It’s getting down to the wire. Jim wants to get a puppy in August. That’s like FIVE WEEKS! I think I may have zeroed in on a breed. My stipulation (if you recall) was that it be medium to small in size and low-shedding. I’m thinking perhaps a Cockapoo. We had one when I was a kid (er…um…until my mother sold it to some “farmers”). We like Winnie, my mom’s bichon frise, but like our carpets, we need a dog that doesn’t show dirt as much.

Meanwhile, Jim found this picture. This is Buckwheat, his childhood dog. She apparently followed him home one day and the rest became the stuff of legend. She was fierce, loyal, protective, worked on a cure for cancer or something…

I have no idea what kind of dog she was, clearly a terrier mix I’m thinking.

I’ve gotten addicted to Petfinder. My only concern with a lot of these shelter dogs is that many of them were rescued from puppy mills. I’m afraid of puppy mill dogs. If anyone can disabuse me of my fear, I’d be happy to listen.

Also, if anybody knows anyone who will have cockapoos available in August…

Disclaimer: No children or animals were injured in the making of this blog.

This weekend, the Dec household is dog sitting for my parents. We have Winnie, a 4 year old Bichon Frise. For the record, she does not shed, is too short to cruise the countertops, and has (so far) not tried to eat any legos. She did, however, have an encounter with a 4 lb. neighborhood daschund puppy. Winnie went belly-up in about 2 seconds flat. When asked to comment, Winnie had this to say…

Hi Mom and Dad. Things are going okay here. It’s totally not as clean as our house. I mean…not even a little bit. Also…that Daschund was fierce. In fact, Robin is full of it, I really think that was a rabid bobcat. The Monroe County Sheriff’s maybe need to get on that.  Anyway, don’t worry about me, I’m doing fine. Last night, I got to sleep with the little one, she smells good and doesn’t take up very much room. Plus, she’s got all these fluffy things in her bed that are good to chew on and pretend to strangle. (Bring it on “Baby Daschund”) Also, I found out that if I tug on her pant legs when she’s walking by, she squeals and trips. That’s just good comedy right there. She’ll play with me all day long if I want. The only bad thing is she keeps dressing me up in stuff. I’ve been a pony, a princess, a cat (not my favorite), and a ballerina. Anyway, hope you’re having a good time. I’m going to totally need to power nap when you get back.

Love, Winnie.

Congratulations to Temperance Animal Hospital for 30 years in business. They held an open house today. I may have mentioned this before, but my daughter is a bit of a horse/puppy freak and has insisted (for about 2 years now), that she’s going to be a horsie vet. I get that we’re a long way off from those types of decisions, but she’s steadfast for now. While driving to the car wash, I decided to take her over.

She had a WONDERFUL time. The highlight was peforming Teddy Bear surgery.  With the help of one of the real live veterinarians, she selected a wounded stuffed puppy from a basket and got to assist in sewing it back up. Meanwhile, whoever’s running around Temperance slicing up stuffed animals needs to be stopped She hasn’t put the thing down since. Our new stuffed puppy’s name is Sugar Creme Cakes (catchy). Here she is feeling much better.

 (Er…and in case you think I’m trying to be like Michael Jackson…I get that a lot…They gave all of the kids surgical masks and hats to wear).

Sooo, I of course polled some of the experts regarding what type of doggie might be best for us (recall, low shedding, medium to small sized, good with kids are our current parameters). I mostly got a “good luck with that.” Kidding. Poodle mix still seems to be the advice of choice.

Anyway, kudos again to the great folks at T.A.H. We never did make it to the car wash.

We’re in the process of making a major family decision. We are a dog family. Only, we don’t currently have a dog.

First, the Sad Part of the Story…

We had a dog. A beagle. Her name was Zosia. But…Zosia never really adapted to the birth of my children. She got quite depressed and then started exhibiting behavioral problems. Then, she got in to the garbage and ate some things that were very bad for her. Chicken bones. We eventually had to euthanize her. That was nearly five years ago.

Fast Forward to Now…

My husband thinks we’re ready to get a new dog. Not today, not tomorrow, but perhaps for Xmas 2008. I have mixed feelings. I love dogs too. I loved having a dog, just not with two little un-potty trained babies. We don’t have that anymore. Our house is not new anymore. We’ve lived in it for nearly 3 years and the kids have done their own number on the carpets and furniture. I’m over it.

So…we might be getting a dog this year. The question is what kind of dog. I have a couple of deal-breakers. It must be a dog that’s good with children (obviously). We do not want a large dog. (25 lbs max.) My husband does not want a “sissy” dog in the sense that he wants one that will love hanging out with him in the woods from time to time. I do NOT want a dog that sheds heavily (which leaves Beagles OUT). We’re thinking some type of terrier. In particular, the Border Terrier. Check it out.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/borderterrier.htm

He’s a cutie. Looks a little like Benji. We’ve not completely ruled out the idea of picking one up from a shelter. But…again…my major deal breaker is the shedding issue so I’d want to be VERY careful in choosing a mutt. I know all dogs shed to some extent, but some are much worse than others. (Don’t be offended Daggett. We love you just the way you are…living at Aunt Becky’s. You know we are WAY too high strung over here :)

So…I invite thoughts, suggestions, advice (except for my mother…she’s already made her opinions clear