Wednesday, July 5, 2017

What's Going On? AKA Why I've been a bit MIA...

In some ways this is going to be a hard post to write. I was tempted to just go with some shows I've been watching but I'm going to tear the bandaid off and just get to it.

In May I lost a member of my family. My sweet girl. You've only seen her a few times on the blog and she was very loved. She was only 13.
My Sweet Girl
She was an Alaskan Malamute and I got her when my cousin passed. He had 2 and his mom couldn't take care of both where she was going to live (she lived with him previously) and his brother could only take one. She did not get along with either of my parents dogs and when my big pup worked his magic, she accepted him as her minon. She got a bit nervous as he grew but he had no problems accepting her as his queen. They got along famously. In fact if he got scared she came running to make sure he was okay. She was his rock in life. I can't share more or I'll cry again. 

She left a huge hole in the house and my big pup really got depressed. So much so I started to worry. I had always intended to get someone for him to play with since my sweet girl couldn't with her arthritis and pain especially in the last year. She didn't care for other dogs so I wouldn't stress her out with another dog. However, I knew my big pup would need a companion of the puppy persuasion sooner rather than later. As his depression got deeper (even my mother commented on it) I knew I had to look for a dog sooner than I had intended. It was too soon for me, but I just needed to get over myself. So I started looking for female who was either a doberman pinscher, a pittie (as sometimes they are hard to place), or a black dog. All rescues if you were wondering but no judgement here because I only care that you provide a good forever home for it once you get an animal.

Then I saw...
Pictures from EAPL
and
Pic from EAPL
With that face I knew I found the perfect one to drive me and the big boy crazy for the next few months. I figured a pup would be best to easier get them together or otherwise I'd have to pick something closer to home for more than one "get to know me" session. Sadly, I didn't see one that looked to be compatible nearby. 

The monster... I mean pup *cough* 😜 was from the Evergreen Animal Protection Services who gets dogs from shelters in CO and neighboring states into foster homes for adoption. She was the last of her litter to go (black dogs don't often get picked). She is a Shepard mix (momma was a Shepard mix and daddy was a high fence jumping salesman). The big boy simultaneously loves and is annoyed with her. I expected that, but he isn't depressed!

Before the pup was picked up to go to her forever home, I did whip up something for the little monster... uh... pup. The font is small and I added a paw prints design which I combined in a program for machine embroidery. I tinted some muslin fabric with a fabric paint (just slightly to give it a bit of an aged look) before I embroidered on it. I then put it on top of some nylon webbing and made the collar.
I didn't realize how accurate this would be...
And her sporting it on a rare down time...

Everything wasn't totally smooth sailing as I did have some problems allergy wise. However, I have found it can be remedied by what you feed and bathe dogs in (Side note: I have a cousin who has a an allergy to dogs but has very little problems with my dogs). She had a med quality puppy food they were feeding her which wasn't exactly bad, but obviously not compatible with me. I carefully looked around (dogfoodadvisor.com) and found one that was "clean" and simple ingredients out of all the ones this brand had. I also trust the company and had researched it previously and it didn't seemed to have changed since the last time I looked at it (Merrick if you were wondering). My allergies cleared up shortly and I think she even feels better with the change. Now she is more of a handful than ever. LOL If you are wondering my big boy is on a homemade diet due to his specific medical problems.

She is now 3 months old and is already learning sit and come with pretty good accuracy. That can be a good thing and and bad one. It tells me she is smart but hopefully I can keep up. We will see (help me? LOL). 

I'll always miss my sweet girl and nothing will keep me from missing her a lot, but the new pup (which I'm not unconvinced she didn't send to me to keep me on my toes) will help with the sadness. She is not a replacement but an addition to the family. She has already helped my boy who is having fun playing with her and watching her drive me insane. INSANE!

So I've been preoccupied at the moment, but it is nice that it isn't all bad news (I think). Now I have to go yell at a pup who just got something she shouldn't have gotten....

