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!!!!!

Ruff House

So, I'm still working at that awesome Doggy-Daycare, Ruff House. I love it! I am privileged to work Monday, Friday, and Saturday. Poli is just not a fan of having dogs swarm him, but he puts up with it, and will readily get into the car to go with me. He will play as long as there is no chance of another dog "sneaking up on him". I love his guts!

Poli hadn't had a bath in about 3 weeks, so he was pretty dirty, but I gave him a bath and he looks great! He's such a fluffer duffer!
He has played with this little girl:
She's the white one. The brown one is her brother, and he hates playing just as much a Poli. Leyah is still a puppy, but she looked just like Poli as a puppy. She is a Coton de Tulear.

I'm so freaking excited for our new puppy! I'm still not sure when we'll get her, but we'll know if the mom I want is pregnant in just a few weeks. The litter would then be born in the middle of February and we'd do a major road-trip to Michigan RIGHT after finals(April) to pick her up. The, hopefully, mom and dad are Leia and Solo from Terra Pines: http://terrapines.com/images/Leia/Leia%206%20months.jpg AND http://terrapines.com/images/Solo/Solo%202%20and%20half%20years.jpgthese two have gorgeous pups! Anyway, more updates to come!

...

Hello again to those, my sister, who read this. It's been a crazy year etc. but I'm lovin' every minute of it.
Poli is still a crazy character, but maybe a little better behaved. I've been working at Ruff House Mondays, Fridays, and most Saturdays since April. I still take Poli nearly every time. I've been going to school too. Last semester I took Biological diversity: plants, Ecology, Geography 211, intro. to Archaeology and The first half of the New Testament. It was great! I even earned a 3.78. I'm very proud of that GPA!
This semester I've had some changes and last minute class adds/drops. I'm 90% certain I will stay with what I have now, but we'll see. I have 3 classes for my major(which I have officially declared to be Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation) and 2 Science of Family Life classes...maybe for a minor?
I've also gone through a very special summer. I made a deal with my father that if i lost 35 lbs, I could get another dog...a Native American Indian Dog. I accomplished this feat, and hopefully we will get our girl in April right after finals. We are waiting to hear if the mother, Leia, is pregnant, and then in mid-February the pups will be born. We are all so excited!
The breeder is in Michigan and they are wonderful people. It's called Terra Pines. When we know for sure if our perfect girl will be available for us, we will finalize plans, but for now we plan to take a roadtrip. We, meaning me, Linz, Spencer, Mom, and Dad, will go see some church history sites and then visit our cousins in Chicago. we will then pick up Artemis(Missy) and drive home. (If you think Artemis is a boy's name, you are uneducated!!! Look it up in the dictionary or any Classical Mythology text)
I may add pictures soon, but we'll see if I have the time...

Las Vegas

Last Tuesday we decided to go to Las Vegas. I has work until 7 on Friday though, so we were gonna leave after that. My brother refused to watch our dog while we would be gone, so, luckily there was room, I boarded him at work. When I left ruff house without him, he would not be quiet. He was so upset, and I nearly cried. I drove home and we left for Vegas. Our hotel messed up our reservation, so they gave us two suites for the price we had paid through travelocity(cheap rooms etc.) Nice! Linz and I shared our suite and each had a room to ourselves. Both of us were missing Poli though. Anyway, we were ready by 9 am Saturday for the hotel's breakfast, in the casino. Wouldn't you know it, this hotel doesn't enforce the no smoking rule, so I could hardly breathe as we waited in line for food. We left and went to the Paris's buffet instead. It was amazing!!!!!!! Afterwards we walked theh strip for a while and, being exhausted, I slept on a small couch while my dad had a meeting and Lindsey looked for a nail salon and my mom just sat. And Yata, yata, yata, we drove back home.
We got home at 12:30ish and went to bed. Sunday I could hardly hold still through church. I wanted to go get my dog! Ruff doesn't open on Sundays until 12 and closes at 3, so I left Relief Society, finally, a little early to go get him. When I got there I went into the back to get him, since I work there, and the big dogs who remembered me from Friday surrounded me. Poli was too scared of them to get close so he whined his hardest. When I finally got him to the car he jumped in. I closed the door and he freaked! He may have thought I'd leave again, but I entered on the driver's side and he couldnt' be happier. We drove back to the church to pick up lindsey and waited. When she finally came out I said, "where's Lindsey?" He jolted alert. When he finally found her he started whining, and when she started jogging over he went, again, berzerk. It was adorable.

hike...

