovered as he’s become the alpha male in our little pack, he’s sort of forgotten what it is to play and be puppy like.  Seeing as Paisley is both a puppy and intent on playing, Yuri is at a loss.  He doesn’t get it and it frustrates him.  So rather than loosening up, he becomes as I like to call him Senor Crankypants about it.  He doesn’t really flip out on her, he just reasserts that he’s in charge, which Paisley often forgets– she’s got that “no fear” attitude puppies have.

See what I mean?

I wiww eat dis camwa stwap if it's de last ting I doooo!

Oh sure, *now* she's sleepy

My favorite photo ever! ©Jaina

She really does love riding in the car, but Yuri didn’t feel like sharing the front seat with her.

Yeeeahhhh.

Can we go aweady?

Definitely sleepy

We got our errands done pretty quickly.  Mom needed me to pick up a birthday cake for one of her coworkers– That went in the trunk, because when you have three dogs in the car– one of which is a baby… No.  At least she’s a cute baby.

I have no idea how she does this

See what I mean?  She’s super bendy and she loves to lay like this.  Faith does too, but not quite as bendily.  It’s weird.  But, she’s decided she really likes beds, mine in particular.

It might as well be hers.

I wish I could get myself to post these faster, but I’ve been feeling pretty badly the last two weeks.  It wasn’t until Thursday I actually broke down and went to the doctor.  2 1/2 hours of waiting and I found out I might either have Strep Throat or Mono… Which, let’s face it, I’m in college, I could live in a bubble and still be ill.  Got some tests done, both came back negative, but I have a virus, no one could tell me a name and apparently either test could come back with a false negative.  I’m currently taking meds (since there aren’t really meds for viruses) that are supposed to deal with the symptoms.  Thus far, it doesn’t really feel like it, but I have no idea when it’s supposed kick in or what it’s supposed to do really.  I’m just hoping I can wake up feeling energized for a change and not in the middle of the night coughing with some serious chest pain.

Enough whining– aren’t my puppies beautiful?

Until then,

Jaina & Faith

Little Possibilities…

: Well… We still don’t have any interesting photos to post today… Faith had to stop at the vet this afternoon–

: Against my wiww… I tawt it was gonna be a fun caw wide… But noooooo, I got a shot in de butt.  My BUTT!

: It was only a little pinch and you’re better off for it anyway, I mean, our very nice vet gave you cookies, I gave you cookies and hey, you’re protected from Rabies for the next 3 years.  I’m not seeing a downside.

: It was a shot.

: A teeny, tiny, insignificant little–

: IN MY BUTT!

: Could you stop saying that?

: Saying what?  Butt?  Buttbuttbuttbuttbuttbuttbuttbuttbutt–

: I’m glad I can call you my mature dog, oh wait!  No I can’t.

: Mommy, it huwt.  What is dis Wabies anyway?  I mean, is it like an evil Ninja dat only attacks butts?

: Er.  No.  Have you seen Ol’ Yeller?

:  Is it a cookie?

: No… Actually.

: A squeaky?

: Nooo.

: Den it isn’t worf seeing.

: Ok, you know what, never mind… Rabies is bad.  Let’s leave it at that.

As you’ve probably gathered, Faith got her Rabies booster today and she wasn’t pleased.  She was very good, but as it is, she’s hijacked my bed and isn’t planning on returning it anytime soon– That and I gave she and Yuri a bath this evening.  That might also have something to do with her not speaking to me.  But hey, at least she smells better.

: I put de diwt dere fow a weason, mommy.  You distuwbed de diwt.

: Faith, my love– It was gross.  You were gross.

And even after all of that torture, she has even more to endure tomorrow.  She and Yuri are going in to get Bordetella (I have no idea if that’s spelled right) vaccine or Kennel Cough, for those laymen like me that aren’t into all the highfalutin’ specialty words.

There’s a reason for this, actually.

We’re havin’ a baby!

Maybe.

See, on Sunday afternoon, when I was at work, the parents were out and about, doing stuff that despite not interesting me terribly, would have interested me a lot more than work.  At the time.  One of their stops happened to be PetSmart so they could pick up some treats for the dogs and a few surprises for Ianto– Who my mother, lovingly albeit a little annoyingly calls “Squeaky”–  Well, apparently while they were there, they realized it was National “Second Chance at Love” Day or something on that lines and the store was full of fuzzy faces looking for a home.

Since we’ve had a lot of heartbreak in the last year and a half, we weren’t really looking for a new family member, but these things have an odd way of happening.  And although nothing is set in stone, yet, we may have had one of those things, happen

While they were there, they happened upon a few puppies, probably 12 weeks or a little older, who were apparently the cutest little things ever.  Why so special to us?

They’re a Lab/Husky mix.  It’s like Faith and Yuri had a love child (: ew!  NO WAY!!!!) but in a completely not gross way, because in our world, Faith and Yuri our brother and sister.  So.  Whatever.  But it’s true.  Yuri is a Husky, Faith is a Lab (well, the majority of her) and it’s like these puppies were the best of both worlds.  Well, because we weren’t really looking, they came home without any fuzzy faces, but mom was determined to show me.  She found their photos online and we immediately fell in love with one of the boys of the litter.  His name was Bentley and he had big green eyes and very familiar Husky smile.

