The other day we decided to take Gabriel to the beach. The weather has been so unseasonably warm for this time of the year we figured why not enjoy it cause who knows there could be that unexpected snowstorm right around the corner. So we all got into the car and away we went. Gabriel LOVES to ride in the car .... he got the hang of it right from the get-go ... he makes himself comfortable in the backseat right in between the girls and once we get rolling he strategically maneuvers his way over to the window and waits until we roll down the window for him to stick his face out. He rides along with the wind in his face ... he eyes are squinted and you can tell he is just lovin every minute of it! On this particular day as we were driving and he had his face out the window out of nowhere Kaitlyn blurts out "Look at Gabriel ... he is living the dream" .. Scott and I just looked at each other and started laughing ... but then I started thinking about what Kaitlyn said and suddenly I felt alittle sad ... sad for all those unwanted dogs and cats ... sad for the ones that people abandon just because they "don't want them anymore" :o( I guess some people just don't realize that these are living, breathing, creatures who rely on US to take care of them. Why would you buy a puppy or kitten and then just decide hmmm you know what this is too much work see ya???
When I think of Gabriel sleeping on his nice warm blankets (I have tried buying him those nice comfy dog beds but he just ends up tearing them to shreds), eating his specially made omelets (I know I am nuts most people DO NOT make their dogs omelets LOL), running around his yard happy as can be collecting sticks, being constantly petted and hugged and kissed ... I guess Kaitlyn IS right ... he really is "living the dream" (in a dog's world LOL)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
I'm a "crazy dog person" .... and I know it!
It's ok I don't mind ...
I talk to my dog like he is person and I could swear he understands my every word....
When I come home from work I will greet him before my husband LOL ....
I have several nicknames for him .... Gabes, GabriAlice, "Little Bluebird", Buddy and my favorite "Giblets" ....
I like to have my quiet time with just him and if I could just sit and pet him for hours that would be ok with me :o) .....
At least 4 out of 7 days week I make him a cheese omelet for breakfast ...
I love that he loves me unconditionally ...
I love that I can yell at him or tell him NO and he never holds a grudge ...
I love that he is so big but he still gets scared and will come running to my side so I can protect him ...
If I could I would have a houseful of Mastiffs ... I don't mind the drool or the fur, etc ... when Brittany died I felt such a void in my house and my heart ... now Gabriel is here and though he will never replace her he has filled that void ... he keeps me on my toes and he has knocked me off my feet on several occasions but that's ok. He gets carried away and forgets that he weighs well over 150lbs (that is 'guestimate' but we will find out the true weight at our next vet appt) but still tries to sit on my lap :o) I know most people can't understand how I can let such a "big messy dog" live in my house but most of those people are not true "dog lovers" because when you are a true dog lover you can look past all those little inconveniences and realize that benefits of owning a dog far outweigh the negatives.
I treat my dog not as a pet but as part of my family.
I remember my good friend Maxine once told me when she dies she wants to come back as my dog LOL ... that was one of the nicest compliments anyone ever gave me :o)
I talk to my dog like he is person and I could swear he understands my every word....
When I come home from work I will greet him before my husband LOL ....
I have several nicknames for him .... Gabes, GabriAlice, "Little Bluebird", Buddy and my favorite "Giblets" ....
I like to have my quiet time with just him and if I could just sit and pet him for hours that would be ok with me :o) .....
At least 4 out of 7 days week I make him a cheese omelet for breakfast ...
I love that he loves me unconditionally ...
I love that I can yell at him or tell him NO and he never holds a grudge ...
I love that he is so big but he still gets scared and will come running to my side so I can protect him ...
If I could I would have a houseful of Mastiffs ... I don't mind the drool or the fur, etc ... when Brittany died I felt such a void in my house and my heart ... now Gabriel is here and though he will never replace her he has filled that void ... he keeps me on my toes and he has knocked me off my feet on several occasions but that's ok. He gets carried away and forgets that he weighs well over 150lbs (that is 'guestimate' but we will find out the true weight at our next vet appt) but still tries to sit on my lap :o) I know most people can't understand how I can let such a "big messy dog" live in my house but most of those people are not true "dog lovers" because when you are a true dog lover you can look past all those little inconveniences and realize that benefits of owning a dog far outweigh the negatives.
