Quick Catrina Visit

One of my dearest friends Catrina made a quick visit this week. She arrived Thursday afternoon and we talked non-stop until she left Saturday morning! What a treat! The last time I saw her was about three years ago at our wedding and the last time we had just us time was 4 years ago. She is a busy mom of 4 and home schools. We managed a good walk, pedicure, and a quick trip for frozen yogurt.

I was also thrilled for her to get a chance to hang out and talk to Danny as well. One of the best things about my friendship with Catrina is the spiritual depth it quickly goes to. After almost 25 years of friendship, its such a blessing to know this woman is still thriving in and striving for Jesus in a serious and challenging way. Despite talking 250 miles a minute, she has a wonderful way of communicating the heart of many issues.

When we were teenagers, we were both accused of being "blunt." She still thinks she's the "nice" blunt one of the two of us, and I am the "mean" blunt one. Hmmm.....

Also, she has the SKINNIEST ARMS. They are extremely scrawny.

Thanks Cat for the girl time!!! (is that nice enough?)

Too Many Possible Titles for this Blog Post

 

"When Things are Not What They Seem"

or

"Another Heartache"

or

"Cuddly to Cujo"

These are all possible titles for this blog post. I am not sure why I ever, ever, EVER think life can be predictable as if God's will and Sovereignty occasionally suspends itself for my personal whim.

We met "Bear" Saturday afternoon in Alexandria on a cold and windy day. He was not what we expected. Undisciplined. Very strong. Short/stocky for a lab. Almost a little insane, but can you blame a dog that has been living at the vet for almost 3 weeks? But he was more handsome in person and despite the "behavioral" issues (which we knew could be trained to obedience), he was happy to be with us. And he seemed to respond to Danny as the "alpha."

We stayed in a pet friendly hotel and Michael stopped by to visit and we video chatted with the Gardners for Bear to meet Bear.  Danny gave him a much needed bath and he cooperated. He loved his new bo-bo and was happy to go for a walk. He didn't know many commands, but consistently could "sit."

It was a challenging situation trying to become attached --- probably as much for him as for us. But we were willing to give him a chance. We managed to drive him back to Raleigh and the more the hours passed the more we all seem to start to get connected. We went for a 3 mile walk and took a nap and then we thought we'd go for a ride to the pet smart.

He was, like he had been in the past 24 hours, shown enthusiasm when we said, "Go for a ride?" He immediately wagged his tail and made a little whispy bark sound as if to say, "Let's go! Let's go!"

He also did that when we would say, "Go potty?" and "Go for a walk?" He would get all happy seeing the leash. These are all good things to see in a lab.

So as we prepared to go for our ride to Pet Smart, we ran into our neighbors who have two female dogs. They all met -- both female dogs showed submission and Bear didn't seem bothered by it.

Danny opened the hatchback door of the truck and Bear immediately jumped while I got into the passenger seat. Just like an untrained dog, he went up front with me and as Danny called him toward the back area and I encouraged to go back all seemed fine. But it was not.

Without any indication, Bear jumped toward the back and went into full force vicious attack toward Danny who was waiting to help take the his leash off.

We are not sure what set Bear off but he literally went bollistic and attacked Danny more than once. Danny was able to get Bear off of him and kick him in the face which made Bear go back into the truck. Bear tried to go for Danny again but Danny was able to close the hatchback door on him.

At this time I got out of the truck in a panic and tried to climb on top of the truck on the front outside, because I knew if I didn't not get up high, and Bear was not contained I could be in trouble.

So there it was, just 30 hours later this was our situation with our new dog. It is one of the most traumatic experiences and thankfully -- PRAISE GOD -- only Danny's left thumb was really bitten. He has lots of scratched and teeth marks on his arms. We were in shock and stunned and and and and .....

Ultimately we called Animal Control. They showed up 40 minutes later and let Bear out of the car and he seemed back to "normal" and quite happy to come out. They will have him quarantined for 10 days and then put him down.

We called the Lab Rescue in VA and she was stunned and in horror as well.

So there is my heartache, small as it is. The emotions for both of us had us reeling. "What if..." or "It could have been worse if...." were constant thoughts.

I have more on this topic -- especially as it relates to who God is and not so much on what Bear wasn't.

Danny is okay. He went to the Dr.s' today and is on an anti-biotic. We'll be in touch with Animal Control to make sure there isn't a possibility of rabies despite Bear being up-to-date on his shots. Danny also thinks, and I think there's merit, that Bear is not a full breed lab because of how "stocky" he was; maybe some pit mixed in.....

I heard Danny say to Bitty, "You know, you are starting to look really good to me now."

Is It Time? Its Time!

Is it time for another dog?
I thought it would be many, many months before the answer would be "yes."

Is it time for another dog now?
The answer has shocked me (and Danny). But yes.
Danny and I are thrilled at the prospect.

I have been quite touched by many of you who have expressed understanding of our loss of BamBam. Thank you for your cards, and expressions of love. So many folks here in my community have affirmed me in ways that God has used to help me grieve with perspective and experience healthy healing.

I can get teary-eyed pretty quickly over talking about BamBam and missing him still. But I've also noticed that both Danny and I aren't looking to replace BamBam, we are people who want and have the lifestyle that includes the love of a dog.

We have put in an application and got approval from the DC/NoVA Lab Rescue for adoption of a chocolate lab. Its been a little nerve racking --- I cannot even imagine the ups/downs that people go through for child adoptions! (Catrina I think of your family).

I was perusing the site last Thursday and instantly fell in love with "Bear." We head up this Saturday to Alexandria to meet him and if all works out, bring him into our home and hearts. He sounds perfect for us.  I'm glad to understand that I've got love to give another dog. And the thought of "rescuing" a dog feels different than just getting another dog.

Meet "Bear" (from the website) ---

Bear is a 7 year old neutered chocolate male. He is up to date on his shots and is heartworm negative. He is good with other dogs and is approved for kids aged 10 and up. He weighs 77 lbs. He is 100% happy, happy lab. He loves treats and would be a great ball player. He jumps up to greet you but that's just excitement.

Update from Bear's foster family 3/7/2011:

It's been three weeks since Bear came home with me.  He is really starting to show his true character.  He is always happy and has great energy for a 7 year old (I'm beginning to wonder if he really is 7).  We go for several walks a day, but ideally he would enjoy a home with a fenced back yard.  He loves to run and sniff around the back yard and all around the neighborhood.  He is a smart dog and eager to please (and very food driven).  He has great house manners and knows when it’s time to settle down.  He does think he’s a lap dog (I don’t mind).  He does this thing when I first sit down on the couch.  He takes his head and buries it behind my back, with his tail in the air wagging.  Sometimes I think he’s telling me, “You finally sat down”.  

Bear is a great looking dog (the pictures don’t do him justice).  He is very stocky (and all muscle).  He has a beautiful shinny coat and great teeth.  He gets more looks and compliments during our walks in the neighborhood and our visits to the pet store. 

He also loves to ride in the car, and knows "let's go for a ride".  He goes straight to the car and jumps right in.  He moves around a lot in the beginning, but knows what I mean when I say "get in the back".  After a few minutes he settles down and enjoys the ride. 

He sleeps through the night without any trouble.  Last night he did whine a little, but I soon realized it was because he didn’t have his new toy with him.  He likes to sleep on his favorite toys (and my shoes). 

This weekend we went to a farm where he was around other dogs, horses, and cats.  He did great around the dogs and even the horses, but a little too curious around the cats.  I think he sees them as moving toys.  I think he needs to be in a home without cats.