It's Been a While...

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I can't remember the last time I was on DK, but I do think of my friends often!  Hope everyone is doing well!!

 

As some of you know, I have a 2 year old girl named Charlotte (human!).  I also have Peri, the 5.5 year old goldendoodle, and Taquito, the almost 11 year old Chihuahua with kidney disease.

 

The past 6 months have been a whirlwind for me. In June I found out we were expecting no. 2!  Two weeks later my boss resigned and I have been in a whirlwind ever since. Work has been quite stressful and the pregnancy was, shall we say, poor timing!  However, I have to think of it as "perfect" timing as I would have put off having a 2nd child due to all of the career changes going on right now.  And I always wanted my kids to be closer in age - they will be 28 months apart!   And we are having a BOY, so I get the best of both worlds!  Baby boy is due February 4th, so I am hitting the home stretch.

 

Dogs are fabulous - and 2 year old is fabulous with them.  Helps me train Peri, gives them treats, etc...  She even understands that they can't have grapes (which she loves) - so when she eats them she says "Peri, Taquito NO, you can't have grapes" - ha!  Peri is in great health but got a little chubby from stealing some of Tacky's homecooked food.  Vet recommended I crate Tacky while he eats, but that didn't go over well - he refused to eat.  So I moved his food to the den where I have a clear line of sight while in kitchen in morning and evening.  Peri eats in laundry room and after 2 months, I can say that we are successful - Peri may get his food 1-2x per week if he walks off and I am somewhere else, but overall, she is on the path to skinny :) 

 

We've almost reached the year mark for Tacky - in January 2014 they told me he wouldn't live longer than 3 to 6 months.  But I've been diligent with sub-q water hydration treatments and his diet, and lo and behold, look who's hung in there!  He's doing quite well and is HAPPY - they day he stops being happy and is miserable, I will do what I need to do.  I will NOT let him suffer and don't want my kids to see that either (or me in hysterics).  But for now, Vet says Taquito is "amazing" and that his momma is too (not to toot my own horn, but in this world of bad owners, TOOT TOOT).

 

That's all for now. I need to get a pic of dogs with toddler, but that's pretty much impossible. So trust me in that dogs are great, still vital members of our family, even though I can only post a pic of my human kid.  HUGS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Carol and Banjo]

So nice to "see" you and your growing family!   Congrats on your new addition!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you so much for posting Allyson! Charlotte is a beauty. Congratulations on your little boy. We will look forward to pictures as soon as possible. I was afraid when I read the title that Tacky wasn't doing well, so reading that he continues to thrive is spectacular news. Peri sounds like such a good big brother to Charlotte and I'm sure he will remain so for your soon to be here son. I hope 2015 is a wonderful year for all of you. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Great to hear from you and that everyone is doing well. Congratulations on baby #2. Charlotte is adorable! It is great to see parents who realize the importance of teaching a child how to interact with animals and continue to treat all creatures, great and small, as vital members of a family. TOOT TOOT to you!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Good to hear all is going well with Tacky and I can hardly believe Charlotte is so big already. Seems like you just had her.  I hope you have a very healthy happy New Year and that work settles down for you.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Good to hear from you, congratulations on your second and Charlotte is beautiful!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Charlotte has gotten so big and she is beautiful and clearly smart. I love her outfit. Happy New Year to you all and smooth sailing with the new baby.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thanks everyone :)

[Jennifer and Jack]

Congratulations to you!!! So happy for all the excitement in your life.....take good care!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

So good to get updated, Allyson.  I am thrilled to hear that Tacky is doing so well and to see how big Charlotte is getting.  Kudos to you for balancing work, children and dogs, you deserve lots of TOOTS.  I can't wait for the birth update!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

So good to hear from you! Congrats on baby #2! Charlotte is getting so big and is as cute as ever! Love that outfit! Great news on Taquito! Happy New Year!