I treat my dog not as a pet but as part of my family.
I remember my good friend Maxine once told me when she dies she wants to come back as my dog LOL ... that was one of the nicest compliments anyone ever gave me :o)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Came across the letter
We always new we wanted to get another puppy after we lost Brittany. I really thought I would need to get one ASAP after she died because I didn't think I could stand not having a dog in the house ... but when she died I just couldn't bring myself to "replace" her that quickly. So we decided to wait and take maybe a year or so "off" from having a dog ... we needed a little break after having Brittany for 10 years plus I just thought it would be disrepectful to her memory and I really needed that time to just grieve for her ... afterall she was my best pal and I still miss her terribly :o(
We lost Brittany in February of 2010 .... we found out there were pups on the way in late September so we decided that we would like to take one from the upcoming litter. So when the little pups (well as little as a mastiff pup can be LOL) were born we were so excited but we didn't tell the girls ... they knew we were planning to get another dog but they didn't know the puppies had actually been born. We wanted to surprise them at Christmas but the way things worked out Gabriel was not ready to join us until early January. So I decided that even though he was not physically with us on Christmas we would still give him to the girls as part of their "gifts". We let them finish opening all there wrapped presents and then I brought out the envelope. As I handed it to Heather I had to turn my head because I was already tearing up (I know I am a sap LOL) When she opened the envelope and saw the picture both her and Kaitlyn's mouths dropped ... I don't think they really "got it" but then we told Heather to read the letter out loud:
Hi Heather and Kaitlyn.
My name is Gabriel and I am your new puppy! I know you have been waiting a long time for me and I wish I could have been under your tree on Christmas morning but I am still too little and I have to stay with my dog family alittle while longer.
Mommy and Daddy have known about me for the past few months but wanted to keep me a surprise. Remember the day Grandma picked you both up from the bus? Well that was the day that Mommy and Daddy came to see my family and decided I was the one that will be coming to live with you. (Of course Daddy has been dying to tell you about me but he knew if he did he would be sharing the dog house with me!)
I am very excited to meet you and here are a few things I thought you should know about me:
When you meet me I will be only 8 weeks old so that means I am still a baby and hopefully I will still be "light" enough for you to hold, however, I may be alittle bit squiggly at times so it might be best for you to sit down while holding me. If you are really lucky I just might snuggle up and fall asleep right in your lap!
If you feel the need to play "dress up" with me, please remember that I am a boy so try to go easy on making me look like too much of a princess.
A word of caution, I might also be a bit on the "nippy" side since I will be testing out my little teeth so if you have any toys (or fingers/toes) you really like you may want to keep them in a safe place away from me since I won't be responsible for my actions.
I will also just be learning that when I need to go to the bathroom I am supposed to do that outside – but be prepared I may not be able to get outside fast enough and there may be some "poop" or "pee" accidents so be careful where you walk – if you do see an "accident" please notify Daddy immediately (notice I said DADDY).
Mommy and Daddy do plan to try to "crate train" me, but there may be times that I am lonesome and I might cry alittle. When that happens you can feel free to join me inside my crate to comfort me, just make sure Daddy doesn't lock you in!
I am going to miss you when you are in school but I promise to meet you at your bus as long as it is not raining or too cold.
I will also try to con you into letting me sleep on your bed – but trust me this is not a very good idea – if you don't believe me please refer to Mommy's blog entry "Brittany's Bed". While having a little pup in your bed is a lot of fun having a 200 lb dog who snores and runs in his sleep in bed with you will lead to many-a-sleepless night.
In my early years I will be quite energetic, even acrobatic at times but always be sure that if I start to get crazy you will need to calm me down so I don't hurt myself or the person standing next to me.
As I start to get alittle older I might start to become somewhat "grumpy" and alittle more "cautious" with strangers but that is to be expected. This will most likely happen around the time you start to bring home your first boyfriends. I will be there to "screen" every boy that walks through the door and will be especially ready to welcome those who try to sneak in through windows. I believe it will be around that time that Daddy finally realizes having another dog my size come to live with you was actually a great idea afterall (despite a few inconveniences – chewed shoes, slobber, furballs and a few dead shrubs). He will then turn to Mommy and beg for her forgiveness for ever doubting that when it comes to knowing what dog is right for our family MOMMY KNOWS BEST!
