Super Duper Cooper

We had been thinking about getting a small, indoor dog.  We wanted something we could take camping, that Cody could easily handle, that could snuggle up with the kids on the couch to watch a movie and sleep in the bed with them at night.  We had something in mind...a fluffy little brown or black dog, about a year old that we could rescue from the shelter.  Really the only thing that we didn't want was a short haired, white dog.  I just don't like white animals.  Sorry.  Personal preference.

Back in June, mom called me and asked if when I came over, if I was planning on bringing the kids.  I told her I wasn't and we chatted a while longer.  Just before I hung up, she excitedly said "OKAY!  Let me tell you why I want you to bring the kids over!"

That morning, she walked into her laundry room and looked out the window.  There was a small, what she thought was a baby possum, curled up by her fig tree.  She walked outside and it was a puppy.  Just as a side note, this is the fifth puppy that has been dropped off/abandoned at her house in the year she's been living there.  Word must be out that she's the place to take unwanted puppies.

So I asked Britney and Cody if they would ride with me over to Grandma's.  We loaded up and headed over to see this guy.

We estimated that he was about 8 weeks old and think he's a Rat Terrier/Chihuahua mix.  Which means he's a puppy, has short hair and is VERY white.  Figures.

We decided to bring him home and give him a trial run to decide if he's a good fit for us.  We kicked around  A LOT of names, and finally ended with Cooper...as in Sheldon.  LOVE us some Big Bang Theory!

We've had him for about three weeks and he's weaseled his way into our hearts.  Well, everyone's except for Britney.  She's never felt like he's her dog.  But Cody sure does!  He LOVES him.  Cooper loves to snuggle and sleeps all night in the bed with Cody, loves to play and chew on his toys...and on hands, toes, feet, and anything else he can grab, he's a huge fan of dirty socks and if he disappears, it's because he's fallen asleep in the laundry room.  He has good and bad days with house training, but he's still a baby.  He'll get there.

I'm anxious to take him camping with us and see how he does.  He loves riding in the car.  He's gone to Dad's with us once and slept or played with Cody the whole time.  I'm sure he'll do great in the camper.  He thinks leashes are of the devil...as is that crate in the corner of the living room that we put him in when we have to leave him alone.

So our journey with Cooper the Camper Dog has begun.

Katerina Patrova

Oops, I did it again! I've gotten REALLY behind on the blog! We have been so busy and I have lots to fill you in on...from a luau at church to me being sick to us snuggling puppies:) Of those things, I'll start with the puppies. I mean...who wouldn't?!

Logan's a daddy! Nikki had her litter on August 29th and we were finally able to snuggle with them yesterday. They are precious! Britney has named the little girl we're getting Katerina Patrova. I LOVE it! A dog named Kat:)

I shall call her Ms Kitty.

Aww!

They're 3 weeks old and their little eyes are open...So cute!
Can you smell the puppy breath?

5 of the 6
Kat's the biggest one.

Bobby's really excited about our new baby :)

One extremely happy girl!

Puppy

Mom called a couple days ago and told me about some new excitement in her neck of the woods. The other morning, around 6:00, her dog wanted out. He always goes to the backyard to be let out, but this time he went to the front door. Mom looked out, and on her sidewalk just in front of the steps to her front porch, was a box. She put her shoes on and went outside to investigate. Inside the box, were dozens of socks, ranging in size from adult to infant. There were a couple toys, a bag of Puppy Chow and of course, a puppy.

Isn't that bizarre? This is the second puppy that has 'found' her since she's been in that house. What kind of a person just drops a puppy off at some random stranger's house?

Mom had said she is the ugliest puppy she had ever seen and described her ears and how they are located on the sides of her head instead of the usual placement.

The kids and I had to go to her house yesterday, and of course we saw the puppy. Mom lied. She's not ugly. I think mom was trying to convince herself not to get attached. She was right about the ears though. They're wonky! They're long and stick out to the sides. I shall call her Yoda.