So... I love the mountains and wilderness. I've been wanting to go hiking (walking slowly, with many breaks, up a mountain) for a few weeks with Napoleon. So today I drove up to dry canyon, only there is a sign saying something like, "no motor traffic beyond this point." You can't even see the parking lot. Whatever... so i parked there and walked all the way up the PAVED ROAD to the parking lot with, wouldn't you know, CARS! By the time I get there I'm already exhausted, but I haven't even found the trail head yet... then I find the different trails and take one with steps into the canyon. It was beautiful, but I went very slowly. (Of course this is the point where at least three athletic people finish different hikes and see me slowly going up a trail since I'm already tired...) Anyway, Poli did pretty well; He would sniff around when I would pause, and jump up the "big" steps. Don't worry, it was at least a 30 degree incline at least 80 percent of the time. Anyway, we got to the one shady area, and it had lovely squarish rocks on top of each other. Perfect place to rest and listen to Mo. Tab. while looking at God's creations. (the two sides of the canyon making a frame for the valley) Poli rested too. we kept going a little ways, but soon turned around and came back.
On the way down, we passed two old men coming up and a kid later. Poli tried to guard the trail as they passed. He would not leave the center of the trail... he's totally crazy. We eventually made it to the paved road again and went down, down, down. (after going down, down, down dirt and rocks, watching every step so I wouldn't fall to my death) We saw this:
And yes, I do believe it is a half eated moose leg. It gets better. It was about 50 feet from my car, and the subdivision where I parked. Yum.
Anyway, I gave Poli water when we got to the car and I had some too. When we got home though I walked in, and about 10 seconds later, heard poli plop down on the tile floor. He wouldn't move either... he was exhausted;) Then, of course, I had to bathe his feet. the end.

wow. it's been a long time...

So I did have things to talk about and pictures to show, but the pictures were on Lindsey's camera. so, now we have them... or not. she erased them. But... Poli did great on Feb. 14 at work. He was still a scardy cat, but did much better and even approached a cocker and others. Of course, the moment they wanted to play he ran away...

Skip to this week... Poli has been getting resistent. Everytime we tried to leave he would stay away from the kennel so we wouldn't leave and he wouldn't get stuck in there. Then I decided to teach him to stay in the house. I love to watch "It's me or the dog," and she suggested a kong for the dog to play with for the first few minutes while the owners are gone. I filled his kong and Monday nad Tuesday we left him for over three hours. He did great. He is still learning, but did much better than I expected.

So, we all know my obsession with Native American Indian Dogs, right? Poli got into linz's asperin and I became worried, obviously. I know a great deal of his mess making is because he's bored. Reading articles and letters of people with NAIDs etc. I think one of the best ways to help this would be to get him another dog. I realized that getting that second, a NAID, dog was not just for me anymore. I realized that I wanted to get him one so that he would be happier... I thought about what I would be willing to do to get that dog. I thought about what would tempt my dad to get us one... of course! I made a deal with him. We are both happy with it. I lose 35 pounds and he buys me my NAID. I've been doing well so far this week. I'm eating WAY LESS and we go exercising everyother morning. I also hiked a mile into the canyon for a class today. I definitely think I can do this. Not only do I want that do REALLY bad, but I know I need to lose weight and be more healthy. This will be great!

doggy day care...

So, I got a job at RUFF house doggy day care a few weeks ago, (www.utahruffhouse.com) but it's been so slow that I had only worked once. So, today when my dad took me to get the suburban safety inspected, and were gonna go for a walk while waiting, I brought Poli. We were right by my work, so I took him there. I also wanted to see if I could come in, and I wanted to ask if i was allowed to bring my dog to work. Something you should know is that even though I try to train Poli and make him AWESOME, he's got some problems. Other dogs would be one of them. He is terrified. It's so stupid, but that's Poli. So I walked him over to RUFF House and said "hi" to my boss etc. She had me bring Poli back and he went crazy. He ran as fast as he could away from the other dogs and whinned the whole time. She told me to ignore him because I'm his owner and it would help teach him how to behave... Basically he did badly, and pooed, and stayed right by me, but Terra told me to bring him to work every time and he'd get better (I'm going in again tomorrow at 3). So, three problems solved: Poli will get the socialization he NEEDS, I can bring him to work, and I am going to work!!!! Yay! Another reason to love this twelfth of February...

HOORAY

One year ago today I drove with my parents and sister to pick up my brand new puppy. He was perfect. Although it was a rough week or two teaching Napoleon not to whine in his kennel and then to not pee in my room at night when he slept on my bed, it has all definitely been worth it! I have noticed, and I've talked to my family about it, but having a dog completely changes me. I am all around happier and I have someone to distract. I have always known I would be a dog person, and I thank my Heavenly Father for one of the best blessings I have. Although I'm allergic to many things, dogs have never been one. There was a time when I thought I may have dog allergies, but it was just grass. I have worked with MANY dogs the past year and can say with all confidence that I am not allergic, and I am definitely meant to handle dogs. Poli is the greatest blessing in my life, and I love him so much. Thank you Mom and Dad for giving him to me, and thank you everyone else for dealing with my ranting and crazyness about my dog.
And now, without further adu... Poli as a rug... or, at least he looked like a bear rug and I thought it was funny so here it is:

This is where Poli decided that the couch wasn't enough, or a pillow on the floor. He actually moved the pillow into position to lie down on it on the couch. He certainly seemed content. Happy aniversary!

biology...

