puppies

Wow, it has been awhile. So much fun to talk about. I can tell you that I received a new job just before my year mark at SEL. I'm still at the company, but I am now a Technical Document Specialist, which means I get to work with the engineers to edit and revise our product manuals. It's a wonderful job, and I have my own beautiful desk and computer. I have yet to decorate.

Around the same time I received the promotion, my parents officially moved to Pullman and sold the Utah house. With some of the extra money, they purchased me a little condo/townhouse and I pay rent with Kara, my roommate. This opened up the possibility of getting my Great Dane finally. She was born August 19th. I went to Utah over October conference to see family and the puppies, and two weeks later, I met Linsey (my dear friend I met while working at Ruff House, and the breeder I trust above all others  - Velcro Danes) in Boise to drive my little girl home and her brother to Spokane.

I plan to certify her as a therapy dog, and I have the connections already. I must simply wait until she is old enough. I've brought her up to Spokane to see her brother and his owners multiple times when visiting the temple. This has of course been easier since receiving my endowments! Such an amazing gift.

My job is pretty amazing now, and my coworkers are fantastic. I work with engineers to improve and update product manuals. I've also been heavily involved in the ward with multiple callings, the only one that has been consistent has been Ward Music Chairman. I have, however served as second counselor in two Relief Society presidencies (one in Moscow, ID, and one in Pullman, WA).

Cassie and Poli love each other, but she is definitely a little much for him. I think I'd like to help with Linsey's breeding program in years to come, and co own a black/white boy, but I will have to see if that ever becomes an option.

Pullman, Washington

It's been awhile, and I apparently had some posts rather recently, but they were deleted... anyway life is crazy, as always!

The dogs:
Poli and Ari got along SO well and just loved eachother! Poli definitely improved when we got Ari, and he loved having a buddy, although he had to learn to actually play (which is really just him barking and playing chase, but it's adorable when he and Ari chase each other, especially when he's chasing her). Ari had her problems - which happens when you have relatively no training for the first 4 years and then in addition you're an outside dog for at least two of those years - but she was wonderful. Sadly, as I prepared to graduate from BYU, I realized that I'd need to move - the plan was Boston, but it just didn't work out... LAME.

Ari needs owners who understand her and can handle her. She was difficult for people when they "babysat" her, and if she got out, I'd be chasing her for more than an hour. I realized that I couldn't just leave her with anyone, so in January/February I felt that the best thing for her would be to start looking for a new home. I found her one that seemed perfect: husband and wife with a new son, she was a stay-at-home mom, he worked at the aquarium and had had arctic breeds before. They have a 6ft fence and wanted to keep her as an indoor dog, but could let her out without worry when she wanted to go. I did an interview with them, and it was rather surreal how she just bonded with them. She stood next to the husband (whose name was literally Ari) and just let him pet her. she didn't stay by me at all, which is strange for her.

Anyway, after much thought, prayer, and fasting, I realized that they were absolutely perfect for her and it seemed right to give her to them. When they actually picked her up, she got nervous when he went out to their car. It was so strange, but I knew that she recognized them as her new family. She didn't even hesitate to leave with them. Poli struggled for a week or two, but my mother was visiting and could stay home with him while I was at school. We all adjusted, but it was hard. We'll always miss her, but know she's where she needs to be!

Graduation:
I've finished school, and I'm so happy to be done! My senior course was  the bane of my existence, and I managed a B+ despite my teacher's attempts to thwart me (and the rest of the class, apparently). That made my overall GPA 3.58 (my first year was dismal because I had decided not to worry about keeping my scholarship... then I grew up). I was hoping to do an internship with Little Brown and Co. in Boston over the summer, but it didn't pan out, so I explored many other options.

I searched and searched for jobs, applying here and there. Oh, the life of a humanities major! Anyway, I'm still looking, but I've basically moved to Pullman, WA to be with my parents. I've missed them much more as of late, and I felt very strongly that I need to be with them right now. I'm up here "visiting," but once I have a for-sure job, I'll drive to Orem and move up here with all my stuff - and Poli! It's been wonderful hanging out with my lovely mother, and weird to have meals almost always prepared for me! I love the area, the community, the wards, and the culture, so I'm hoping it will work out.

I miss my old job at the BYU Bookstore though. It was a blast working there for 2.5 years! I had to leave because it's a student position... and I'm no longer a student, believe it or not! I'll miss every one of my coworkers for different reasons, but they were all wonderful. One of my last days I just started explaining the things I loved about each of them (at least those that were there towards the end)... I'll list it here just for fun!