I will be your best friend and protector. I will love you unconditionally and I will ALWAYS be happy to see you. I will be there for you through thick and thin and all I ask in return is for your love and affection (and maybe a bone or two and I have a feeling I am going to love icecream and probably pizza). So enjoy your Christmas and your time off from school and I will see you on January 8 when you come to pick me up!
One more thing, I will try my best to control my slobbering and snoring (but no promises as slobbering and snoring are part of my charm afterall).
Love, Gabriel
When she was done there was not a dry eye in the house ... except for Scott who thought we were and still are NUTS LOL!
We lost Brittany in February of 2010 .... we found out there were pups on the way in late September so we decided that we would like to take one from the upcoming litter. So when the little pups (well as little as a mastiff pup can be LOL) were born we were so excited but we didn't tell the girls ... they knew we were planning to get another dog but they didn't know the puppies had actually been born. We wanted to surprise them at Christmas but the way things worked out Gabriel was not ready to join us until early January. So I decided that even though he was not physically with us on Christmas we would still give him to the girls as part of their "gifts". We let them finish opening all there wrapped presents and then I brought out the envelope. As I handed it to Heather I had to turn my head because I was already tearing up (I know I am a sap LOL) When she opened the envelope and saw the picture both her and Kaitlyn's mouths dropped ... I don't think they really "got it" but then we told Heather to read the letter out loud:
Hi Heather and Kaitlyn.
My name is Gabriel and I am your new puppy! I know you have been waiting a long time for me and I wish I could have been under your tree on Christmas morning but I am still too little and I have to stay with my dog family alittle while longer.
Mommy and Daddy have known about me for the past few months but wanted to keep me a surprise. Remember the day Grandma picked you both up from the bus? Well that was the day that Mommy and Daddy came to see my family and decided I was the one that will be coming to live with you. (Of course Daddy has been dying to tell you about me but he knew if he did he would be sharing the dog house with me!)
I am very excited to meet you and here are a few things I thought you should know about me:
When you meet me I will be only 8 weeks old so that means I am still a baby and hopefully I will still be "light" enough for you to hold, however, I may be alittle bit squiggly at times so it might be best for you to sit down while holding me. If you are really lucky I just might snuggle up and fall asleep right in your lap!
If you feel the need to play "dress up" with me, please remember that I am a boy so try to go easy on making me look like too much of a princess.
A word of caution, I might also be a bit on the "nippy" side since I will be testing out my little teeth so if you have any toys (or fingers/toes) you really like you may want to keep them in a safe place away from me since I won't be responsible for my actions.
I will also just be learning that when I need to go to the bathroom I am supposed to do that outside – but be prepared I may not be able to get outside fast enough and there may be some "poop" or "pee" accidents so be careful where you walk – if you do see an "accident" please notify Daddy immediately (notice I said DADDY).
Mommy and Daddy do plan to try to "crate train" me, but there may be times that I am lonesome and I might cry alittle. When that happens you can feel free to join me inside my crate to comfort me, just make sure Daddy doesn't lock you in!
I am going to miss you when you are in school but I promise to meet you at your bus as long as it is not raining or too cold.
I will also try to con you into letting me sleep on your bed – but trust me this is not a very good idea – if you don't believe me please refer to Mommy's blog entry "Brittany's Bed". While having a little pup in your bed is a lot of fun having a 200 lb dog who snores and runs in his sleep in bed with you will lead to many-a-sleepless night.
In my early years I will be quite energetic, even acrobatic at times but always be sure that if I start to get crazy you will need to calm me down so I don't hurt myself or the person standing next to me.
As I start to get alittle older I might start to become somewhat "grumpy" and alittle more "cautious" with strangers but that is to be expected. This will most likely happen around the time you start to bring home your first boyfriends. I will be there to "screen" every boy that walks through the door and will be especially ready to welcome those who try to sneak in through windows. I believe it will be around that time that Daddy finally realizes having another dog my size come to live with you was actually a great idea afterall (despite a few inconveniences – chewed shoes, slobber, furballs and a few dead shrubs). He will then turn to Mommy and beg for her forgiveness for ever doubting that when it comes to knowing what dog is right for our family MOMMY KNOWS BEST!
