March 12, 2010 | Filed under: Stuff
It’s been a year since we lost Mountain Barbie.
She’ll always have a place in my heart, always. But slowly, over the past few weeks, the people in my house have been talking about yellow lab pups, and sending me texts. I suspect a coop …
From Oldest at a pet store: “Look who wants to come home …”
From Middle at a basketball game: “I found a new friend looking for a home…”
From Alpha Man: “Look what I found …”
Uh huh. They all managed to just happen upon yellow lab pups. They’re all big fancy liars is what they are.
But they’re wearing me down.
Do I really want to be up all night with a puppy? Deal with the chewing? The accidents? The general destruction a puppy brings to a house?
Sigh … I think I do.
So while I’m obviously going insane, tell me about your pets. Do you have dogs, cats, hamsters? Oh, wait. That’s us. Talk to me …
Posted by Jill @ 1:00 am | Make a Comment
Kate Hardy says:
Jill, you’ll have a wonderful time with a pup. Won’t be a replacement for MB but a new addition to your life (not to mention someone else for Sadie to keep in line). When we lost our oldest spaniel (our first dog as a couple) I was utterly distraught and the kids were miserable. We got another spaniel, a liver-and-white rather than a black-and-white so he wouldn’t feel like a replacement, and he’s brought so much joy to us – it’s been lovely seeing him grow up with the kids.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 1:33 amDiane W says:
I have been mother to two different Shetland Sheepdogs (think 20 pound Collie). My first broke my heart when she had complications after surgery for the removal of a tumor and I lost her. Then about 6 months after she passed, my breeder had a litter of pups and I knew I was ready to love again. Her AKC registered name is, Gray Manor’s:(named for her breeder) Mend A Broken Heart, but to me she is Sophie and she is beautiful and perfect! The breed is very smart, easy to train, and lives to please its people. If it is moving, she tries to herd it and that includes me as I am getting ready to leave for work. She barks, runs circles around me, and pulls at my pant leg all in an attempt to keep her herd together and at home!
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 2:37 amJudy F says:
Hugs on your anniv date of losing Mountain Barbie. She will always be in your heart.
I have a cat Sam, he is 12 yrs old and runs my life. He demands loudly to be fed as soon as I get up in the am and the moment I get home at night. He love to play with the rings off milk cartons. Will bring them to me to toss to him. LOL
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 3:53 amCindy in VA says:
Aww Hugs for you and your loss
But those yellow pups are so freakin’ cute!
We have 2 cats. They are 12 yo brothers. I don’t think we’ll have a dog anytime soon as I would be the one to take care of it while my 3 boys and DH would get the fun part of it
Maybe when they are older…
I’m a cat fan myself. A litter box. A lap cat. There ya go.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 4:11 amCrystal says:
There is a cat named Snickers who lives in my home, but I think I am her pet. I know for sure I am her slave.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 4:12 amStacy ~ says:
I currently don’t have a pet and live vicariously through those who do. I miss MB, though I know not as much as you do. I know she’ll never be replaced, but you and your family have a lot of love to give a new furbaby in the Shalvis home.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 4:14 amLaure says:
(hug) for the anniversary of losing Mountain Barbie. She was a lucky, wonderful little dog and will always be in your heart.
But I think it’s a bit like childbirth, after a while you don’t remember the pain of birth or the torture of colic and three am feedings, just the joy of holding that precious little baby. The chewing, the potty training,etc, it all fades and in time you just remember the darling, clumsy, snuggly little puppy.
I’ve got three dogs now. A mama, papa and baby havanese. Mama got sick when the little was two weeks old and I had to bottle feed and wash, and fuss after the three babies of the litter until they were weaned. That’s an awful lot of feeding and behind wiping and such — oh the things I had no idea about, lol. It was a basically sleepless fog, but all three are healthy happy crazy little things. Two live next door with my niece and nephews and harrass their two huge american bulldogs. I’ve got my darling baby Casey who’s 14 months old now and still acts like a tiny pup, plus busybody mama dog and the papa dog who is still slightly annoyed that this pesty puppy hasn’t gone away yet. lol.
