Where's the Pumpkin Treats?

Mocha turns 6

 

I was sitting here today thinking about Mocha. We always tease that we can't believe he is 6 because he still acts like a puppy. He still counter surfs, he still likes to eat paper (receipts, mail, etc.), he still would run straight out the front door without stopping, he would still grab your dinner off of your plate even if you were sitting right there, he would steal your shoe and most likely chew it up.... but he also would be great around Nathaniel, he would be great to play fetch with, he would snuggle with you at bedtime, he would make you laugh every single day. As most of you know I always try and support local shelters and try to spread the message about how many homeless animals are out there needing homes. The statistics are sad and yet puppy mills still exist as well as bad pet owners. It saddens me how many people don't train their pets properly and then blame the pet or get too busy (which they should have known before getting a pet) or just think, 'It's just a dog or It's just a cat'

 

2 people returned Mocha before we got him. The reason the last owner turned him in was because he was too hyper. SHOCKING! A puppy german shorthaired pointer was hyper?!? Of course he was hyper - he is a hunting dog. It amazes me that people don't do their research. All I know is that he looked like he had a good heart - hyper? YES - but a good dog disposition. Yes, most shelter dogs come with baggage. A lot of people are scared to deal with the baggage. As for me, I can't imagine not giving these animals a second chance. I think an animal with baggage (most likely human caused) deserves to be loved and given a chance to thrive. Does it take a bit of extra work to keep mocha from chewing up a few things here or there (his baggage) - Yes - but would I adopt him again - YES YES YES. That little bit of nuisance is nothing compared to the joy he brings us. And now to see how great he is around Nathaniel, makes him even more dear to my heart.

 

Every animal has something *special* to offer even if its original owners couldn't bring out the *special* in the animal - I am certain someone who cares can! I see this quote quite often and it is so true.

 

"Saving the life of one animal may not change the world, but the world will surely change for that one animal"

 

Happy Birthday Mochachino Bandito! We are so glad we found your *special*

 

 

Dogs and the Beach

We have been back almost 2 weeks now, but me and the dogs are still missing the beach.  Mocha just stares into our willow tree at all of the loud cicadas and Kona barely lasts 10 minutes outside without panting.  It makes me want to take them back to the beach and have that full and free spirited fun again.

I have attached a video of Mocha getting his toy in the ocean.  He would get so excited he'd whine until you threw the toy in the water again.  He would then run and flop in the wave after it.  He wouldn't ever show any slowing either, we basically had to cut him off every day so that he wouldn't hurt himself.  We'd go to our rental and a few hours later we'd take the dogs to the park and he barely could move he was so tired.... but, that didn't phase him, by the next day he was ready to swim swim swim. 

Kona on the other hand does not like to swim, but she runs up and down the beach after the ball until she drops.  She on occasion steals the toy from Mocha as he would run out of the ocean, but drops it pretty quick. 

The dogs least favorite part was getting washed off in the shower afterwards.  Kevin had to basically pick up Kona and put her by the water faucet, she always had so much sand on her belly that she had to get washed off.  ** One memory I have is this dog running up the stairs from the beach to the sidewalk by us and I am panicking thinking this dog is going to run right into traffic.  I could see the owner on the beach and she didn't seem to be panicking at all.  Then I realized her dog just goes straight to the shower and sits in it.  It was the funniest thing.  When the owner got up there she said 'yah' he never goes anywhere else and just loves the shower **  I guess this dog was a TRUE beach dog through and through.

The enjoyment I get from watching the dogs frolic on the beach is just so great - I enjoy it so much I can barely imagine being on a beach w/o them.  It is nice to just watch another living thing just have pure joy in their faces.  These dogs don't care what happened before or after the beach just that they were at the beach, living up every minute of it - truly living in the moment.  When is the last time you enjoyed something that much??

Weekend tidbits

1) Pregnant = No painting :( ..We picked out some paint colors for our dining room and spare rooms YAY!!  The hard part is letting Kevin do the majority of the work. We picked a 'Green/earth friendly' low VOC paint, but we figured we would play it safe and still not have me up there. We are hoping to get to a room a weekend.  I filled in the holes and taped up everything and cut in around door frames, but then I had to leave before it got too fumy.  Is fumy a word? - anyway it is hard for me to not be up there monitoring the work.  I think I'm more of a control freak than I realized ;-) I do feel a little guilty as I sit and enjoy The Masters while he works away.  I do yell highlights on occasion. 

2) I did a small favor for a friend yesterday.  She is one of those single moms that somehow pulls off everything and makes it look super easy.  I think to myself if I can be half the mom she is (even with Kevin's help) I'll be lucky!  She pulls off having a GREAT career, super well-mannered and respectful kids and volunteers for lots of activities with them.  It is amazing what being a great parent can do for your kids well-being!! 

3) Dogs = Humor...  Painting with Mocha around is sort of like watching a kids comedy movie.  You look one way and he has grabbed the tape and run off.  You get the tape back and he has managed to rip the painters tape off the baseboards that you just put down.  You look again and he is licking the Starbucks cup hoping for a taste.  But for me (and Kevin) it is hard to get mad because he just looks so cute with tape stuck to his nose.  Seriously, it is super cute.  Meanwhile, Kona has heard some mystery sound that we can't put our finger on that has kept her paranoid of going outside.  She was so panicked at the back door that she managed to let her self in.  The door handle is one of those long ones, not round, so she managed to paw at it just right to get in.  Poor little girl has been a foot behind me all day looking like a sad mess.  I still have no idea what happened.  

4) Pregnant = No Sushi... Boo! I miss sushi for sure.  I drooled as Kevin enjoyed some tasty looking sushi for dinner on Friday.  I'll say it again... I miss sushi.