Fur kids are family too

I don't know how to write this without telling a backstory.  But, that story is lengthy.  And, not one that I am capable of typing now.  So, here is a terribly condensed version.

I picked up a red merle Australian Shepherd puff ball in August 2003.  I was living in California, and my step-mother had just passed away from brain cancer.  I was in a very sad place, for a variety of reasons, and this guy brought so much love and joy into my life.  I named him Jesse James (because Jon Bon Jovi has a son named this too.)

I moved back to Texas and Jesse moved with me.  Jesse was my baby.  I've never shared a relationship with an animal like mine with Jesse James.  I had a significant other at the time.  He was an important part of Jesse's life as well. 

When I moved to Australia, leaving Jesse behind was one of the most difficult, heartbreaking decisions.  I felt like a parent abandoning her child.  The boyfriend (who was now an ex, and he was pretty heartbroken himself) had so much love for Jesse that he stepped up and took responsibility for him.  I know this person gave Jesse love, companionship, and a home that he deserved.  I am eternally grateful to him for that.  Words can't express my gratitude.

Jesse James passed away on the morning of Wednesday, the 2nd of March, 2016.  I'm shattered.  I've known for about 90 minutes.  I've been mourning his loss from my life since late 2008, but I knew he was living a happy, well-cared-for life, and that brought me comfort.  Now, I'm just mourning his loss. 

Jesse James, May 2003 - March 2016

I had just pulled up this photo for a different blog post - one of those Q&A ones - it asked about all the pets I've had - I answered including this picture and the special bond I had with this guy.

Meet the Canines Link Up

 

 Hi!  That's me, Dolly, in the picture below on the left side of the photo box, and me, Sally (on the right)...a couple of sisters living in Australia.  Our human mom is Erin, the main brain behind this blog, and she asked us to tell you a little bit about ourselves.  

We were born November 2013.  The human owners at the time claimed that our doggie birth mother was full-blooded Great Dane, and our doggie daddy was 1/2 Great Dane, 1/2 German Shepherd.  We don't know.  There may be some Great Dane and German Shepherd in our mix, but we are pretty sure that we are a mix of other breeds too.  We claim to be 100% mutt and we're happy with that. 

When our human mama and daddy came to look at us as puppies, they couldn't choose between the two of us, and we both went home with them.  We're pretty happy about not being separated, because we were both really nervous and timid at first.  We didn't leave each others' sides.  We're told that Dolly was named in honor of Dolly Parton because she's a strong, lovable woman.  Sally is from the song Mustang Sally, and it sounds like a good sister name to Dolly.

 

Hi, Dolly here.  My favorite things to do are jump on my mom (even though I'm not supposed to jump), eat, get bones, and sit (because it's the only command I know).  I am aware of my short-comings...that is, I'm not the most intelligent beast on the block.  But, I am playful, sweet, and my mama thinks I'm pretty.  My eyes are hazel, but I have a little bit of greyish-blue mixed into one.  Kinda suits me since I'm one mixed-up mutt.

  

 Hi, I'm Sally.  I'm a little bigger and taller than my sister.  I am stronger physically, and I have a more confidant personality too.  I know how to shake hands and sit.  I don't try to break into the house the way Dolly does (by busting open the screen door), but when the door opens, I think that means you must be inviting me in.  My mama thinks I look like a deep thinker because my brow always furrows.  My favorite things to do are to get treats, eat, wrestle, and show Dolly that I'm the boss.

 

We are the best of friends.  We like to go for walks, sun ourselves, nap, sleep, eat, wrestle, and tear up things.  Yes, we have a problem with chewing up things we shouldn't.  Anything with stuffing or that rips easily, we destroy.  Like collars.  We prefer not to wear collars, so we chew them off of each other.  

 Our human mama likes to call us the Destructive Duo.  Pillows have been destroyed. Also, four different blankets, Grand Dad's coat, our human brother's Avengers t-shirt, some random pieces of wood, a broom, and a leather love seat.  We are given bones, rawhides, and chew toys all the time.  They don't last.  They are no match for our chewing prowess.  We don't try to hide from our destructiveness.  We embrace it by, you know, laying smack down in the middle of the destruction.