Our cat Robin (Hood) lives to taunt the dogs and delights in football tackling the puppy, who thinks Robin is the greatest toy ever invented. They keep us entertained.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 4:33 amLaura says:
It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since ‘we’ lost Mountain Barbie. It doesn’t seem that long ago.
Anyway, I have three dogs. A lab (Max), a blue heeler (Brewsky – I didn’t name him, he came with that name!
), and a rhodesian ridgeback (Harley). All distinct personalities and I can’t imagine not having them.
As for you giving in. . . well, those faces are so sweet but you’re right about the puppy phases of chewing, etc. If you want, I can send you pictures of my knawed on furniture if you think it would help. I never took a picture of the chair they totally obliterated with their chewing and I threw it out after a friend of mine gave me a bad time about it being in my living room (I kept it so the dogs wouldn’t start on another piece of furniture. . . just leave them the one they’ve started, right?).
But, in the end, I can’t imagine not having them so I guess all the fuss was worth it. Not an easy decision though. Good luck!
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 5:19 amFran says:
I always lived in apartments hence my love for small dogs
I had Pekinese who lived to the old age of 14. We went through the war together, hiding in the basement, sleepless nights and all the other ‘joy’ of the war. He was my best friend during my teenage years and my comfort during my college years. He died after being ill for some time; we had to put him down. It was the hardest thing I had to decide to do. After a year of mourning, I got myself a Shih-Tzu. As a puppy he was a bundle of energy, but I thought that as he gets older he will become more mature. My mistake! He acts like he’s 3 months rather than his 4 years. He’s always on some kind of adventure. Be it chasing birds, scaring to death my neighbour’s hens or running away from home because he likes children and is always trying to find one in the neighbourhood:)
Get that Lab, you won’t regret it
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 5:35 amI loved my first dog endlessly but I don’t regret getting the second one a bit.
Shiloh Walker says:
How adorable…the problem? Housebreaking.
We love our animals, but I’m not in puppy mode again anytime soon.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 5:43 amAmy M says:
Oh how cute! I love seeing pictures of Mountain Barbie. And even that little yellow lab could start to sway me, and I have no desire for any pets.
Alas, I have no pets. I do, however, have an 11-year old son, a 9-year old son, a 5-year old son and a 4-year old daughter. As much as my oldest and youngest carry on that they want a dog, I hold my ground and say no. I too have to deal with up all night, ruining things, boys going to the bathroom in the general area of the toilet. No, there will be no pets here until the children and husband are all housebroken and can manage to clean up after themselves.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 5:48 amSarah Grimm says:
I have three miniature schnauzers and a guinea pig. My first dog came from an AKC breeder, but after that we only get our animals from rescue. The last one is a puppy mill rescue. Funny dog, but D-U-M-B dumb!
She’s sooo much more work than any of my other dogs, and harder to train.
Next time I think I’ll take an adult dog that needs a home. One that someone else has already housebroken.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 5:52 amNatasha R says:
aww! Those pictures make ME want to get a puppy!!
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 6:30 amJamie says:
Aw, who can resist the puppy faces? I hope you find a wonderful new family member soon.
We have two cats, but one of them thinks she’s half-dog, and the other thinks she’s half-human. Combined they weigh 22 pounds, but in the middle of the night on a queen-size bed, they’re the size of four squirming, sprawling toddlers.
It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole year! Hugs on the anniversary.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 6:44 amFannie says:
Puppies are so cute. I don’t have pets. I live alone and am partially disabled. I can’t give a pet the care and attention they deserve so it’s better not to have one. I hope you enjoy your new puppy. Take care and hugs to all.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 6:50 amtennismom says:
Can’t talk you out of it. I love your pet stories. I still miss MB and her antics sigh. I do smell a conspiracy with the family though.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 6:54 amAlison says:
I have a pit bull/boxer mix,Rocky, and he is my boy. Right now he is dealing with some health issues, but couldn’t imagine my life without him. Seems like you’re ready for another dog in the family. The training is such a small portion of the time you will have with him/her and once you are past that it is all good, well most the time.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 7:02 amJulie says:
Awww…I too face this same quandary. We lost our beloved golden retriever Pringles a few months ago. She could not have been a more perfect dog for our family and we all miss her. I am worried that perfection will not happen twice…after all my first born never cried, slept all night long, ate whatever we gave him, took long naps and was such a perfect child that I scoffed at mother’s who complained…what were they thinking..this baby thing is a piece of cake…so much so we are going to have another!! Let’s just say that the next child was no where near an easy child..haha!
