Animal Housewife

In the morning, I reached under the covers to pet sleeping Barney and he drowsily wrapped his front paws around my hand and drew it to his hot puppy chest and, squeezed, and my heart warmed like a rock in the sun: quiet, strong.

Last year my husband and I went to Mexico on vacation.  We stayed in Puerto Morelos

and Playa del Carmen. 

A detailed trip report can be found here.

We ended up getting a dog while we were down there!  Here is a link to a story I wrote for on online magazine about her adoption.  Sandy is such a little sweetie.  She fits in our pack so well.  Often I watch her playing in the backyard with the others, a smile on her face, and my heart swells.  It’s been nearly a year since we found each other.

Sandy at the shelter – can you pick her out?

Sandy at home:

I love Woody because he’s leggy and beautiful and wolf-like.  I love him because he’s loyal and gentle and kind.  Because he came to a house that already had two dogs and even though he’s bigger and stronger, he never challenged them.  Because he sat at the Animal Humane Society at an old age, because he sat there for a long time.  Because he needed someone to love him.  I love Woody because he’s handsome and sweet.  I love him because he tries to curl all of his horsy 70 pounds up in my lap when I sit on the couch.  Because he gets his purple ball when I ask him to, because he gets it all the time to show me now, without my even asking, because he knows it pleases me.  I love Woody because he speaks on command and howls when he wants my attention.  I love him because he tattles on the other dogs when they wrestle in the bedroom, because he lies on the kitchen floor and waits for hours for his dinner, because food is his favorite thing in the world, other than me. 

Last Name:  Meister

AKA:  Woodman, Big Guy, Woodster

Breed:  Husky?, Shepherd?, Wolf?, Pan’s Labyrinth

Lola is a golden retriever mix, found at the Animal Humane Society when she was approximately 10 months old.  She had been transferred there from another shelter in WI.  She was at least 10 pounds underweight and was suffering from kennel cough.   After we brought her home, she wouldn’t play Tug with us with her new rope toy.  She would just drop her end and look up at us with her big brown eyes.

She’s four now, and she completely chews her toys to pieces the minute she gets them.  She’s at least five pounds overweight and she runs the household.  She is a terror at the dog park because she’s afraid other dogs are a threat to her pack.  Unless the other dog is a frightened puppy, then she will immediately curl up with it in a protective manner.

Last Name:  Kinz

AKA:  Punkin, Pretty Golden Retriever, The Prettiest Girl in the Whole World, Love of My Life

Breed:   Golden Retriever, Pretty, Pouty

Frankie, a Chow Chow/Shiba Inu mix, was also found at the Animal Humane Society, when she was three months old.   We had decided that Lola needed a puppy for company.   The day that we brought Frankie home, she pulled my pants down in a public park and bit me on the face.   She used to stare me down.  She’ll still do it once in awhile when I ask her to do something, but the twinkle in her eye gives her away, and she eventually obeys.  She gives great hugs and has a soft, purple tongue and a ready smile.  She’s two years old now.

Last Name:  Doodle

AKA:  Munchkin, Doodle Monster, Frankie Doodle Dandy, Weirdo

Breed:  Chow Chow, Shiba Inu, Woodland Creature, Knucklehead, Vicious Beast