• Ashley: Ashely was rather adorable. She helped me to keep a positive outlook no matter what I was facing in school, work, or life in general.
• Julia: I only really knew her for my last two weeks, but she is just so fun and spunky! It was so much fun to work with her and she just gave me a whole new perspective of Utah life!
• Nicole: Nicole was my adopted daughter, and was a hoot! She always made me laugh and just let me feel so at home in the office.
• Alex: Alex was gone my last two weeks for her honeymoon, but I got to say goodbye to her before that. she was so fun and different (in a GOOD way), and just added a new aspect to the office.
• Joe: Joe is an awesome mexican chef and awesome friend! He would get so many songs in my head over and over, but it was fun. He is just a powerhouse at work and - as far as I know - in church. He's such an example!
• Steph: Steph was practically a hipster, and told me more about current news than I ever found out on my own. She always added flavah to the workdays, and knew how to have fun amid stress!
• Sara: Sara was a genious in the office. She knew the ins and outs of every system and how to fix any problem, but never condescended. She was a sweetheart and always a friend.
• Erika: Erika was such a leader and knew how to enjoy work despite whatever was going on. I loved talking with her, and she would always make anyone feel better, just with a chat.
• Stehly: Stay-fresh was our California addition who knew just how to have a good time. I kinda think of him as the one who brought the partay to the office. He was a hoot!
• Tyler H: Tyler was only there about a semester before I left and worked a completely shift, so I barely knew him, but he seemed like a solid, good guy, and I know those who worked with him loved it.
• Griffin: Griffin was just funny in his own way. I really didn't work with him much, but he was always laid back and helped all of us relax even when staying on task.
• Tyler O: Tyler just made every day funnier by his comments and attitudes. He could talk with you forever and the time would fly by.
• Clark: Clark was a fun guy, and a great friend - one of the few who loved fantasy and sci-fi as much as I did. We had so many discussions about books that I can't remember them all, and he's such a smartie! He could point out things I'd never even considered.
• Linny: Linny was just plain "awesome-amazing"! She and I could talk through our shift while still getting tons of work done, then hangout later as if nothing was different. She loved fantasy and chic. lit. as much as I (if not more) and we were instant buddies! One of my bestest friends!
• Holly and Sarah both left before me, but I'll miss them both as they were both fantastic!

Anyway, after that exhaustive list... off to other things...

I finally had my interview with Learn to Be, and I'm now a full-fledged tutor! It's entirely voluntary, and it's all online, so it works out perfectly for me! I'm so excited. Now I just need to find a new way to serve at the hospital (In Utah, I visited the UVRMC for their sacrament services once a month to help bring the sacrament to the patients and employees who wanted it). I'll also miss visiting my grandmother, but at least she has other family around and now I'll be closer to my mom. The closest temple here though is about 1 1/2 - 2 hours away and you MUST make an appointment, so that's going to be a HUGE adjustment! We'll see how it goes once I figure my life out!

no longer a one dog household

It happened! I adopted a NAID!

My breeder, Jeanine, contacted me about 2 weeks ago to let me know that she knew a family that was giving up their female NAID and asked if I'd be interested. I was and she gave me their contact information. We e-mailed back and forth until we met Saturday, June 26th.

I felt VERY good about the whole thing. It all seemed right. Not to mention, the previous owners were LDS, so I felt that I had a connection with them and that I could trust them. It was a LONG two weeks.

They live in Denver, so we met halfway in Grand Junction. This meeting was to make sure that she and Poli would be okay together and that my mom was not allergic. After driving 4 hours, Spencer, Mom, Lindsey, and I arrived with Poli. We fell in love with the NAID(Tala) and after watching her and Poli for a bit, decided that they would eventually do great together(Poli was a little freaked).

I took her for a walk in the park before choosing for sure. She had never been trained to walk on leash without pulling. After only a few minutes, she understood and stayed with me pretty well. Once both parties decided this was the right decision, I left them to say their goodbyes and wrote the check. When we traded check and dog, her kids asked me to trade for Poli. It was cute but sad.