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 7:19 amTherefore I am worried that the next dog might not be as easy to handle as the first. We have a little Yorkie, but he does not really qualify as a dog since he is much more of a baby and is treated as that. I love him to pieces and I love our cat…but the house is so harmonious right now…do I really want to disrupt that! But since our Yorkie is not really a dog…everyone wants a dog…which translates into getting a BIG dog! My daughter has been bringing home pictures of Collie puppies that she swears she will take care of…my husband wants a black German Sheppard (and one of our suppliers just happens to breed them and has a new batch of puppies) but yikes…I just gutted and redid the entire house..it is just the way I want it…the kids are all old enough that my husband and I can go off on our own for a weekend if we want….we all sleep thru the night…..do I have to do this…do I..do I???
How about you do it Jill and I will see how it works for you…and then I will decide!!!LOL
linda boehk says:
Currently we have 2 dogs, a yellow lab and a golden mix. Sophie, our yellow lab we got as a puppy. I’d like to recommend a male lab as they are supposed to be a little more laid back and easier to house break. Yep, we read that after we got our crazy Sophie. We got Megan, our golden from a rescue organization. She was a stray. We basically had to get a second dog so we could divert Sophie’s need for our attention 24/7. Both our girls are almost 4 now. Together they destroyed a couch and a coffee table. We had to get new carpet once Sophie finally was potty trained. It took almost a year, I kid you not, and she was not our first puppy. But, even though I haven’t forgotten the first year of hell we had with her, I wouldn’t trade her or Megan for anything. Puppies=a lot of headaches but joy that out weighs them. Just keep your excedrin handy right by your roll of paper towels. Make that case of paper towels:)
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 7:23 amJen R. (emeraldsunshine.org) says:
I have a cat, an american pit bull terrier, red-eared slider turtle, a leopard gecko, two fire bellied toads, a comet goldfish, a bearded dragon, and three angora rabbits. I have a husband, 17yo, 5yo, and 3yo living in my house besides myself, as well.
I wouldn’t talk you out of anything.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 7:27 amAshley says:
I’m with Jen R. I can’t talk you out of it.
We currently have a collie, a blue & gold macaw, a nanday conure, 3 cats, 2 hermit crabs, a leopard gecko and 2 fish. I deal with a husband, an 11yo and an 8yo.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 7:40 amLisa Freeman says:
It’s not a conspiracy but we have a yellow lab. He’ll be 9 this year and is showing some signs of slowing down. He gets up slower in the mornings but still greets us with a wagging tail and smiling face! I sure we went through the puppy stage but honestly I can’t remember any of it. I can remember the training which was a breeze with him. We also have a stray cat that lives on the front porch. Youngest found her during Christmas break a couple of years ago and brought her home. Somebody had to have put her out because she is the sweetest thing. Of course she was pregnant and after the kittens were born we had her fixed. So the cat lives in the front yard and the dog in the back yard and we never have them inside at the same time – anymore! Once was enough!
Good luck on holding out – it’s just about impossible when they are so cute and cuddly!
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 7:43 amAndi says:
A year already? wow. Thinking of you. We have the best boxer mix in the world.
As well as guinea pig no pays attention to anymore but me? How rare is that?? 
He sings along with your ring tone…so sweet…..
