Laci is all legs!
I spend an enormous amount of time with these girls (like all day, every day except Tuesday) and I've been working so very hard to get them trained into well behaved dogs. And I couldn't be happier with their progress. We walk at least 7 miles a day (as an aside...I've lost 8 pounds thank you very much :), train on basic commands at least twice a day and usually ongoing throughout the day, get out and about in the car running errands (curing their fear of the car), walk around town a couple of times a week, go to doggie day care once a week (Tuesday) to help with socialization (and give me a break so I can get things done!) and romp and play in the yard the rest of the time. And we still have our bonding time every night and it's wonderful.
Gretchen's attempt to dominate other dogs has subsided dramatically. She's not where I want her to be, but she has made tremendous progress and I'll continue to work with her. She wants so much to please me and she will be an incredible watch dog. And Laci is just a little love-bug who loves to wrap herself around my ankles, nibble on my toes, and have her neck itched. They have totally bonded with me and I love it.
Maybe I'm too much of a Mother Earth/nurturer, but it's who I am and I can't change that. And yes, I know, they are dogs, not babies (as someone pointed out to me and kind of hurt my feelings). But when these pups came into my life, they gave me a sense of purpose that I guess was missing. Please don't get me wrong...I love my life and I'm blessed in so many ways. But I'm a care taker by nature and I guess I was feeling a little lost, like what’s next in my life. My sons are grown with families of their own and they all live out of state; my husband is wonderful and I adore him, but he’s very busy, travels, and is gone a lot. My sister was about to move out into her own apartment and after her living with us for nearly five months, I knew I would miss her terribly. Yes, I guess I was feeling lost. Then these two starving, tiny beings came into my life and suddenly, I had a job to do. I embraced it and I’ve not looked back. They are amazing, loving animals who have given me more joy than I can express.
Anyway, enough rambling. These thoughts and feelings have been percolating in my head for quite some time and I needed to write them down and get them out of my head. The good Lord knew what he was doing when my sister and I stumbled upon these tiny girls and I thank Him from the bottom of my heart for bringing Gretchen and Laci into my life.
Glad to see you and the pups getting along very well. I remember coming by to see your post when you first found these 2 pups, 'lost' in the cold. I have 3 dogs myself and they are all wonderful in their own ways.
ReplyDeleteOne door closes and another door opens...God is good!
ReplyDeleteWhat luck for them too to have found you. God was looking out for them as well. They must have a greater purpose to fill and are already fulfilling it I see with there love for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your feelings were hurt by some kind soul pointing out they are dogs not babies. How very strange to imagine you wouldn't notice! And how sad to dismiss them as 'just dogs'.
ReplyDeleteIt is not weird to write about your dogs. I am not a dog person, but I also remember when you wrote about finding these puppies. Perhaps that 'kind soul' was the one who left you the puppies!
Hi One...Thanks and yes, you're right; each is different in their own way but so very special too. Thank you for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Cat, so true. Your comment is true of everything in life. Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you Donna for stopping by. And yes, I think you're right. The pups and I were made for each other. Someone told me that I gave 2 homeless pups a home. I never thought about it like that, but it's true. Thanks for visiting us :)
Ya know, Elephant's Eye...you're probably right. I don't condemn the person/people who dumped these puppies. I actually thank them for giving me the opportunity to bring these 2 wonderful critters into my life. Thank you for your insight and for stopping by :)
Those puppies are all legs and yes, God sent them to you because you needed each other. I am a complete dog person and have five shelter mutts. Dogs listen without arguing, give love and affection unconditionally, and accept us just as we are. I wish more humans were like that.
ReplyDeleteUnconditional love is a beautiful thing :-) You have found it -- in all areas of your life, it looks like :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, by the way.
Good morning TS! Yes, I do believe God sent these puppies my way for a reason. We needed each other and they have been such a blessing in my life. The world would be a better place is more people accepted each other for who we are.
ReplyDeleteHi Toni...yes, unconditional love is a beautiful thing and I'm so blessed to have found it:) And thank you for the birthday wishes!!
TS...if you come back here, I can't seem to post to your blog?? Not sure why but I loved your essay on LittleHUGE!
ReplyDeleteThe puppies are just adorable, Diane. I can see very well why you wouldn't wanna miss them anymore. It's about a year since we took my son's dog in our house. 2 years ago our first Grandson was born and Brownie never accepted the baby. So she was locked up in her small cage most of time. Even after one year she still wouldn't accept the baby and so we decided to give her a new home in our house. We actually didn't want any dog but I can tell you, we do not wanna give her away again. She became our baby and in our house she is the sweetest, most loving and truest dog you could think of. Not even close to what she acted like in my son's house. Yes, she caused we had to make a lot of changes on our life but she is really worth it.
ReplyDeleteDiane, you have a good heart I can tell and those two really pretty shepherd dogs will love you as much as you love them.
God Bless
Paula Jo
Thank you, Paula Jo, for your kind and thoughtful words. Sometimes the things that mean the most to us and shape our lives the most are things we didn't ask for or necessarily want. I'm sure Brownie has a wonderful, loving home with you and taking her in was a gift of love from you. God bless you too!
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