He had to be ours.  However, since Ozzie’s passing in June, it’s been very hard on Dad to even think about another dog.  He and Ozzie were close and as with any family, the loss was painful.  But he should know, this dog isn’t a replacement, no one could ever replace Ozzie, but Mom says “If you’ve ever had such a good friend, it’s not that you’re replacing them when you lose them, you want to have more good friends, just like them.” Also, since Yuri is getting up in years, Mom wants to make sure he has a friend, since Faith and I will most likely move out in about two years into our own home.  Seeing as Yuri is a Husky and Huskies are very social, being alone isn’t ideal.  So, Mom thinks finding someone to keep him company is a good idea and getting them at a time where life isn’t like it was when Ozzie reached his time.  I agree, but I couldn’t help feel excited when Dad agreed.

He’s been wonderfully patient with Mom and I.  I know it’s probably not easy for him and he’s leery about getting another dog, to join us and grow old, but I’m sure he’ll like them regardless.  Even if it isn’t right away.

I digress.

Bentley– Well, I called about Bentley, I e-mailed about Bentley and impatiently waited for a reply.  Trust me, I went to the movies with Blake and although I loved the movie, I was really hoping there would be a reply in my box saying he was available for us to adopt.

Seriously, how could you NOT want him?!

Unfortunately.  For us anyway.  He wasn’t.  Bentley had found a forever home and although I’m very happy that he’ll have a home and hopefully a very loving family, I couldn’t help but feel sad and a wee bit jealous of them when I received the call.  There was still some light at the end of the “Trying this Adoption thing Tunnel” when the woman (very nice lady) told me that they had one more puppy left.  A little girl.  Her name is Paisley.  She has a gold eye and a blue eye and although they had thought she was going to be adopted and didn’t post any photos of her on the website, the adoption had fallen through.

And were we interested?

Well duh!

Since we originally had our hearts set on Bentley, the thought that there might be another of the litter available was wonderful.  Because they’re closed on Mondays, we weren’t able to see her or even get a photo, so we don’t know for sure what she looks like (apparently she’s a bit bigger than Bentley, see above, he’s pretty big for a baby)– but they’ve said she looks like her brothers/sister With a mix of both eye colors.  Very cool as Yuri has blue eyes and Faith has brown.  That would make it even more perfect.  She is also, per the nice lady’s opinion, very sweet.  So I have high hopes, she’d be the first girl dog in this house as Faith acts like a boy 99.9% of the time.

: Hey!  What is dis, pick on Faifee day?

So, now we wait.  After an absolutely insane day!  I had class till 11:30, went to have a violin lesson that was canceled because I have a cough (long story, no time) and then playing a form of phone-tag with mom to figure out how to get the paperwork they sent us done, Faith’s Rabies shot updated and who knows what else in a matter of hours.  I surprised my vet into letting us have an appointment out of nowhere, rushed to C.R. to get the forms to scan and send, get money for Faith’s shot and then actually pick up Faith to get the shot.  All before I had to return to school for my symphony rehearsal… Oh, did I mention that even though I got the forms scanned, I forgot they were too big and it sent it back to me twice?  Yeah, can’t save anything on the desktop at school, so I had to bother Dad to fix it and send it for me so the director of the shelter wouldn’t think we’d blown her off.

Joy!

But, that part’s taken care of.  For now.  Now we wait till tomorrow– I have a short class day and have to take the two brats, I mean, lovelies to the vet so we can protect them from Kennel Cough, just in case this little girl has it.  I don’t think they’re the type of place to let their dogs get sick, but you never know where some of them have been, who they’ve seen, etc.  If Faith and Yuri got Kennel Cough at their age, I’m pretty sure it could be disastrous.  I would not want that.  Ever.  I would like to bring this puppy home and call her mine, but not at the risk of my own baby, Faith.  She means too much to me.  So, off to vetland we go and she’ll hate me for about 5 seconds and then cookies and kisses will be exchanged and then we’re off to see baby.

We’re taking them with us, just to be sure they’ll get along.  Yuri’s pretty laid back, so I don’t foresee trouble, but Faith might think I’m trying to replace her and not feel so generous.  But, then again, she has that wonderful maternal instinct, maybe she’ll surprise me.  She did today at the vet’s, so I’m not overlooking anything.

Here’s to hoping we have a new baby tomorrow!  They can still deny the adoption for whatever reason (we have a fence, experience, food, love, trained dogs, the desire for a new dog… Why they would?) I don’t know.  So we’re definitely crossing our fingers that whatever kind of interview we have, it goes well and that we can bring Paisley home… At some point, maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day, I don’t know how that works.  If there’s anything I’ve realized, it’s that at least in our neck of the woods, it’s much more time consuming and difficult to adopt than it is to simply buy a pet at the store.  Which is why I’ve realized people don’t adopt as much.  I get that the shelter is trying to make sure already traumatized and forgotten pets are placed in good homes, but the process certainly scares people away, I’m sure.  If I didn’t love the idea of Paisley so much, I might not have put as much effort into getting the paperwork done and sent and made arrangements to meet her.  But, I think in the end, it’ll be worth it.  I hope my heart melts tomorrow, because then it definitely would be.  Here’s to wishing!

Until then!

Jaina & Faith

P.S. If considering adoption, please be sure to consider older animals.  I feel like a double-standard.  For us, a puppy is better, since we’ve had so much heart-break with our older pets recently.  Just keep in mind, older pets are sometimes better pets.  Sometimes they come trained and certainly full of just as much love if not more for you.  They deserve a second chance just as much as puppies or kittens and it’s depressing and unnecessary to see them wither away at shelters or be euthanized because everyone wants the glamor of a baby animal (Again, I’m a hypocrite, I know, but at least I’m being honest).  Just please, don’t forget the older pets.  4 or 5 years old isn’t old, it’s just the beginning.  Don’t forget them!