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 7:45 amMonica says:
We have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He is 6 years old, and my family is convinced, even my husband, that he is the love of my life. He may be, as he’s perfect! LOL I would definitely sign up for another puppy if I were in your shoes. No one else in my family is convinced that I am as great as my dog thinks I am. LOL
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 8:44 amJenFS says:
We have this great big black and tan coonhound (65 pounds) named Duchess. Renamed Butt-wiggler. She can shake that thing like the best of them. Her entire body wiggles when she gets going and she gets so much momentum going that she couldn’t stop if she wanted to. But she loves to eat my slippers. She won’t touch our shoes and she won’t touch anyone elses slippers, but if I leave my slippers out, they’re toast, every time. No clue why.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 8:47 amD says:
Oh those little faces are too cute…that’s how they suck you in. I currently have 2 dogs, Riley is our golden retriever(the only golden retriever I’ve ever heard of that is afraid of the water, and flunked obedience school..twice.) and Mandy is our Dalmation(she refuses to do any dog type things, such as play fetch.) We also have 2 cats, Missy only likes my son and husband, and Faye, who is just simply needy.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 9:20 amBest of luck in the puppy ordeal. When my family tried to get me to get a new puppy a few years ago(this resulted in getting Riley) they had the other dog and the cats where signs the said “WE NEED A NEW BROTHER OR SISTER”.
Melissa says:
My husband and I do not have pets, but my sister has this crazy papillion. She thinks she is an Akita. She was attacked by a black lab a year ago. she lived but it was not good for a long time. She still has nightmares. She has a heart as big as the sky and is very protective. They are very hard to potty train. Like, it takes 3 YEARS. She is bossy, opinionated and conniving. I love that dog and I wish I had ten of the little boogers.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 9:21 amTracy S says:
We have one cat. We got so lucky as she is the sweetest thing ever!
BTW, those puppy pictures are waaaaaay too cute!
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 9:23 amLori says:
Awwwwww, look how cute the puppies are!! Makes me want one, too. We have a dog, Corgi/golden mix. She looks like a golden, but chopped off at the knees with the corgi legs. She’s got a serious Napoleon complex because of it. Also a tankful of carnival goldfish who are now 8 years old with a boatload of personality (and who knew they get all excited to see the person who feeds them). Plus a rat (and hubby noted that someone at work wants to get rid of 2 more. Uh…NO), and 2 cats. And 2 sons and a husband. (They count as animals, right?) All male. Well, ok, except for the dog, but she’s got so much testosterone, she may as well be male.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 9:24 amLiza says:
My dad had to have his chocolate lab, Lizzie put down last month. He plans on getting another lab, but not ready just yet. Last weekend was the first time I’d been to visit since and I cried when I got to his house since there was no Lizzie to meet me at the door or beg for chicken at dinner.
Those puppies are so cute and can’t wait to see pictures of the one y’all get.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 11:25 amDonna M says:
A whole year since Mountain Barbie left us. Such a pretty girl.
Currently I have no pets which is okay because I pet/house sit for several couples when they travel. They all have wonderful animals. In my lifetime I grew up with black labs, great dogs. When I was married we had a couple of mixed breed dogs that we acquired! Then we had cats because my oldest daughter was a cat lover, we also had a lovely poodle mix dog that followed my daughter home. That was Millie that was with us for many years. We also had a St. Bernard for awhile, to big to be much of a pet, a mixed breed named Budweiser (what can I say!). After the divorce I kept Millie & the cat, Karen, and the St. Bernard, Kirby, stayed with my husband. Since then I’ve not had any more animals. First of all, the expense was just to much for me plus I was gone all day at work. Now I get my pet fix from others animals!
It is working out well for me.
If you don’t want to train a puppy, maybe consider adopting a shelter dog that needs a loving home like the Shalvis family.
Everyone have a good weekend.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 12:06 pmKristen says:
Just a few pets.
3 dogs (flat coat retriever/border collie, basset/lab mix, papillion)
)
8 cats (saved two ferals who gave us 3 kittens
1 gerbil
4 hens
It’s been a year for this household losing a beloved dog and cat. Here’s hoping the memories you have of Mountain Barbie bring a smile and some laughs again.
back to lurking….