We drove home in near silence. My mother was astonished because neither dog was whimpering or whining and she had expected out new girl to be frothing at the mouth. We got home, I gave her a bath at Ruff House, and we are all doing well. She can jump our fence, but hasn't tried yet. She is a very smart girl, but rather shy. Poli avoids her mostly, but on Sunday he played with her. Although I was set on the name Missy, it didn't feel right. We named her Ari, still short for Artemis. She is already responding to it.

I took her to the vet today, and she is healthy. We got her vaccinated for rabies and licensed. We also printed a BYU tag at PETCO to put her name and our information. Now she jingles just like her brother. What a weekend!!!!

Puppy?

Well, after months of weirdness, we may be getting her. BUT, she will be a Siberian Indian Dog if we get this one. She will be 75% NAID, 25% Husky. There are two that are the right coloring, but one is "more favorite". This is her:
It just so happens that I got a grant for last year's schooling. It totaled $6400. Half is for my dad to pay him back for the portion that he paid last year, but the rest is going towards this next school year. This is the reason I can now get my puppy. Yay me!

No Missy

Well, we finally received the news. Leia delivered on Friday, February 19th, but had only one puppy due to a difficult delivery. The vet decided that that should be her last. The breeders are keeping the puppy in order to continue Leia's bloodlines, so we are not getting a puppy this go-around.

I admit that I am rather disappointed, but I understand that for some reason, the Lord did not want me to have Missy at this time. I think that the reason it all seemed to be working out perfectly was so that He could show me that he was overseeing the whole thing. I know that I will someday get my little girl, but now is not yet the right time. I have been blessed with this experience, and I am so glad that the Lord loves me enough to test me and try my patience.

I have my adorable Poli, who couldn't love me any more than he does now. He is seriously my little ball of sunshine! He always knows when I need his companionship, and I couldn't make it through college without him. He has been growing so much, and I'm so proud to call him mine. I cannot wait for the day when I can share him with a husband and children. When that day finally comes, it will be well worth the wait.

Thanks for reading! God bless!

Missy?

Well, we haven't heard yet if Leia and Solo had puppies. It's becoming very difficult for me to just wait. In fact, I cracked today and e-mailed the breeders again. I feel so bad for them. I swear, I must be the most annoying person on the planet! Hopefully, we'll find out by the end of today if Leia had the puppies, and if we get one by the end of next week.

Poli has grown so much since I first began work at Ruff House! I guess I've grown too. I've become much more assertive and ready to handle what comes. It's great how a job can have such a profound influence on you. ;)

One thing I'm very excited about is this:I feel that if Poli can climb up to a big boy like Shep(who looks very much like what I want Missy to look like) and lie down, then not care when Shep's baby sister, Zola, Lies on top of him, He's ready to get a sister! Bye for now, but I'll update as soon as I know!

Missy...

wow. Well, the breeders are about 90% positive that leia is pregnant, and if she is, the puppies will be born around the week of February 14th. I'm going crazy here! I also found out where i am on the list...16th):

they said that 8 of the people in front of me are waiting to get a puppy, and only three of the remaining have also expressed an interest in leia and solo's litter. We are all hoping and praying for a large litter!

I try to remind myself that this whole journey has been because i feel that the Lord wants me to want and get this dog. I have been led and guided through this whole process and I know that if the Lord does want me to have Missy now, I will get her, and if not, then I wont. Because of this, I pray to accept whatever the outcome and for Leia to have whatever puppies she is supposed to. "it's really hard for me".

In an interesting twist of events: Poli found our hair sample. This is the hair that Dan and Barb(the breeders) sent us so my mom could test her allergies. Poli likes to get into it, tear the plastic and reveal some hair, and just smell it. I think he may put it in his mouth too, but so far I've only experienced him smelling it. He is calm and happy when he does this, so we are all taking it to mean he wont do too bad with Missy.

Poli also gets to go into the vet on Monday for his annual vaccinations. I'm actually really excited for this because he does so well, thanks to all the training I've done with him. Last time, the vet was amazed at how well-mannered he was. He doesn't even jerk OR wimper when he gets his shots.

Sadly, as I tried to readjust my ever-duller blade for my grooming clipper, it basically broke. I now have to order a new blade (only about $10), but shipping is so dang expensive! I'm going to try and convince my boss to have me purchase stuff for ruffhouse along with it so I don't need to pay shipping etc.

Ruff house if doing puppy socialization now which I am so excited for. This will be great for me as a trainer/enthusiast, and for Missy when she eventually comes. Well, lets hope it all works out!!!!!