Last Tuesday evening, after weeks of searching, we adopted a 3 year old Brittany Cocker spaniel mixed with some Golden retriever into our family. He was a great little dog, we named him Zeke. But the little guy didn't take to well to the kids. He snapped a few times at little Indie, and we decided he wasn't for us. Great dog if it was just Stacey and I, but the girls come first, obviously. The hard decision, but easy-ish, was made to take him back to the shelter. It happened fast, but it wasn't easy.
So we got back on the internets and started our search again. Stacey and I have wanted a puppy since we were dating. Heck, since we were dating we had decided I would be a stay at home dad. These decisions stick somehow, it's why we're good together.
So on Saturday, we went to the La Brea Tar Pits, where the Super Pet Adoption was going on. We spent 4 hours in the sun, torturing ourselves and our girls looking at dog after dog after dog. It was a true test in marriage, a decision process that wore us down but one we knew we wanted to make.
After hours of searching, walking many dogs and talking to many "dog people" we narrowed down our search to two. They were both great dogs. One, "Norma" (a full poodle), and the other "Goldie". After eating at a food truck and going back into the compound of dogs, our decision was made. "Goldie" was our dog. She was great with the kids, she was calm, a puppy, and beautiful ... and matched our every criteria for a dog. We went to the adoption mom and confessed our love. We wanted THIS dog.
But we had to have a signature from our landlord, saying it was OK to have a dog in our rented home. This seemed like an impossible task. We begged, pleaded, and fought to get her without the signature knowing we wanted to take her home that day. Defeated by the defiant adoption agency we started to head home. We were sad, tired, disappointed. But by the time we had made it from Hollywood to Laurel Canyon on the 101, we had the text from our landlord. "E-mail me the form, I will sign it and fax it back to you." The race was on. We had an hour and a half to get the signature, collect the cash and make it back to the Tar Pits to collect our newest family member.
We made it! Thank goodness for FedEx Kinkos! We filled out the paper work. They rang the bell signifying our puppy was the 100ish puppy adopted that day. We got a new leash, we picked up a few treats and dog food. "Goldie" was ours.
It was exciting. It still is! A new member to our household! We renamed her to "Maggie", as this was more fitting, we felt. And now, she sits at my feet, the most calm, chill, cool puppy I've ever owned. Oh, wait, I've never had a puppy! I didn't grow up with a pet! I'm REALLY excited!!
Plus, we had already purchased a doggie bed, dog food, another leash, dog toys and dog treats. We were ready! And so Maggie is awesome. She loves our girls. No matter how many times they pet her, poke her, step on her, she calmly moves away and licks their faces. She's perfect. Well... she doesn't eat much right now, but that's expected. After a few walks, she's never pooped inside, she's never peed inside and we're all slowly adjusting to this four legged member of our family! The girls love her, she loves the girls, and this little puppy LOOOOOVEEES Stacey. :)
We're excited to start on this adventure of having a dog! Do you have any pets? What was the story of getting your little furry family member? I'd love to hear it. And look forward to more exciting stories as our family grows! What's next? A hamster? A rabbit? Ha! Naw... 4 girls in our family is totally enough for now.
