The Dog Saga

Well it has come to an end FINALLY! Phillip and I decided about a month ago (although he claims having no part in the convo) to get a dog. Yes again.

The first dog we got was Leia. She was a wonderful puppy. She was a mix of Jack Russell, what my brother believed to be Orange Heeler (sp?), and something else. I didn't have my head on straight when I got her. We went to Operation Kindness which is a no kill shelter and I couldn't leave without her. Abby was only a year old at the time, the dog was bigger than her. We had her about a month. Through no fault of her own, she simply wanted to play with Abby, she ended up scratching Abby's face and the rest of her body. We had Abby first, so the dog went back.

The second dog we got was an 8 week old Maltese. Cute as he could be, dumb as a box of rocks, and again, I didn't have my head on straight. I hadn't ever owned a puppy before, Leia was house trained. This puppy was like having a baby/toddler at the same time. He tore up our guest bathroom baseboard, he bounced off the damn wall, and I couldn't get him house trained. Abby doesn't like bouncy rambuncheous animals. He was all of the above. She couldn't really play with him mostly because of his attention span, and it was all about DON"T LET THE PUPPY PEE ON THE FLOOR. What's fun about that. So, he went to my friend Amy's mom.

So, this time around (live and learn) I decided we will not get a puppy, and the dog must be house trained. I can handle all the other antics that come with a dog, but not needy, and not pissing and shitting on my floor.

So for two weeks I've looked at dogs. I found a few pugs, a puggle, and a chihuhua. I showed Abby all the dogs she could pick from, and then we landed on the Basset. End search. So this past weekend I was on Craigslist, animal shelter websites, rescue websites, you name it I was on it looking for a Basset Hound. Every time I found one, I would call, tell them I wanted it, they would call back 20 minutes later and say "someone who lives closer can come get it now, so I gave it to them". Real classy. This happened 4 times!!! That's not counting the ones I would email, they would email me back, I would ask when to come get it.....end emails. RIDICULOUS! So I decided this is a sign. I am not to get a Basset Hound. I love them, think they're adorable, bad sign. I actually wanted a beagle to begin with. But, of course everyone has a friend who has a friend who has a cousin, that has one that howls. Phillip said no right off the bat. Abby preferred the Basset over the Beagle, but only because I said they're fat and lazy and they're belly drags the floor, that just sounds funny and entertaining. Plus this couple we know has a 9 mos. old beagle. He's a good dog, but he does bark and howl.

Before the Basset saga began I found a lady who has a beagle. She isn't advertising her, she has been keeping her until she finds someone interested that will give her a good home, then she is willing to part. Well before me there wasn't anyone she thought would be a good home. She took possesion of her for friends that are moving out of state and won't be able to take the dog with them. So she took her to prevent her from going to a shelter. She has had the dog 3 months now, and the dog is house trained, doesn't bark, doesn't howl, and doesn't appear to be to terribly active. LOL She's PERFECT....and she's a Beagle named Penny. I hope she turns out to be our great dog. I go get her Friday. The family that had her before had 3 children so I know she's good with children, we aren't sure on the cats. The lady says she shows no aggression, she doesn't even get excited or bark at squirrels. So I think we'll be ok. Ritzy is lazy and laid back, she'll just go hide if she isn't a fan.

Hopefully this will all turn out fabulously. I think she'll be a good doggie. I will post pics once I get her. I'm not telling Abby until we get there that she's not a Basset. Drama will ensue if I tell her prior. Once she sees the dog, she will be like "what Basset?". LOL