I will be your best friend and protector. I will love you unconditionally and I will ALWAYS be happy to see you. I will be there for you through thick and thin and all I ask in return is for your love and affection (and maybe a bone or two and I have a feeling I am going to love icecream and probably pizza). So enjoy your Christmas and your time off from school and I will see you on January 8 when you come to pick me up!
One more thing, I will try my best to control my slobbering and snoring (but no promises as slobbering and snoring are part of my charm afterall).
Love, Gabriel
When she was done there was not a dry eye in the house ... except for Scott who thought we were and still are NUTS LOL!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
To show or not show
THAT is the question ... the question I keep asking myself because THAT question raises another question .... to neuter or not neuter.
When we first decided to get another Mastiff I was pretty determined that this time around I was going to at least try to show him. When we first brought Gabriel home he was so darn cute and I could just picture myself running around the ring with this really handsome well-behaved dog and we would collect all our Best of Breed ribbons and next thing you know we would be at Westminster bringing down the house LOL .... climbing out of our limo the next morning while a crowd of adoring fans waits to see us on Good Morning America or whatever show it is that the Westminster winner goes on. But now I don't know if that will be happening anytime soon .... while he is still extremely handsome (ok I know I am nut but he really is a good looking boy) we have some work to do on the "well-behaved" part. I do know part of the problem is that I don't have as much time to work with him as I had hoped. And he does listen problem is he is now nearing 14 months which I believe to a dog means he is full-blown puberty. And you all know how that story goes LOL. I am not sure what he is thinking half the time he is good boy other times he thinks I am a potential"girlfriend" which he feels the need to "hug me" (like Heather and Kaitlyn would say LOL) I just get worried that if I get him in the ring that he might also find other potential friends that he feels the need to "hug" or he might try to "hug" me right there and how embarassing would that be LOL! So I think for now we are better off sitting out the next few shows and just go to cheer on our other Mastiff friends :o)
So anyway this also has me wondering if I should really start to think about possibly having him "fixed" ... if I am going to show him he has to be "intact" ... but like I said I am not sure now what route we are going to go so I am kind of starting to think about the other option because I am hoping that may calm him down a bit though I know alot of what I am reading tells me that it does not always calm them down. Plus the fact that Scott is completely again this. Why? I have no idea I mean it is not like I am asking him to go get neutered LOL! He keeps telling me he has finally "grown into his balls" and he will not allow me to have them cut off - he says "over his dead body will that dog get neutered" and I say "don't tempt me" LOL!
When we first decided to get another Mastiff I was pretty determined that this time around I was going to at least try to show him. When we first brought Gabriel home he was so darn cute and I could just picture myself running around the ring with this really handsome well-behaved dog and we would collect all our Best of Breed ribbons and next thing you know we would be at Westminster bringing down the house LOL .... climbing out of our limo the next morning while a crowd of adoring fans waits to see us on Good Morning America or whatever show it is that the Westminster winner goes on. But now I don't know if that will be happening anytime soon .... while he is still extremely handsome (ok I know I am nut but he really is a good looking boy) we have some work to do on the "well-behaved" part. I do know part of the problem is that I don't have as much time to work with him as I had hoped. And he does listen problem is he is now nearing 14 months which I believe to a dog means he is full-blown puberty. And you all know how that story goes LOL. I am not sure what he is thinking half the time he is good boy other times he thinks I am a potential"girlfriend" which he feels the need to "hug me" (like Heather and Kaitlyn would say LOL) I just get worried that if I get him in the ring that he might also find other potential friends that he feels the need to "hug" or he might try to "hug" me right there and how embarassing would that be LOL! So I think for now we are better off sitting out the next few shows and just go to cheer on our other Mastiff friends :o)
So anyway this also has me wondering if I should really start to think about possibly having him "fixed" ... if I am going to show him he has to be "intact" ... but like I said I am not sure now what route we are going to go so I am kind of starting to think about the other option because I am hoping that may calm him down a bit though I know alot of what I am reading tells me that it does not always calm them down. Plus the fact that Scott is completely again this. Why? I have no idea I mean it is not like I am asking him to go get neutered LOL! He keeps telling me he has finally "grown into his balls" and he will not allow me to have them cut off - he says "over his dead body will that dog get neutered" and I say "don't tempt me" LOL!
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