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 12:08 pmcatslady says:
I would love to get a new puppy but at the moment have 6 cats lol. I’ve had two dogs and loved them dearly – one was 12 and one 17 when they passed. But over the years I’ve been taking care of ferals/strays. I lost my oldest cat at 17, a new kitten that I couldn’t save and a feral that I took care of for 15 years this past year and another is ill. I never get over the losses but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Get that new puppy, Jill.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 12:25 pmbonita says:
My second rescue Dobermann has been with me just 4 months. She’s about 6 yo so none of that housebreaking stuff, but I do need to show her which parts of the yard are off limits to dogs. (Right now the yard is all snow and mud.) Having a rescue is quite an adventure. My first rescue had been mistreated–she didn’t even know how to take a cookie from my hand. This rescue clearly had a home at one time. She stands politely at the kitch door when she wants in/out, no pushing, no barking. She does the Dober prance and dance at dinnertime, and has the Dober lean down to a science. Oh and her space perimeter extends bout 30 feet either side of our house. Cross the boundary and she sounds the alert. I have some physical limitations and was unsure if I should get a dog, but she has brought a lot of sunshine to my life. I can use a pet taxi if/when she needs to get to vet so all should be well.
Wouldn’t be able to talk you out of yellow lab. Luv the conspiracy.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 12:28 pmAshley says:
The puppies sure are cute, but it’s the work that goes with them that is NOT cute!
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 12:32 pmWhen my little girl (white lab/chesapeake bay retriever mix) was a pup she was impossible to house train -if not for the old man (black lab mix) who taught her to scratch the back door when she wanted to go out-I don’t know what we would have done, she chewed up several pairs of my shoes -one pair that was brand new, she chewed up the shoe mould in the laundry room-all of it, and she chewed and scratched the threshold at the back door, we had all kinds of repairs after she grew out of chewing. I personally don’t want to go through it again, I’m good just looking at the cute little puppy pics!
Mechele Armstrong says:
Awwww. Hugs on MB. I miss her stories.
I have serious puppy envy so I’m right with you. I have 2 cats, one we adopted as a kitten, who is a mess, and a 68 pound dog. But when I see those lil faces…
Good luck on the decision.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 2:16 pmBrandy says:
We have eight cats. Yes, that’s right EIGHT cats. All indoor. (I feed the strays outside, too.) Obviously I am the wrong person to ask if you should get another pet. I always end up looking into their eyes and saying sure. *G* Now my son has been asking about getting a puppy. God help me.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 2:19 pmDee B. says:
We currently have two miniature schnauzers, a girl and a boy. Over the years, we have experienced the loss of four dogs (old age) and while it hurts, we keep getting another. The love we have for the current dogs does not take away from the love we had for the others. Their loss ripped out our heart.
It is time to get another puppy, this new puppy will never replace Mountain Barbie in your heart, she is there forever – but getting a puppy keeps you so busy that it makes the loss a little easier. Your family has plenty of love and just think how entertained Ashes and your cat will be.
Go for it!!!!!!!!!
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 4:01 pmAllie says:
Sounds like it is time to add a new member to your family.
Especially if you can actually remember the up all night, chewing up everything, etc. and think you want to do that again now. 
I have two border collies. I got them both as puppies and managed to raise them both to adults without a single chewed up thing.
They run with me every day and bring me a lot of joy. The older dog, Tess, has a running commentary about every little thing. The younger one, Kipp, is afraid of noise. Any noise at all. I do not recommend border collies for regular people. Only crazy people should have border collies, as this gives you a head start on your eventual destination.
I also have a cat. The cat is a pest. She has asthma, and when we found this out and put her on medication from the vet, she turned into a terror and we had to give our other cat back to the rescue — after 12 years of them being together, Asthma Cat just went nuts on that medication and turned into a big meanie. We gave the nice cat to the rescue to adopt out, and one of the rescue managers actually took her home and that is where she is to this day. Queen of her new household, apparently!!
I keep in touch with them.
I have a horse, too. He does not live here, he lives at my parents’ place with my dad’s horse. He’s an Arab gelding and he looooooves the vet. He also will beg to go out for a ride. He also bites, but this has mellowed somewhat with age. When confronted with a llama for the first time, most horses will flee in terror or something. My horse charged at the poor thing, scaring it to death. He thought it might eat his grass.
I have 3 dwarf hamsters. http://ponyhollow.com/webcam/ They have their own hamster cam!
They are SO CUTE!!
