Puppy Fever!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Suzann's recent discussion asking for puppy pictures, is giving us all puppy fever. I think it we don't show the other side of the coin, we are soon going to have Carol, Banjo and Cello....Anna, Achilles and Aphrodite....Ricki, Tara, and Laurie....Donna, Quincy and Limerick...Jane, Rooney, and Gable...and the list could go on and on. I am trying to stay strong, so I don't end up with Fudge, Vern, and Frito. March is the month I brought both my puppies home and I found both my pups over the internet and fell in love with their pictures. One picture was all it took and now I have two dogs.LOL

When I first brought Fudge home, it had been 15 years since we had a puppy and I forgot all the work involved. I guess with the first one, I was busy raising my family and one more little puppy didn't seem like such a big deal when I was raising two girls. This time around, I had declared that there would be no more dogs in our future, and then I found Fudge's picture on the internet and fell in love. We were practically empty nesters and could have any life we wanted, and one picture convinced me I needed a dog :) 

I just found a copy of my Christmas letter the year we got Fudge and had to laugh when I read what I had written:

 

The last time we had a puppy was over fifteen years ago and it is amazing how one little puppy can be so tiring.  Fudge slept in a crate next to my side of the bed and I heard every noise she made throughout the night.  When she wasn’t making noise, I would worry something was wrong.  Since she is so dark, I could not see her in the crate and took to sleeping with a flashlight, so I could check on her periodically.  The only problem with that plan was I would doze off and lose the flashlight in the bed and have to either turn on the light or search frantically in the dark.  I was waking everyone up with all the activity and scaring John with all the groping under the covers.  Several times he yelled, “that’s not the flashlight” and even in my dazed stupor I figured that out right away.  The lack of sleep was also starting to affect my appearance and my cheerful disposition. 

 

In the mornings, I took to walking Fudge in the nearby cornfield in my robe and rubber boots and usually forgot to comb my hair on the way out the door.    John viewed this as an opportunity to hone his comedic skills… “Hallmark called and Maxine wants her clothes back…..did you run into Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Lion on your walk?...if the look you are going for is disheveled, scary woman, you nailed it yet again.”  Finally, I just said, “I didn’t know Soupy Sales had a brother Stupy” and he quit for awhile.  I think he was almost afraid to come home from work each day and open the door.  I know what everyone is thinking, but this was different.  One night, when he got home from work, I told him I was so tired I could not remember if I showered that day.  He said he had a hint for me, if I had; I had not done a very good job. Another day, he kept looking at my chest and finally said, “What is happening here?”  When I explained that Fudge had chewed my good, very expensive, bra and I tried to fix it, so I would not have to throw it away, he said if the bra was supposed to lift and separate, I was O for 2.  Several times, I caught John and Hayley plugging their noses when I walked by, and when I asked them why they kept doing that, John said, “we had one more option, but Hayley didn’t think she could hold you, while I wiped you down with tomato juice.”  It did take awhile, but I started to adjust to the new routine and turned to John one evening and said, “Guess what?  I took a long shower tonight.  I think you know what that means.”  It was hard to hear what he was saying, because he was way over on his side of the bed and had the sheets pulled up over his nose.   I think he said he hoped it meant the health department had finally acted on an “anonymous” tip and stopped by the house.

 

I brought Fudgie home in March of 2009, and you know what happened? Somewhere between the puppy biting stage, the sleepness nights, the worries about her not eating....I fell in love. It had probably already started with that one picture. I wrote this letter in November of 2009 and by January, 2010, was looking for another PUPPY. Like childbirth, which I swore not to do again, I forgot and did it again :) Just like Fudge, I fell in love with Vern 's picture and the anticipation of holding him and loving him and that is exactly what happened. So, I might have to stop looking at those puppies for a couple of days because I am getting PUPPY FEVER. How about you??

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I'm the one fighting the urge to get Rooney a brother, one that is already named, what do you think this is doing to me.  Darned old puppy pictures any way.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, Remember, I am sending you one of mine :) I just have to find a box. LOL

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Heck no, I still have 2 puppies and know I couldn't handle one more without losing my mind!!! LOL!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

That is exactly how I feel, but I wouldn't mind cuddling another puppy and then handing him back to his owner.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Bandit will always be small so it's like having an infinate puppy.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Plus, he is so darn cute, you can't help but want to snuggle with him.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Just like the limericks, DK can cause trouble.

[Connie & Bocelli]

Laurie, thank you for sharing this.  I too am facing the challenges of getting a puppy with all that entails.  I know that I'm in for all that you described but I'll be doing it alone.  My husband of 39 years decided he didn't want to be married anymore and now, 2 years after our divorce I'm ready to add a new man to my life, but the furry kind!!  I know that I'm in for the ride of my life for a few months and then, as you said, I will fall in love with my little man who will always love me and won't ever say he doesn't want to be with me anymore.  Of course if the breeder decides to give me one of the little girls of the litter, I'll have a furry little female in my life :-))

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Connie, I can't even imagine that after 39 years....men are stupid :) You will love having a dog. Even on my worst days, I wouldn't ever trade the life I have right now for any other. These dogs are a big part of that feeling. You will fall in love the minute you put your arms around that little guy/girl. A dog loves you no matter what :) Good luck and post pictures, etc.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Connie - I am married but spend most of my time alone.  I wake up every day to kisses and cuddles from Rooney - men - who needs em!  ;)

[Connie & Bocelli]

Amen to THAT sister!!

[Connie & Bocelli]

Thanks Laurie.  Yes, I know the love of a dog is forever.  I have had a few dogs in my lifetime and they have always been pure love and joy.  No man could ever measure up to a dog's unwavering and unconditional love.