New Addition

There is never enough dog kisses and hugs in our household.    We don't have any kids, but we have quite a few "four-legged" kids running around our house.    We take in strays,  literally, we have rescued some kittens and found them homes and dogs that "breakout" of the yard or house always end up here so we see they get back home safely.    Our last dog we got about 3 yrs ago from a rescue shelter she is a big sweetheart (unless you aren't family) she is 4 yrs old, another female 10 yrs and a male 12 yrs (we think) and that's just the dog section of our house.    We have two cats, I call them "my girls", 16 yrs and 6 yrs.   So now to the "new addition", I went to work one day, my husband had the day off and when I got home, he had chased down a dog running the neighborhood and playing in the street.    I tried to find her a home but he insisted on keeping her.    She is a puppy (less than a yr) with very, very long legs.

carla and broom

broom our new addition

So now there is ONE MORE dog in our bed, to feed and get toys for.    Her and our 3 yr old, Carla, absolutely LOVE each other.   They wait for each other when they go outside, romp in the snow and, of course, in the house.     We have never had a dog who literally stands up on her hinds and gives you hugs and then kisses.    She is a hugger and loves to bury her head in your lap when you pet her.   We have been sooooo blessed with the animals we have had and do have right now.    The ones we took in right off the street seem so grateful and loving.   Our rescue Carla licked my hand the day we went to the shelter and that's all it took, I started crying and she didn't like men and when we took her outside with the workers, she jumped up on my husband and licked him.    They all looked at each other and said "she doesn't like men and doesn't give kisses".   Within a week we had a home visit and it just happened to be New Years Day and they left her with us.    She is my buddy, she is big enough to intimidate strangers walking by our house when I'm working outside in the front yard.   She has my back when I shovel snow, she sits in the driveway and watches and growls when someone is coming too close for her comfort.     I have ALWAYS had dogs in my life and so has my husband, to not have one, we couldn't handle it.   
 
I LOVE the idea of using animals for therapy for kids and older people.   We thought about using Carla as one but she can't control her "licker" and they can't lick the people.   I do believe they do lower your blood pressure and stress levels.     When you have had a very bad day, to go home and see them excited to see you, giving kisses and telling you about their day or what their sibling did, you smile and your bad day goes away.
 
Here are our "kids" pictures



gracie (10 yrs)



petey (12 yrs)






carla




blew (top, 16 yrs)   charley (6 yrs