I love furry pets. I also have some tropical fish.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 4:02 pmMelissa says:
Well Jill shall I tell you that I have 6 grown cats and 6 kittens plus fish. Talk about a zoo. The puppy pictures are beautiful. I think you should definitely consider getting one. I absolutely love my kitties. Really do not want to give the kittens away even though I have to.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 7:00 pmBailey Stewart says:
I have a sado-masochistic cat named Bubba who is into spankings …. honestly; A handicapped beautiful tuxedo Maine Coon mix named Aidan; a snowshoe type cat named Bailey (yeah, you got a problem with that?) who is shy but loving. They are my babies. I have had many babies throughout my life and will continue after these have lived their lives. None have ever replaced the ones that came before, but each has made the hole they left a little bit smaller. Go for it.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 9:32 pmLisa in California says:
Has it been a year already? I miss your stories about Mountain Barbie. She was a real character. If you are ready for a new family member, then I’m cheering you on. A puppy would be very to happy to have you.
Posted on March 12th, 2010 at 10:05 pmmeg says:
It has been seven months since we had to make the heartbreaking decision to have our 17 yr old collie euthanized. I always knew I would get another dog and since around Xmas there was serious discussions about it. As fate would have it, a month ago my guy was working out of town and on his way he happened to notice a sign “For Sale. Border Collie Puppies” So on his way home he called in. They were shorthair, 8 girls and two boys and in his words “bloody good dogs” So here we are, one month later with a completely beautiful collie named Kya. Yes its like having a baby in the house and yes I’m rusty (my kid is 14 and I thought I was so finished with the baby stuff)and of course if she is awake she is chewing and lucky I’m a morning person cos damn she is up with the birds but you know what, I am completely in love with this little black and white ball of mischief and she is pretty fantastic
Posted on March 13th, 2010 at 4:49 amPat L. says:
I have no pets! I have my 16 mo old adorable granddaughter and my books. LOL.
Those puppies are adorable. It has been a year already since MB’s passing. I cannot believe it. I know you are thinking of all the wonderful memories you had with her at this time.
Posted on March 13th, 2010 at 6:53 amSabrina says:
We have four cats whom I love to death. We lost our dog Ronja last year after 14 wonderful years and my mom is looking for a new one.
Posted on March 13th, 2010 at 11:01 amSteph says:
Awwwwww
We have a dog – about 4 or 5 years old now, named Bailey. he’s a Coton de Tulear, which is a breed no one’s ever heard of because there are only like 5 breeders in the US. They’re white furballs with floppy ears and pretty much look like live stuffed animals. They’re really really smart – we trained our to ring a bell when he has to go out in about a day.
They’re usually $2500 but we got our for free when my neighbor’s sister got a litter that was way too big and was in a rush to get rid of them because she had to go take care of her mother or something. I didn’t pay attention to the details – I was too enamored with the puppy at the time.
I’m not gonna lie; Bailey’s pretty much the sh*t. He does do this weird Nazi salute sometimes in his sleep that concerns me, as someone with a Polish background…
Posted on March 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pmMelissa, in New Orleans says:
I got my puppy’s name from your kitty. I got Sadie Grace two years ago, and she still has anxiety issues. I decided she needed a friend so I adopted a kitten for her! Emma Jane and Sadie Grace are best buddies. They drink out of the same bowl and sleep on the same bed.
Posted on March 13th, 2010 at 12:42 pmPatricia says:
Good thoughts on your MB. I’m certain we all miss her–I know I do. Every time you show photos of the family at the lake I think of her. She did so enjoy the water.
Patricia
Posted on March 13th, 2010 at 5:07 pmJL says:
Compromise. Go with a Goldador mix–half yellow Lab, half Golden Retriever. They’re amazing dogs. My best friend has owned two, and they’re wonderful. Not quite as stubborn as a purebred yellow Lab (her brother has had two of those, so we know this about them).
