Saying Goodbye and..Hello!!

I had a pretty awful year and a half when it comes to pets!! I lost all four of my beloved senior cats, that I had since birth!

Most recently, I said goodbye to my sweet Fozzie girl, after her battle with lymphoma! She really gave it a good fight! It may sound stupid for some, but once I told her to let me know when she was ready to say goodbye...she did. She no longer came around me. She didn't eat for 4 days, and wouldn't even lay next to me, she would turn her back on me. Cats know more than most people think they do!

Like I did for all of my pets..when the time came, we went to the hospital for our final goodbye. I petted her, and whispered into her ear how much I loved her, and what a good cat she is...until her little soul left her sick body.

I have a really hard time with euthanasia. I understand that it is humane...but in the back of my mind I still feel like it is should not be my decision.

She was the last of my kitty family. I had these cats when I was married...we met at a completely different time in my life, and they have been through so many moves, and break ups. They have heard all of my heartaches, and you can't just "get another cat" to replace such long term companions. I cried until I thought my eyes would explode!

That being said...it felt like cheating, but once I knew Fozzie's diagnosis, I began looking for two new cats. I wouldn't adopt until we had said goodbye, but I had a tricky wish list, and I wanted to get my feelers out.

The cats had to be bonded, and adults! I don't have the patience for kittens, as cut as they are!  I was accustomed to adult snuggley cats!

I prefer persians...but wanted long hair cats, because believe it or not...(having had both) long hair cats shed less than short hairs.

In short, after putting my feelers out with several rescues, I was lucky enough to adopt a bonded male and female from my favorite rescue!

I adopted Garret and Aurora. (named after Jack Nicholson and Shirley McClain's characters in Terms of Endearment) 

They were from a hoarding situation, so they were loved, but had to be given up.  I hope their former owner knows that these two hit the jackpot coming to live with me! 

Life goes on. 

A New Life Partner...

I know you were all excited that I finally met someone, right? But this post is not about MY life partner, it's about a life partner for my dog Mr. Magoo!

Mr. magoo posing with his pool...

Being a puppy mill breeder, Magoo has always loved other dogs! So, I've been on the lookout for a while now for the right dog to live with us, and be his new best friend..it's not easy to make a match. The dogs are the ones to decide if they will be friends, and then I have my three senior cats to worry about on top of that!

We've had a few trials. 

But after years of  looking at potential dogs...we have officially adopted a new life partner for Mr. Magoo! 

Mr. Bohannon with his tennis ball!!! (named after my man crush on the show Hell on Wheels)

A friend of a friend found him as a puppy about six months ago, and didn't have time to care for a dog, and wanted to find a loving home for him. I took him on a weekend trial,  but after the first night it was clear that he was meant to be mine. 

He and Mr. Magoo played for hours their first meeting, and my cats didn't mind him at all after a couple of hours. He is around a year old, and I'm not sure what kind of dog he is until I take him to my vet, but the previous owner said the vet told her he is a shih tzu mix. I think he may be a maltese mix, he is really little, (about 6lbs) and has silky hair. 

This dog hit the jackpot coming to live with me, and  his previous owner couldn't have found a better home for this little guy!

Sleeping on the back of the couch...

rawhide!

This new little guy even spent the day at Grammas (my Moms house) with Mr. Magoo, and she agreed that he is a great dog! (good thing because she is my dog-sitter!)

After a much needed hair cut, we hit the park. Mr. Bohannon decided to survey the water safely from the bank, but true to form, Mr. Magoo got right in!

Life partners...at last!!

Gotcha Day...

Four years ago, I adopted a VERY introverted little dog because I learned from my visits with him at the rescue that he was there and gone a couple of times. Turns out, he was adopted and returned twice for not "bonding" with the people who took him home.

He lived the first four years of life in a cage at a puppy mill, terrified of just about everything. I knew my home was the one he needed to be in so he could know what love is, and become a beloved pet! I had the patience, and love to give to him to wait for him to come around!

He learned to eat out of bowls, walk stairs, play with toys, (and then his kitty siblings) all in due time, but it just took time.

And, he's grown into the best little companion I could have hoped for!

Animals come into your life for a reason, he has inspired my love of volunteering for animals, and it really makes me feel good to spend time with those animals who have no one else to depend on.

Happy "gotcha" day to my Mr. Magoodle bug!

Mr. Magoo is a rambunctious dog, that you would never guess is 8 (or 9, or 10...) and he sure turned awful handsome with some TLC.

I work with dogs all the time that are amazing, but don't show their true colors on a first visit with them at a rescue, they have trust issues.

Take a chance! Consider adoption! Some animals just need patience to become who they are meant to be.

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks...

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But I beg to differ.

 Mr. Magoo, the shih-poo puppy mill rescue lived for 4 years in a cage with no human love. He is 7 or 8 or so, we really don't know since most of his teeth have rotted and had to be pulled due to neglect.

 In his three years with me, I have taught him to eat and drink out of a bowl, go outside to potty, walk on a leash, go up stairs (but not so good at down), play chase, fetch toys, and sit, and lay down. He knows people aren't bad, and he enjoys being petted, playing with his kitty siblings, and belly rubs!

 Our newest venture is learning to "wait" for treats. This is him showing off.
 

 I love that silly "second hand dog" with all my heart.

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month...

I was always a "pet snob". I only wanted pure bred cats and dogs. Papers in tow. I never ever thought I would adopt a "used" animal. That is, until one stole my heart.

It is adopt a shelter dog month. I put together a little video in honor of my trash to treasure dog in hopes that more people can see that just because a dog doesn't look perfect, he can still be a loving companion.

With love and patience, I rescued this shy little shih poo after a life in solitary confinement... a cage. Being good for only one thing...breeding in a puppy mill.

He didn't know humans, treats, toys, stairs, petting, snuggles potty training, or love. The biggest thing was..love. Shelter dogs deserve a happy ending to their lives of misery.



The song is by my favorite singer/songwriter Edwin McCain "The Lucky One".

I have had lots of pets, but the special bond you achieve from rescuing an animal, and showing them how life "should be" is unexplainable.

I hope that you take the time to consider a rescue pet. And if you are unable, make a small donation to your local no-kill shelter. If not monetary, they always need used towels, blankets, etc...

Shelter dogs aren't broken!