Turn In

**No pictures yet, I have to get some from Max and maybe Sheila**

Comet was turned in 5 days ago, on July 15, 2011. She was spayed and got the bordetella on the 5th so she could go down for training. Little Miss weighed all of 35 pounds, by far my smallest pup, without a doubt! We drove down after I got off work and met Sandy and Sheila at the kennels. Sandy had to go so we said hi and talked about baby Carter for a little bit then she left. Then we talked with Sheila about the going ons of CAST, dogs we knew and new pups coming up. After about an hour we took some pictures with Max, Comet and I on the bench outside the kennels and went and put Comet in her kennel. She had a name tag and got a big kennel for the night. She looked so little in the kennel! As we were leaving and saying goodbye to Sheila and talking about when we were going to make it down to let them meet Carter and future raising plans (Max told her when Carter turns 2 and she said it was going on her calendar!) Comet started barking. Was a little sad to leave her all alone in the kennel but we know she's well taken care of and settling in well.

If Comet is career changed, she won't be coming home. She is just too much dog for us and especially with the baby coming in less then 6 weeks. I have faith that she will end up in a great home just for her, either as a service dog, a PAL (similar to a K9 Buddy through GDB) or a loving pet.

Puppy Plans

http://bellas3rdlitter.blogspot.com/






Our next puppy is not going to be one of these gorgeous crosses! As much as I wishs I could raise one, I don't at the same time. I'm happy to watch them grow up though and hopefully get a chance to puppy sit one at some point.

On a serious note, since Loden came into our lives, Max and I have longed to have a keeper dog who was a male yellow lab. Max has requested that I take a break from puppy raising for a couple years but he wants to get a new pet dog in around a year. Who knows for sure what the future will hold but at this point in time, it looks like we'll be getting a yellow lab puppy and raising him for a year or two for ourselves and then jump back into puppy raising! A happy compromise and gives me the yellow boy I've always wanted!

3 to 1

I can't believe all the changes happening in our house. In about 5 weeks we will have gone from a 3 dog household to a 1 dog household. I'm not sure how to feel about it, honestly. Part of me is greatly relieved. The other part is dreading it. No worries, Eva is doing well for Eva at this point in time. Comet has been recalled! Well, in a couple more weeks we'll be taking her down. We were given the option of the end of June/early July or September. Out of convenience for me, I chose the end of June/early July. I think Ally and I will take her down on July 1. Then I'll really come home to a quiet house!

I can't even tell you how hard it is to not be filling the empty spot in our house. There's no little dancing dog or the annoying barking or clicking of nails (I could never get hers short enough for them to not click for more then a day or two!) and the house seems so quiet. I see ads for puppies, I know there is a litter on the way I could raise a puppy from, I see ads for free dogs who need a home, etc. and it breaks my heart to not get one. On the other hand, I have this little human in my who kicks my ribs and makes it hard to walk some days and I can't imagine potty training a new puppy now or after Carter gets here.

As for the future for our household for dogs, we'll see what happens. Max doesn't want to raise for awhile but Ally and I might co-raise a puppy next year sometime. That or Max is open to fostering for CAST, dogs that are in advanced training and need a break from the kennels or dogs waiting for placement as service dogs or pets or any other reason. I have to remind myself that even though I'm going to be staying at home with our little boy, that I have no idea what I'm in for. I have no idea what to expect and how my life is going to change.

My fear is that once Eva dies (I'm not making any more predictions on that one! This dog could live until she's 30 and it wouldn't surprise me at this point!) we will run out and grab the first puppy we see to fill the quiet and it's not a good fit for our family. I want to do things right the next time we get a pet dog, I want to know that the dog will be a good match for us and that we will be a good match for him. Who knows, maybe I'll put some bugs in some ears of people who know us and what kind of dog would fit our family and keep an eye out for us. All I know is that, for the time being, I have to remind myself that what is best for our family right now is to keep things as simple as possible as we adjust to parenthood and lets face it, Eva is an easy dog to live with, especially without a puppy in the house. All she does is eat, drink, pee and sleep! My husband, on the other hand, sometimes does something without thinking about it so I can't guarantee that I won't have a post in the future at some point introducing you to a new doggy for us! ;-)

Something Special

Rizzo was Max's dog. He wanted a doxie and he loved her so much. It breaks my heart to see how much he is hurting from losing her. Remembering the way he reacted when we found her and fought to keep her alive before we realized she had a broken neck. The way I wake up to him crying in the middle of the night because he moves his foot and doesn't feel her there. The way he was telling me about all the dreams he had for her and watching her grow old while our son grows up. I love that little doxie so much, I love all her annoying habits and cute quirks. I love how, no matter what, she will never be replaced. But, I want to do something special for my husband. He's trying so hard to keep his head up and move forward, to look at the positive and remember the good in life and the good times with that little doggie. I need some ideas as for something special to do for him to remember Riz. We are going to get her a monument for her grave and plant flowers, she's buried at Max's mom's house. In a spot where the dogs who live there don't have access and a private place where we can go to mourn and remember her. I want something for him here and I don't know what would be best for him. I was thinking of getting a blanket made for him with a picture of her on it so he can still sleep with her at night and cuddle with her, in a way. Or ordering a shadow box for him, a painting or figurine. I don't know. I don't know what to do for him, but I want, have to do something! Anyone have any ideas on what to do for him, that would be special and amazing? I've never lost a dog before, certainly not like this, and I don't know what would be best.

Goodbye Dapple Girl

You will forever be missed!

Rizzo:

8/13/2007-5/28/2011

Passed away from a broken neck.

Charlie Update, Again!

GREAT NEWS! Charlie is in team training and is doing great! I'm so proud of my spaz-a-doodle! Thinking of you and your new partner Charlie-bear, hope you have a long working life ahead of you and maybe I can find a way down to see your graduation in January!

General Updates

Eva ~ Is doing ok. Her urinating has increased dramatically over the past week but she is still eating and drinking normal for her. We're hoping it's just a phase and she will get better soon. She's made it all the way to 2 years 5 months! Something we never thought we'd see, so we're happy with everyday with the little spitfire.

Comet ~ Is a tiny little thing and 10 months old now. She still has her quirks but we love her. Not sure when she'll turn-in, it will be before her siblings, but I'm not sure when. I'm going to work with her a lot so she can start coming to work with me everyday, it'd be a great way to socialize her to other dogs and people!

Rizzo ~ Is Rizzo. She loves Eva and Comet so much. I'm a little worried about how she'll be once she's the only dog but it will be that way for quite awhile since no new dogs or puppies are in our foreseeable future.

Elijah ~ Is adjusting well. He is an indoor cat here since there are other cats on the property and we live right next to a highway. He spends most of his time in our bed but has starting acting more like a kitten then we've ever seen. I think being in side all day makes him have energy to expend and he plays with cat toys, hangers, string, all sorts of things!

Mowgli ~ Is with Ally. Elijah was very depressed with Mowgli and so Mowgli went to where he's loved and the other animals have all adjusted well to him. I see him often and still love the little kitten and wish it could have worked out for him to be here.

The Humans ~ We're doing well, too! I've been at my job for about a month and a half and I love the work. It's fun to see different dogs everyday but it's hard to see how some people treat their dogs out of love. It really makes me appreciate everything we teach our pups! Max is hopefully starting a new job on Monday!

AND! We found about 2 weeks ago we're having a little baby girl! August can't get here quick enough!