Yoda is a Chihuahua mix. She's brown with white on her front paws. She has a pretty little head and almost looks like a fawn. The kids played with her for a long time and then Yoda slept on the chair with Brit and then Cody. She plays non stop and then takes a good long nap.

Mom called last night to see if we could puppy sit for her today while she goes to the doctor with David. The kids seemed excited to have another opportunity to snuggle and play with a puppy so I told mom to bring her.

She's been here for about three hours. She's played, had a bath, played, slept, played, ate, played...she's pretty darn cute. Mom is looking for a home for her, so if you'd enjoy playful puppy cuteness at your house, let me know!

Day @ Karen's

Karen invited us all out to her house. We've never been to her house before
and I'm so glad we were able to spend time with her and Brad today.

They live in the country and have a beautiful home with a garden and lots of animals to watch and play with.

This is Chuck...as in ground and roast.

Wonderful day with LOTS of laughter, food, conversation, and rain:)

Father's Day w/ Grandpa

Mom, Britney, Cody and I drove to Scottsboro yesterday to visit with Grandpa. I had several paragraphs discussing why this was such a huge feat for me, but it's personal and decided to hang onto that information. At any rate, we had a great time. The kids had a blast playing with Max and talking to Grandpa, who told us stories about his childhood.

The swing was a big hit.
Hmm..literally. At one point Brit slipped off and the seat whacked her in the head.

Cody pretended he was on a hover board.

Max was doggie sitting this huge Great Dane for the day. His name is Atlas.

Four Generations



Max's cat recently had kittens.
Britney loves to snuggle a kitten.

Me!

River Rats

God's sense of humor

Animal Services had dogs walking in the Christmas parade with these cute little "Adopt Me" vests on. There was one that I just loved. I couldn't stop thinking about this dog. It was a brindle and white Pit Bull mix and was just precious. We even went up to see all the dogs at Animal Services the next day. I needed to physically pet this dog...I really can't explain it. While we were there, we looked and petted all the other dogs. There's a beautiful white Husky with blue eyes that we know Brit would love. That kid has wanted a Husky for years. Needless to say, I had dogs on my brain. I was looking on the computer at the newspaper ads, and on websites specifically intended for people like me. You need to understand that I was JUST looking. We have two amazing dogs and like I said on FB, I need another dog like I need another hole in my head. JUST looking...promise! :)

Yesterday evening, we decided to get pizza for dinner. We haven't had pizza in a while and haven't eaten out much lately. We opted for Alfonzo's and headed across town. They're closed on Sunday...They're closed on Sunday...If I repeat it, do you think I'll remember the next time it's a Sunday and we want Alfonzo's? I can't tell you how many times that's happened.

We were driving back home and we saw a black dog on the side of the road next to a very busy intersection. Bobby pulled over into the parking lot next to her and I got out. She was hunkered down in the grass, shivering and completely scared to death. Bless her heart, she had ice cycles hanging off her stomach and tail. I picked her up and we took her home. Bobby grabbed one of the crates out of the shed and put it in the garage and Brit put towels in it. She was so afraid. It was pitiful. We gave her a bowl of water and some food. She inhaled the food and drank nearly the whole bowl of water. Then we left her alone for a while. Later we put Cassie's collar on her so we could walk her. She wouldn't even stand up...forget about walking.

Bobby decided to put Logan up in the shed, and let her out in the backyard. Great idea:) She finally got brave enough to walk around.

She is SO sweet! She is not aggressive in any way and got along fine with Cassie last night. She LOVES the kids.
Blogger is insistent this picture be sideways!

I got up at 6:00 this morning and let her out. She's been in the house most of the day. We introduced her to Logan this afternoon and then Brit and I gave her a bath. She's been asleep on one of the flannel blankets ever since.

She's young, maybe three or four months old and she's had a hard life. She's scared but has already made a HUGE improvement since last night. She's loves to be petted and have her belly rubbed...such a sweet little girl:)

We don't know if we'll keep her, but we feel like we saved her life. So for right now, she is safe, fed, warm, clean and being loved.

Thanks God...I get it. :) I'm just glad we found a dog instead of an unexplained hole in my head!