🐶

59 comments:

  1. *tears* Hormone overload HUGS!

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  2. I know exactly how you feel. When I lost my horse, Candy, after having her for 22 years, it was like something was missing in my life. I still have her son and he was lonely, so I had to start looking for a new horse more quickly than I would've liked, but we can't have our guys lonely, now can we.

    I'm so glad you found a pup for you and that it seems to be working out. You do have to watch those smart ones. You will have to start to learn out to outsmart them. :-)

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. I'm so sorry for your loss. ((HUGS))

      I'll never be that smart! :)

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  3. I'm so sorry about your loss! I have a dog that looks just like your girl - she's getting older and makes me sad. I don't want to lose her! I'm glad you were able to find a new dog that helped your dog get out of his depression! LOVE that collar you made.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  4. So sorry for your loss. May was a rough month for me too since we lost our lil princess. She was only 11 and it came out of the blue. It's so tough losing a fur-baby. Glad to see that your new pup is keeping you and your other dog on your toes. I wonder why black dogs don't get adopted as much. I knew that was a thing with black cats and I just assumed it was because of the superstition.

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    1. I'm so sorry for your loss. ((HUGS)). There are various theories why they don't get picked. I have had black dogs (and a cat) so I don't get it either.

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  5. So sorry for your loss <3 I am glad to see your new baby bringing you some joy though. *hugs*

    Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles

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  6. So sorry to hear about your dog's passing, but also so happy that you found this cutie! That's interesting about allergies. My husband and I are low-key afraid to try to have children because we're afraid that the baby will be allergic (everyone on his side of the family is allergic and I'm allergic). I'll have to look into the bathing and feeding practices!

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    1. Thanks. Start simply or you will be overwhelmed since no one can seem to agree on proper nutrition with dogs. If you want to feed commercially the dog food site above is a good place to start.

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  7. I'm so sorry for your loss, it is so hard losing a member of the family. I'm so excited for you though that you got a new member to help ease the loss. The monster..er..puppy looks adorable! And hey, it kind of looks like there may be some pit in there! I love pits, they are the most underrated dogs. They really are just big sweethearts.

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    1. Thanks. I've been told pit. I had one as a kid so I don't mind at all. She is definitely a mix.

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  8. I'm so sorry about your baby girl. It's so hard to say goodbye and they never leave your heart.

    Your new monster reminds me of Indy when he was a baby. He was too smart for me lol He learned so fast and I had to constantly keep his brain occupied.

    I'm glad that you kept your eyes out for a black dog. When I worked at the shelter, they (& cats) were always difficult to adopt out and I have no idea why. So stupid

    {hugs}

    For What It's Worth

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    1. Thanks.

      I'm afraid to give her puzzles. I don't know if I want to encourage it. 😝

      Yea, I don't get the black dog thing either and have had them in my life and actually tend to gravitate toward them.

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  9. Ahh... I am so happy to hear that you found a new puppy to help with the heartache. I know how much it hurts to lose a furry friend. It has been three years since I lost my dog, and I am still not over it. Huggles. I hope you find peace and happiness.

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    1. I'm not even close to over it, but it has helped the boy even though he is still having some problems because of the loss.

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  10. *hugs* I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad the new puppy helps with your other dog's depression. That's interesting about the allergies. I'll have to show my hubby that.

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    1. Thanks. She has helped. The allergy thing may be more nuanced depending on you problems but it is a good place to start.

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  11. Oh so sorry to hear about your loss, but at the same time congrats on your newest family member! Looks like an awesome dog. :) And sounds like he's going to keep you and the big guy very busy for a while!

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  12. Awe, Melissa you made me cry for you and the guy, and then you made me laugh. The monster, I mean puppy is adorable and while not a replacement, I hope he makes both of your lives just a little brighter.

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  13. So sorry for your loss, but look at all of the happy memories you have of your sweet girl! And your new pup sounds like a wonderful addition to your family. Hugs to both you and your puppies!

