Our new Normal

I am learning a bit, now, about life with dogs!

There are certain joys that come - like, the laughing smile the dog has on his face, and that adorable greeting, even when I've just gone into the bathroom and come back out again!  It is like, "Hey, lady, I haven't seen you in a month!  So glad you made it outta that room alive!  YIPEEE!!!!"

I love our Teddy Ruxpin!

I am seeing, again, just how much energy goes into the proper raising of a dog! 

Daily walks- good news is - my jeans are fitting me again - nicely - not snugly! 

I am walking nearly a mile if not more, every day.

Tonight, all 3 kids and I played heartily with doggy!  We had him running, jumping, spinning, swirling, chasing all his doggy toys, THEN, went for a good walk/jog.

When we got home, he VERY willingly ran into his kennel (for dinner, and water) and laid down, immediately, and has been sleeping peacefully since.

I am finally figuring out the key to "good" kenneling - it is a very intense workout session before night-time.  :)

I am very bummed, though, that with all the time spent acclimating Teddy to our home, we have not been able to get to the shelter three times a week to walk Those pooches.  I hope as things settle down some here, we can keep going at least that often.  We have made it once a week, still.

Not directly related to Shelters, pets, and animals, but. .. ..

I have been pondering some things - and I'm just going to be copying a FB post I made today.  Well, two posts. 

Mostly because I feel this is extremely important for people to realize.  Humans seems to really enjoy just putting each other down.

I am beginning to understand more and more why some people just adore their pets so much.  I have always been an animal lover.  Recently, as my kids are getting older, I am seeing the effects of society on their self-images.

We home educate our kids (well, until recently - my 12 year old began private school a few weeks back).  But, I have educated my kids at home for 8 years now.  Even with that "protection" from bullying and people picking on them, they can still pick up on how they are "different".  I have a daughter who is tall and slender.  And, while most of us who are NOT so blessed to be naturally "tall" or "slender" might figure they have NO self-image problems, that is exactly the opposite.  Then, they are just called different names.  The following two posts came after a good talk I had with my daughter, who JUST turned 10.  She was concerned that maybe she was TOO skinny.  My heart ached, because, when I was ten, I'm sure I was longing to just BE skinny.

So, my thoughts for today:

Y'know what kinda baffles me in our day and age. . .. . I really feel for the truly slender girls. My daughter is VERY tall, and appears to be blessed with daddy's gene-pool (tall/slender).

It is EXTREMELY disheartening to me to hear her ask me if there is something wrong with her, because she IS so skinny. Already. She is age 10.

Please, friends, be kind with your words to my daughter, and other slender young girls. She is NOT starving herself. She eats plenty (believe me - she can pack on the food - impressive).

NO ONE in our society would feel it acceptable to walk up to a larger child and say, "So, kiddo, packed on a few pounds, I see." But, I hear so many comments about "Toothpicks" and "do you ever eat?" and, "maybe you need another burger"

I have NEVER experienced what it's like to be that slender. But, believe me, my momma hackles are raised when I hear my baby-doll ask me if she is TOO skinny.

I told her - some girls are bigger, and she's been blessed with the ability, at this point, to basically eat LOTS and LOTS of food and maintain her slender figure. I told her that I have always struggled the other way - with having to watch everything I eat, and forcing myself to get off my lazy butt and move, in order to keep from becoming huge.

Just sayin' - PLEASE, everyone, be kind in how you talk to parents, and the comments you make to other kids - girls/guys- whatever. Just cuz they're skinny / slender, does NOT mean their own self-image is not affected.

There are NO "perfect" bodies out there. WE're all created in ways that need improvement here and there, and are wonderful.

Just cuz my girl is very slender, does not mean she does not feel bad when people call her a skinny minny, toothpick, bones, etc.

Rant.

Done.

Thank you for listening.

 

 

Dogs aren't born perfect, they are trained perfect

I have been pondering how much work and effort is going into "raising" Teddy.

Even at the shelter, as we volunteer, we, as a family, have been trying our best to take our "job" seriously.  I instructed the kids - OUR jobs, as volunteers, is to assist in CREATING animals that can be somebody's pet and best friend.  So, when we're in the cat rooms; pick up and hold each and every cat each time we're there.  Don't just rile them up and play with them, but, interact, love, hold them.  TEACH them it's nice to be loved.

With the dogs, I now bring treats with me, and we make them sit, be nice, listen, etc.  These dogs will hopefully become someone else's cherished member of the family someday.  I can't help but believe a dog that behaves a bit better has a better chance of getting adopted.

Now, with Teddy - it is consuming hours of my time.  Time, that a few years ago, I would NOT have been able to give, willingly.

We are in dog-obedience class - which is a sacrifice, but one I'm willing to make, to help create a family pet who is a JOY to be around!

I am taking lots and lots of time to help Teddy feel loved, accepted and part of the family.  It has meant dealing with some marking territory - INSIDE MY DOMAIN - yuck.  It has meant working hard - tethering him around us, room by room by room, to be sure he's going to keep that leg down until he's comfortable with that area of the house.

We have had Teddy a little over a week now - almost two weeks - and I kinda wish I had logged the hours spent in training, teaching, loving, comforting, holding, helping, introducing, feeding, brushing, caring for, and investing in his future as a member of our family.

I am the type of individual who invests my heart and soul into life-changing decisions - including my children and my pets.  We now have our 2 cats and our dog, and 3 kids.  And, I believe my "quiver is full", as I've heard the expression.

I am patiently longing for the day when Teddy is fully acclimated to life in OUR home, is well trained and can be off leash throughout the whole house and have the freedom he has EARNED.

Until then, it is almost like having an infant again.  I have to plan every trip - even to the grocery store.  I have to make sure he hasn't been kenneled for too long, or I just decide to go later, when my hubby is home.  We have to reconsider family vacations, think about doggy spas/kennels for when we DO go somewhere.

I am NOT complaining about this either.  It is the timing in our life that is right - we CAN consider these things.  Our family has settled into something of a routine, and our home is in better order now.  Had we tried this when we were not ready and able to give our time, money, energy, I cannot imagine the stress it would have created in our house.  Teddy most likely would have had to head back to the shelter, which would have broken every one's hearts.

A dog changes everything - as does a baby.  At this point, I am ready for this challenge, but it truly is a challenge, and an investment for our family future.

I remember thinking "Oh whatever" when I read advice on "when to get a dog" - and now, I can see and understand from personal experience.  It takes HOURS and time and focus in order to create the family pet you desire.  A dog isn't just born into perfection, haha.  He/she is trained and loved and adored into perfection.