Wow - Daddy's home!

What a great gotcha day and Christmas present --- Daddy came home early to spend 2 weeks with us!! I'll get to snuggle and sleep with him every nite. He's my bestest buddy in the whole world.

I got an OWWIE!

Mommy called me a "stupid dog". Daddy said "when is he ever going to learn?" They don't understand that it's my JOB to make sure all the new horses learn that I'm the boss and they have to behave themselves or I'll bite their tails.

Yup. I got kicked. Hard. In the face. Everyone says I'm lucky because I only lost some hair. They don't realize that I lost a lot more than hair - that pesky Cash thinks he's got the better of me now, and I don't like it. Ok, I'll stay next to the barn when he goes in and out (when any of the horses, even my friends, go in and out). But I draw the line at staying away when they're in their turnout pens. Unless Cash comes to the gate and stares at me, that is --- then I run like a scared pup to Mommy. I hate that. Now I'm the baby who's afraid of everything! Wait until I get better, Cash - I'll show you a thing or two - maybe you'll be gone by the time I get better - I hope I hope I hope.

It's My Anniversary!!!

I can't believe a whole year has passed! Mommy went to the airport on Sunday to pick up Daddy, and when they got home the first thing he did is wrestle with me and he hugged me and said "happy anniversary big boy". I feel like I've been here furever - I love my family and my furbrothers and sister Matilda. We went to see Miss Lisa at the shelter and brought a big bag of puppy food for the poor guys who haven't found their furever homes yet, she was happy to see me, too! My picture is up on the wall over her desk and she still forgets and calls me "Lazzie", but then she remembers and calls me Jakey and tells me what a lucky boy I am.

And THEN I got a stuffed squeaky toy from Santa Paws and a PIG EAR from Miss Wendy and BJ! Mommy and Daddy thought I didn't know how to play because I just held my toy and lay down with it and put my head on it and Tucker was throwing his up in the air and running in circles with it, and Cody, Mocha and Matilda were ripping theirs, but I really love my presents and want to hold them, like I hold Mommy and Daddy. . . .

Happy Holidays, everypup!

Daddy? Coming home?

Tucker and Cody told me that Daddy was coming home. I'm so happy - he's such a nice man - he's the one who told mommy that I wasn't going to leave ever ever again. I can follow him around and lay my head in his lap and take naps with him. I can't wait to show him how I learned how to PLAY while he was gone. I missed him!

Thanks, Cooper! - Thanksgiving Tag

Thanksgiving Tag

My buddy Cooper tagged me! Okay, let's play -

Here are the rules:
Because it’s Thanksgiving time, there is a change to the rules. Each player needs to tell seven special things they are thankful for. Tagged dogs must post the rules in their diary and their 7 things. Then choose 7 pups to tag and list their names. Let them know by pawmail or rosette that they have been tagged and to read your diary for the instructions on how to play.

7 things i'm thankful for:
1. my "auntie" Lisa Carlson for calling my mommy about me
2. my mommie for trying so hard to get me placed and then taking me home with her
3. my daddy for taking one look at me and telling me I was never going to leave them
4. Tucker and Cody for being my bestest friends
5. living on a horse farm with lots of places to run and lots of big "dogs" to play with
6. my gramma for spoiling me when mommie's not looking
7.my new "auntie" Wendy who brings my girlfriend "BJ" over to play with me every day.

7 pups i've tagged
1. Lilly
2. Daisy
3. Zoe
4. Maddie
5. Duncan
6. Pickle
7. Menemsha

Happy Thanksgiving, everypup!

Mommies are so silly!

I'm sitting here watching Mommy get watery-eyes while she types my story. Doesn't she realize that everything was planned? I was supposed to be here with her and my furfamily. I miss Daddy when he's away, but make sure that I stay with him the whole time he's home. Life is great and I'm so happy in my new home.

Jake

Catching up on the first 8 months . . . . .

Jake's mommy here. I've been meaning to help Jake write his diary since he came to live with us, but life is hectic and having 6 pups (3 labbies, 2 springers and a heeler) makes it even more chaotic! Reflecting back on life with Jake,

He came to us on December 23, 2006 as a result of a phone call from my friend, the animal placement officer at the County shelter. She was crying on the phone when she told me about this beautiful lab who was returned by his adopted family for no good reason (we think it's because they realized that a 3 year old toddler and a 2 year old lab create a lot of work and need a lot of energy to manage). Anyway, here in Johnston County, NC if an animal is returned for ANY reason, they are deemed unadoptable and scheduled to be PTS. Well, Jake's (then called Lazerow) last day was supposed to be December 26th. After frantically trying to find him a home, I asked my husband if we could foster him until he found a forever home. Reluctantly, he said yes. I picked him up and it was love at first sight. All of the other dogs immediately started playing with him and made him welcome. Art said that he wasn't going anywhere, and so Jake came to live with us. He's been the best Christmas present ever!

Over the next few months, Jake learned his new name, learned what "come" and "stay" meant, and most importantly, learned that those "big doggies" (the horses) kick and they hurt if they have shoes on. Luckily, he's only been rolled by two of them (no shoes) when he tried to bite their tails. He's also shown us how talented he is - he can climb over fences and gates, and knows how to slip his paw through the gate opening to trip the latch and let everyone out to play. He only opens the gates to the horse yard, though, and that entire area is fenced in so no one can get in or out.

Perhaps the most amazing transformation has been in Jake, himself. When he first came here he was confused, a little skittish, and afraid to play. Everything was done on "Jake time" which meant that he did what he wanted, when he wanted and where he wanted. He now is the most affectionate, gentle bear of a dog that anyone would want to know. He is on a routine - so much so that if one of us is late for anything, he let us know about it! He smiles now, and is proud when he "carries" my hand and leads me to the kitchen to make dinner. He's a gem and I'm so lucky to have found him.