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    1. I agree. Will always miss her but the new addition makes it hard to be sad.

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  14. It does hurt so bad when they leave us. I only had my cat bud so I had the luxury of grieving time before I brought another home who needed us.

    Take care, Melissa. And enjoy your new mischief maker.

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    1. I think we still grieved but didn't expect to do it so soon. I think it is working out though.

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  15. I've always said that our pets should live as long as we do. It's just so hard. So sorry for this huge loss. She has the sweetest face. Your little monster has a very sweet face as well, and I am glad you found her. No it's definitely not a replacement but it still helps a small bit.

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    1. Too short of time. She was sweet and I'm finding that those sweet faces hide a lot of brain. My sweet girl had it and now this new monster has it. :)

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  16. So sorry for your lost. *hugs*

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  17. I'm sorry for your dog but I'm happy to see you found a new friend for the other. SHe looks really cute!

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  18. Oh the tears. I'm so sorry for your loss. She was a gorgeous girl! I'm so glad to see yall opened your home to a new baby. We tend to do the same. Never to replace our lost ones but as a way of honoring them and saving another. She is so stinking cute!

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  19. Aww I'm so sorry for your loss, Melissa. I have a feeling it's almost time for my little guy. I'm glad you were able to find the pup when you did. Hugs.

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    1. Thanks. ((HUGS)) I am sorry to hear that about yours. It is so hard for those left behind.

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  20. nothing can replace another member of the family, sorry for your loss. at least pup/ monster is trying hard to cheer you up

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    1. Yep, nothing will replace. She has made me laugh more than once and cheered the boy pup so I think it was the right decision.

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  21. I'm so sorry for your lost. I had a puppy before who died too but she was taken from us so soon, she didn't even reached 1 year old. It has been a long time ago but I'm still so sad when I think about it.

    But I'm glad you were able to find a new pup, and so cute too :)

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    1. Thanks. So sorry to hear that about your pup. ((HUGS))

      Thanks. She knows she is cute. :)

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  22. What a bittersweet post, I am so sorry for your loss, what a beautiful girl. Your newest addition is super cute and I love the collar. Much love to you all & your new adventures.

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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  23. Oh! I'm so sorry for your loss Melissa! How devastating. I'm so happy for all of you though that you were able to take in this new addition and that she's doing well and keeping your boy happy.

    Big hugs to you.

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    1. Thanks. I'm afraid she has the boy wrapped around her paw more than I realize... :)

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  24. Aww I'm sorry to hear about your sweet girl (she seriously just looks sooo adorable!) but I'm glad you were able to add to the family! Hope all is going as smoothly as it can with a new little beast running around ;)

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    1. Thanks. Smooth? Well, as smooth as can be expected with a beast. :)

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  25. So sorry for your loss, she will always have a place in your heart.

    Your new girl is frickin adorable.

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  26. Ooooo. It's hard with the hole they leave. But sounds like you are on a new journey with the new pup. :) Those are always fun and energetic days. **hugs**

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    1. Huge hole. :( Thanks. ((HUGS))

      Too much energy some days. LOL

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  27. I'm so sad to hear about your loss. I'm glad that you found a compatible pup even though she may drive you up a wall, but seriously I don't know how you can get mad at that face?!

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    1. Thanks.

      The problem is that I can't get mad at that face. LOL

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  28. So sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose a pup. But congrats on your new addition. So cute and love the collar.

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  29. Giant big hugs. It's never easy to lose someone (including furbabies) that you love with all your heart. I lost my first baby, Nicky my cat, at 17 years this past fall. His "brother" passed from a broken heart less than 2 months later in January. I still feel the hole. But my girl and I have been volunteering at the local shelter and are ready to adopt again when we find the right babies. I hope you find comfort in the memories and joy in the new pup. Thanks for sharing with us!

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    1. Thanks. ((HUGS)) So sorry for your losses. Whomever you pick will have a great home.

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  30. Sorry for you loss, but I'm glad you have found someone frustrating to share your love with!

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