 

Sometimes, we regret destroying things.  Our human parents are so nice.  They've given us lots of things to sleep on.  We've destroyed all of them.  But, when it's time to lay down, take a nap, and go to sleep, we use what's left.

Sometimes, we get to go inside.  We are so excited that we can't calm down.  We circle and circle around the house - to the kitchen, the dining room, the living rooms - and around again.  We have to be supervised because there are new things to chew inside...like rugs.  And, we like to eat the cats' food and poop.  Yep, we stick our heads inside the litter trays and eat cat poop.  This is usually the time we get kicked out of the house again.  That's okay.  We've got two big yards to run and play in.  We're a happy duo. 

We'd love to meet other canines that are as special and as loved as we are.  Join my mama's link-up, so we can hear about other crazy canines in bloggerland.

 And, if kitties are your thang, Sally and Dolly are letting their kitty brothers and kitty sister join in the fun - tune in next week - linking up April 17th

Enough about them.....

An InLinkz Link-up

Fur Kids and Families Unite: Link Up Announcement

Recently, I read a post about Eddie at foodboozeandbaggage, and I thought it was all kinds of sweet.  I told Mariah that I was going to plan a link-up of my own (giving her credit, of course).

This is NOT a sponsored post; I just love the stuff from animalhearted.com and thought I'd share

Then, the doubts crept in and my inner voice started talking.  "You've never done a link-up.  Will anyone participate?  Of course, no one will participate you big dumby because you have very few followers.  And speaking of dumb, you won't be able to figure out how to post a link-up.  That involves coding and crap."  My inner voice is not always kind. 

Screw you, inner voice.  I love my fur babies.  I know other bloggers that love their fur kids too.  I'm going to do this.  Or try, at least.

 We are going to link-up and "Meet the Canines" on Thursday, the 9th of April.

We're going to link-up and "Meet the Felines" a week later, Thursday, the 16th of April.

Are you a proud pet parent?  Are your fur babies an extension of your family?  Is your home not complete without the pitter patter of furry feet?  This link-up is for you!  Join me in sharing with others the joys of being a pet parent.

 Let's "Meet the Canines" and "Meet the Felines"!  Tell us anything and everything that you want to share about that special relationship you have with your fur kid(s).  Share pictures, stories, or allow your furry friend to run your blog for a day; however/whatever you want to share.  I encourage you to read about all the others featured in our link-up and enjoy their stories.

(Please participate.  Don't let me be that girl who invites everyone to her party and no one shows up.)

Thoughts # 9 - Fur Babies

It's been awhile.  Sorry about that.  I admit it - I'm horrible about keeping up with this blog.  When I blog, I like it.  When I don't, I intend to write something.  Oh well.  Have patience with me.

You know those friends that you had in high school that you reconnect with on social media by realizing that you have some shared interests now that you are both adults?  I've been fortunate enough to reconnect with a few of these people.  With one of those re-connections, we share special bonds with our animals aka pets aka fur babies.  We like to post pictures and cute little updates about our animal family members.  She and I mutually "like" and/or comment on these posts encouraging each other's animal love.  She lives in Oregon; I live in Australia, but I feel like I've seen a glimmer of her pets' personalities from her posts.

I had a very special bond with one particular pet of mine, and I left him behind when I moved to Australia.  I still have moments when I cry over this, hurt, feel a void.  It's been five and a half years. 

Sadly, my aforementioned friend lost one of her fur babies in a tragic accident this weekend.  My heart just aches for her and her family.  Some people are able to develop very special bonds with their animal family members; some people don't.  I understand the loss she feels and the heartache.  RIP Carlos.

So, for those of you that have special members of your family from the animal kingdom - hug them a little tighter tonight in honor of my friend, her family, and Carlos.  

Our little purr puss IVY

Our mischievous boy RICKY

Our somewhat timid, not too smart, but oh-so-sweet DOLLY

Our super affectionate mama's boy ASTRO

Our strong and beautiful SALLY