Just Me & The Dogs

Joe left for his annual Father/Son Canadian fishing trip on Sunday so it's just been me, Gordie and the foster puppy since then. Let me tell you... I have NO idea how I lived alone prior to living with Joe. I get bored wayyyy too easily without him there. I guess that's a sure sign that I enjoy having him around :) I will admit, I'm more than a little excited to have him back home tomorrow.

Unfortunately, the weather has been awful. Raining day after day. This makes it quite difficult to keep Gordie exercised which means he's been a little handful... the dog does not sit still nor does he even consider it! The longest he sat still was last night when I brought the foster puppy home from getting neutered. Gordie was soooo confused as to why the puppy wouldn't play with him and why he kept whimpering. So logically Gordie laid next to him for hours and just watched him to make sure he was ok. When the puppy would whimper out of discomfort, Gordie would whimper out of sympathy. It really is amazing how sweet Gordie can be.

Today is also the last day the puppy is at our home. His adopters are picking him up tonight. I'm so excited for him to get to his new home but will surely miss having him around the house.

 

Enjoy your new home little buddy! :)

Short but sweet!

Our fostering journey with Keanu has been quite the eye opening experience. In the best way possible.

I never imagined that within a matter of days I would grow so attached to a dog. He has captured my heart and changed my perspective on some things as well.

For being only 4 months old, he is so obedient and sweet. He aims to please and catches on quicker than any other dog I've been around. (Sorry Gordie) I honestly haven't found one negative side to him. This would also explain how we were able to get him adopted so quickly as well.

Yes, that's right...I'm happy to announce that within a week or so he will be going to his forever home!! I'm even happier to announce that I know the people who are taking him so I can rest assure he will have the greatest life. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't strongly considered discussing with Joe if we could adopt him. BUT... I held back. Shockingly. I'm pretty sure most people out there were fairly certain the little guy would become a permanent addition to our household. Surprise... it didn't happen :)

I'm so excited for him to get to his new home, however, I'm also not looking forward to him leaving. Gordie has grown quite attached to the little guy and vice versa. They follow each other around, snuggle, and just constantly want to be near each other. Gordie may be a bit lonely for a few days. Although, I'm sure he will appreciate not having to compete for bed space at night.

This whole fostering experience, although short and sweet, has opened up my eyes to just how important fostering dogs can be. It is such a rewarding experience to be able to help show a dog some love, teach them things, and just be able to provide some stability in a life that may not have been the greatest previously. Maybe even help a dog restore their faith in humans. I can't even explain the gratification I feel when I get home and there is the foster puppy wagging his tail so hard with excitement to see me that he may fall over.

I'm definitely looking forward to going through this experience again. I will say that the only thing I'll change for next time...have a larger dog be the foster. Gordie is still a little too clumsy to figure out how to maneuver around a ten pound dog. Haha. Poor Keanu has been stepped on, sat on, and trampled on thanks to Gordie not knowing how to use his feet.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates on this topic in the hear future :) I have a few things in the works!

Foster Parents!

Fostering dogs is always something I've wanted to do but just haven't moved forward with it...until now.

After having talked about it for quite some time, we finally decided to give it a go. Saturday we picked up a little guy named Keanu. (Don't judge, he was named when we got him...)

Keanu is a 4 month old Jack Russell mix. He was found with his sister Penelope at a shelter in CA and was a few days of being euthanized. Thankfully, Secondhand Hounds caught wind and arranged for them both, along with numerous other puppies, to be transported to MN to find their forever homes.

We were a little anxious to see how Mr. Gordie would be with another dog sharing our attention. To our surprise, Gordie LOVVVEEEESSSS Keanu. He loves him so much I've come to realize he may be slightly obsessed. The poor puppy doesn't get any space. Gordie is constantly wanting to play or snuggle with him. Keanu on the other hand just wants to snuggle...with Joe or I. Not Gordie. Haha!

Although Gordie is awesome at his new role of being a foster brother, he just needs to work on realizing his size. He's so clumsy and excited that he doesn't realize this may be intimidating to a 15lb puppy! Haha.

Keanu is a complete sweetheart and SO smart for his age. Although he has his spurts of energy here and there, he is most content snuggling up next to you. He has already went to the door to let us know he needed to go potty. Not too shabby for only being taught for a day! Granted I'm sure there is still a lot of work to do on that BUT one time was a start!

I am so excited to help this little guy learn a few things and to show him some love before he finds his home. It's safe to say that this spunky little guy has already stolen my heart and I'm very much looking forward to the remaining time he has with us in our home. He will for sure be with us for two weeks, after that he is ready to be adopted by the right person/family. Joe and I will be able to pick the family he goes to. That makes me feel really good knowing we will know who is taking him and that he is going with someone worthy of having him.