We have six nearly-certifiable cats that run amok in our house, who have not allowed the children to forget that they were all here first. The oldest cat is 12, diabetic, rules with an iron paw, will astonishingly put up with a 35-pound three-year-old happily sitting on her, and will tear into bread if we leave it out in the open. Keiki is 11, and is the resident grump. She used to hiss all the time when she was a kitten, because it made such a cool noise. Mika is almost 11, and he’s my nursemaid, and despite being the house lightweight, he’s been known to herd me to bed when he thinks I’m sick. And he finds slightly-open sock drawers an invitation to go sock-fishing, and will occasionally curl up in the bathroom sink. Minou is the precise definition of a scaredy-cat; my father refers to her as The Apparition. She flees under the bed when my husband steps into the bathroom (her hiding spot). Did I mention she’s spent 99% of her life with us? Koa is the embodiment of basement cat; she’s had a bad attitude since the day Pa’ani came home and foiled her plans for world domination…or, at the very least, overthrowing Po. She and Minou are littermates and polar opposites; they’re both almost 9. Then there’s Pa’ani…the Weasel. Too smart for his own good, and yet dumber than a box of rocks at the same time. He’s almost six. He chews on my hair. He snores when he sleeps (although not as loudly as Koa). He exists outside of the feline hierarchy because he just doesn’t care, even when Koa is spitting in his face. He would play with stuffed animals as a kitten when the other cats (disliking his desire to be their new fitness trainer) wouldn’t play with him. Alternately, he’s a lap cat and a menace.
I wouldn’t trade any of ‘em for anything.
Posted on March 13th, 2010 at 5:55 pmSonya says:
When my husband and I started dating we got a dog together. A beautiful yellow lab–we named her Maddie. Now, 13 years later, she’s still as smart, sweet and cute as she was the day we picked her out. Of course, she’s spoiled rotten and a big ham! I’ll come home and catch her sleeping
on my side of the bed and tell her to get down. She just gives me the look that says, “Yeah, whatever.” I laugh and love her in spite of it.
Mountain Barbie will always have a special place in your heart, but a new puppy can find a special place there too. There’s no way I could talk you out of the insanity. It’s too much fun and brings so much joy.
Posted on March 13th, 2010 at 8:11 pmlimecello says:
Awe, a year already? Wow. I still miss your stories about Mountain Barbie – can’t imagine how much you miss her.
Posted on March 13th, 2010 at 9:52 pmHeh as for the coordinated efforts of your family, I’m amused.
We don’t have pets exactly, but my sister has a dog – and I’m actually going to Boston to pet sit for her… Charlotte is a Pyrenean Shepherd, and a champion show dog. Her show name is Kaya de Labrise. Sister got her for $1, because Charlotte is a bitch in every sense of the word and had to be placed – in regards to other dogs. With people, she’s fine and darling. But even though she’s only 14 lbs, she’ll terrorize all other dogs. Including ones that outweigh her by 90 lbs.
I’m actually allergic to dogs [most animals, really] but I love them so so much!
A puppy would be adorable! But um, can you force your family to do the training part? I definitely don’t envy you that.
Diana says:
Those are absolutely adorable pictures of yellow lab puppies! You definitely one!
Posted on March 13th, 2010 at 10:01 pmLynn says:
Your blog is usually a daily visit, but I’ve missed the past few days and the adorable puppy pics.
We have two cats (Mia and Dee). We lost Dee’s sister (Storm) last year. She went in to have a lump in her neck checked out, and she didn’t make it past the sedation. That was very upsetting. We adopted Mia as a 10 week old kitten this past summer. She’s very sweet, but Dee wasn’t too happy about her arrival at first. She’s learned to tolerate her.
We had a dog (Max), part chow, for 13 years but lost him due to old age and health issues earlier this year. Still miss him.
Posted on March 16th, 2010 at 2:35 pmsheilamarie says:
I’m sure your family still misses MB, but I’m glad that you have moved on and have opened your hearts to another puppy who was in need of a loving family. Jake looks absolutely adorable!!!
I grew up in a household that at one time had more than 5 dogs in the compund
and i loved them all dearly. We’ve had chickens, roosters, fishes, and yes, a rabbit too for my eldest at one time.
We don’t have a dog where we are presently (not advisable), so we’re planning to get ourselves our own labrador when we do settle down someday.
But for now, our youngest is like a pup himself. Slippers, sandals, shoes do go missing. Though he doesn’t chew on it, he tries to wear it and drags it off somewhere we cannot find it. The remote controls now have to go up on the shelf otherwise, it goes missing too. So yeah, you will find me walking around the house barefoot now, shouting for my slippers.
Posted on April 4th, 2010 at 12:19 am