I had a big biology test yesterday that was all free response, and misspelling lost you points. It was incredibly nerve-wracking. Today in Biology we went on to the Phylum Annelida...worms My favorite was when we learned about the class Polychaeta. They look like this: These suckers are generally 1.6 meters, but can be about 3 meters long... The picture he showed us in class looked fake. That thing looked like the perfect monster. All I could think of the whole class period was "Tremors." Remember that movie? Yeah, I barely remember it, but that's all that I could think of;)Now I really want to watch that movie!!!

crazy dog

so, last night, when I about ready to go to bed last night, I found Napoleon lying on top of Lindsey in my dad's office. He was chewing on his "bone" and loving it. I grabbed it and he started jumping on Linz. so funny. we decided to film it (even if we couldn't capture his initial crazed energy).







So I've been looking into therapy dogs: dogs and handlers that go to hospitals or rest homes etc. and help the patients. I really want to do it, but I highly doubt that Poli could ever do it. I'm rather upset about it.

On another note, last semester my family not only went to Boston for my nephew's baptism without me, but my closest cousins went on a cruise. I didn't go on either incredible trip because I had no money, I had school, and I was (am) trying to keep my scholarship - yeah, like that's gonna happen. Now, my parents, and sister, cousin, and maybe brother, are going on a Mediterranean cruise(yeah, one of my dream vacations). I would like to go, but I don't have the money, and I'm strangely practical for a college student; I don't see the point of going when I could use that money to do a number of other things(including buying another dog), but I don't have money anyway... so that's my sob story even though it's not really sad at all.

long celebration and explanation

I have loved dogs all my life. I always wanted to be a vet, and now I am actually planning on it. I worked at petco grooming, and now a doggy day-care just south of my home. I am one of those people who get almost depressed when I don't have a dog. It's silly, but absolutely true. I know how I've felt with and without owning a dog, and the difference is startling. Basically, dogs are a MAJOR part of my life.
Now Napoleon is my pride and joy, but I have always wanted a wolf or husky, (I read at least two wolf books a day in Elementary school) and about a year ago I discovered that they made it legal to own a wolf-hybrid without special training. I was in love, but, of course, my mother didn't want a dog 'cause I was a bad owner as a kid(she had to do alot). Also, She, and my uncle who comes over every week, is allergic to dogs.
This is where it gets interesting. I have spent so much time the past few years on dog cites that I've decided on my favorite ones and their order. They are the cites I use to learn about breeds and available dogs 'cause I have this ridiculous notion that if I let myself look at available dogs, it'll bake me feel like I get one... Anyway... last February I had MORP (well, I planned it with NHS, but didn't go) and basically threw a party at my house for my friends that werent' going. (February 9th) none showed...it was a whole mess of mis-communication. On Monday the 11th, I had my first tutoring session with a girl in elementary school. My dad walked in and told me he actually got my mom into a pet store that day. She had fallen in love with the puppy bichons. My tutoree and I spent a long time talking about dogs,a nd she agreed it stank that I didnt' have one(she had 2)
That night my dad more or less said, "Heather, Mom decided that you can get a Bichon Frise." we looked online for hours and finally found a litter of puppies at 7 weeks. My dad called her and and made an appointment to get a puppy the next day. That night we went to petco and purchased dog stuff. When I went to bed I couldn't sleep. My heart was going CRAZY! Longest night of my life...
We drove out to Colorado the next day and met her halfway. My sister Linz, of course, came with us to get my pup. She was gonna help, but it was really my decision. On the way we thought of names. Rambo, Prince, Princeton, and I think Frenchie were our ideas. Then we stopped to get drinks and realized my brother Spencer didn't know about this... we let him know and he or my sister suggestede Napoleon. I debated between that and Prince, but I would decide when I chose my dog. We bought a towel just before meeting the breeder, pups, and husband in a parking lot. Linz got out and she let us see the 5 boys in a open carrier in her car. One adorable one had pink on his nose and just jumped right up to lick us. He was also the biggest(to me, the bigger the dog, the better) I fell in love, but wanted to check them all out. Linz and I checked out like one more, but both were in love with that first one.
He was a Napoleon, we decided in the car, because it was cute, we could call him poli for short (names with a y sound at the end are supposed to be better in teaching dogs - yes I've done way too much research.) It was a VERY good thing we baught the towel, 'cause the poor thing threw up many times - hour long road-trip in the windy mountains. We got home and got him settled in my room (another life-time dream, having my dog sleep in my room which was now possible with a hypoallergenic dog.)
So I hope we can all understand that I need and love Poli. On the 12th we celebrate Poli coming into my life! yay!
I say all this not only to celebrate poli, but to show that I still love him even with my fascination. A fascination with Native American Indian Dogs: wolf-like, hypoallergenic, calm, huge, almost no grooming, quiet, kind, and basically my dream dog. I found them on a dog cite(puppyfind.com) and want one, for me and so poli can have a buddy. It's not that I don't LOVE Napoleon, it's that I'm a freakish dog person that pretty much devotes her day to dogs and would love a NAID to go along with her Bichon...
the end

You'll just have to ignore the creepy eyes... the pictures were taken with a regular camera with a flash


So, Poli took his two favorite toys and combined them yesterday... He hung his bear with his frizbee. No, we had nothing to do with it, it was all his doing