I am so thankful for having a guy like Joe who supports and accepts my passion for this. His support and agreement to do this means more to me than he will ever know.

Updates to follow as we get more into this process.

And... if you're looking for a lovable guy to add to your home. I know just the guy :)

New Hobby?

For years I've been wanting to take up the sport of golf. I just unfortunately haven't gotten around to it for whatever reason. This year I've almost forced myself to make it happen by buying a set of clubs.

Joe loves to golf and we thought this might be something to do together, if I enjoy it. He's decided to take on the task of teaching me the game. Bless his heart. The guy has patience but I'm not sure if he's ready for this. My perfectionist ways may make golf impossible for me to learn. Joe told me the first thing to understand about golf, "you'll probably suck for a while." Definitely off to a great start and I haven't even swung my first club! Ha!

I don't anticipate hitting up the Masters any time soon but it would be nice if I was at least 'decent' by the end of the summer. Or at least not embarrassed if I play horribly at first.

I was a little disappointed that I wasn't able to find orange clubs or an orange bag that didn't cost an arm and a leg. Yes, I pulled the girl move of wanting 'pretty' clubs and a bag. I am happy to announce that my pretty clubs will be getting re-gripped this week and am adding some orange to them! This is sure to be a good luck charm...

Weekend Get-Away: Florida

After what seemed like the longest day ever, Thursday night we headed to the airport and were on our way to Florida. We were flying into Orlando to stay with Joe's childhood friend, Jon, and his wife, Ashley. After a  long flight next to a stinky man and a screaming baby, we have never been happier to get off a plane. Jon picked us up from the airport and we headed back to their house. It was after midnight by the time we got to their house and I'll admit I was ready for bed the whole ride from the airport. Once we got there we all ended up having a few beers and catching up until close to 5am. 

Friday morning we were up and packed to make the two hour drive from Orlando to Treasure Island. Jon and Ashley found a condo on the beach for us all to stay the weekend at. After a slight detour to stop at the liquor store, we ended up going through some not so great neighborhoods that Siri (iPhone queen) directed us to. The liquor store she gave us directions to what was really an elementary school. Epic fail. We then arrived at the condo and hauled all our stuff in. Let me just say, for four people and two days... we each packed separate suitcases as if we were going away for a month. Saying we're all slight over-packers is an understatement. After unpacking we put our suits on, grabbed the cooler and some beers, and were on our way to the beach! It is truly beautiful in Treasure Island and so peaceful. The beach is gorgeous and not at all crowded.  We sat on the beach for a while and then headed back up to the condo to get ready for the night. We walked up the beach walk to Sloppy Joe's for dinner and drinks and to enjoy the beach sunset. From there walked over to Ricky T's. And that's when Jon and I got the brilliant idea that tattoos were needed. A little after 10 we walked over to the tattoo shop...closed. We were bummed but determined to do it the following day. All the while Joe and Ashley looked at us like we were slightly nuts. A few more drinks at Ricky T's and backed to the condo for bed we went.

Saturday the guys were up early to go get a round of golf in and to have a 'guys' afternoon. This meant Ashley and I were headed to the beach! After packing up the beach wagon full of drinks and gossip magazines we were ready to catch some sun. Mission accomplished. Note to self: next time pay attention to how much sun you're getting instead of being a chatty Cathy! We both left the beach burnt. BUT... the sun burn was well worth it. It was great getting to get to know Ashley better and hilarious to find out how alike we are. 

Once the wind started to pick up we went back to the condo and ordered some food for us to have for when the guys got back from golfing. We all then ate and showered and off to the bars we went for a few drinks...then Jon and I decided it was time for our tattoos.

Thankfully, mine wasn't as painful as I was anticipating. And I was very pleased with how it turned out. Although it was probably the simplest tattoo a person could get I was still worried how it would look. Here is my new infinity tattoo. 

After tattoos we went out for some drinks and wings to watch the boxing match. Then back to the condo. Sunday morning we woke up, packed and were on the road back to Orlando. We may a quick stop at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to try our luck (which none of us had) and then to Jon & Ashley's. We were all exhausted and decided that some chinese take-out and NHL Playoffs on the couch in our pj's was the best way to spend our last day there. 

It was so nice to get away for a little weekend and to spend time with friends that are not seen often. Joe and I had a blast! We're already looking forward to our next visit! 

I'll admit, I was extremely excited to get home today so we could pick Gordie up from boarding. I'm pretty sure the feeling was mutual as Gordie went nuts when he noticed us. A quick trip to the dog park to get his excitement out and home to relax! 

It's safe to say we're not the only exhausted ones after vacation...

And a little proof that Gordie was on our mind even in Florida... hahaha.