Stuart's 1st Adoptaversary!!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Most of you know Stuart's story - born in a puppy mill - how we adopted him from a rescue organization in Atlanta, how sick he was when we got him at 8 weeks.  Oh the stories I told about the Coccidia & Giardia - with the poop catching paper plates and rubber gloves.  I shudder to think back to the days when Stuart's body emanated an odor so repulsive to me that I cried, thinking I had made a mistake.  (We continue to believe it was the smell of the parasites but it lasted for 2-3 months- uggg)   Now I can't imagine my life without my baby Stuart - still my baby at 70lbs!!! 

Stuart's 1st day with me and his 1st bone

Along with Rooney - they are the loves of my life.  There have been ups and downs this past year but how blessed I feel that every day has joy because of my boys.  How bad can life be when every day starts with doodle kisses on the bed?  Stuart is a real snuggle bug who sleeps not with his mom, not next to his mom but ON his mom.  He lays his front paws and head right over my legs, and one of us gets a good nights sleep, lol. 

Sleeping with the ball STILL in his mouth

Stuart can't stand to see his brother giving or getting loves and so will shove Rooney out of the way to make sure that he is getting more than his fair share.  Stuart has the biggest, blackest, coldest nose and I kiss it at least 20 times a day.  I laugh at his antics, the burping, the way he tries to lovingly get the kitty to play by taking his giant paw and stroking the cat, his rock and stick eating - oh dear.  He learned to fetch the newspaper by watching Rooney do it - that was all it took.  The big lug is ball obsessed, will swim endlessly, thinks he is a lap dog, will not jump into a car - has to be lifted, has the head tilt. 

I shake my head at myself when I see the scars on my leg from when I dove into a dog fight to save my boy, nothing else mattered at the point.  What a treat that we have been re-united with his brother Beamer and are getting ready to meet with two more, Crosby and Foster this month.  There will never be another Stuart, there can never be a greater love in my life.  People tell me "he is so lucky you adopted him".  Uh no!  I am the one that is lucky to have gotten this beautiful boy for my own. 

 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I can't believe it's been a year since Stuart arrived.  I am so happy for all of you on this very special anniversary.  All I can say is that I am sending you my warmest congratulations for today and into the future. X

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This blog sure speaks to my soul, Jane. You and Stuart are both lucky.

Happy Gotchaversary to you both!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Love all of the photos! Baby to big boy.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Beautiful recap and tribute to your big love boy! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Lovely story and photos. Wishing you many more happy adoptaversaries.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Yay Stuart!  (and Rooney for being such a great big brother)

Lori - Luna will jump into the car but won't jump up on our bed (it's about the same height)...she just feels like she can't do it so she doesn't.  Occasionally she forgets that she "can't" do it and hops up on the bed and looks surprised.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Yes, you are lucky... but he is pretty darn lucky, too!  What a devoted, loving mom he has.

But I am slightly disturbed to hear he still has to be lifted into the car... you mean, they don't all grow out of that little quirk?  I have tried to entice my Rooney to jump, climb, hoist, bound...anything... to get himself into the car.  But he always stands there looking at me like I am asking him to scale Mt. Everest. 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Wow!  How time flies...  It truly seems like yesterday that Stuart joined your family - and that you were running around catching poop on paper plates!!!  How wonderful that you found each other - a real love story!  Happy Anniversary to you all!!!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

What a beautiful story! Happy Adoptaversary to you and Stuart and your family!!!

[Carol and Banjo]

What a wonderful Love Story!    Stuart, you're one of my favorite Doodle boys!  (You too, Rooney!)