The day is finally here.....

The last month as been so emotional.  We have been stalking rescue websites for the last couple of months, but within the last month, we have actually been going to see dogs.

We knew we wanted a pup that is totally different looking than Esa or Zed - even though we are partial to huskies, shepherds, and terriers.  We knew we didn't want a golden retriever, a pitbull, or Australian shepherd.  We just waited to see what came to us.  We knew when we saw the pup, we would know.

It all started with me seeing a puppy online at Wolf Trap Animal Rescue.  I felt the same way I felt when I saw the picture of Esa.  I had sent in an application on a Monday and followed up with an e-mail to see what the next step would be (if we would be able to meet her or the next step in the adoption process).  I got an e-mail back saying that she would be at the public adoption which is first come, first serve and suggested that we get there by 9 am (on the website, it says 11 am, adoptions start at 12 noon).  So, Saturday, we headed out to Tyson's Corner and got there right at 9 am.

We were 3rd on the list, and then when we were asked what puppy, we were once again, 3rd on the list for the same pup.  We waiting and waited - along with tears from me.  We asked about the process.  Basically they just look over the application, and you get the pup - no what is best for the pup, who would give it the best home.  So of course she was taken by the first person (who got there at like 7 am when the store opened).

The next day, we went to Petsmart in Casacdes to visit Lost Dog rescue.  I needed to it get over the previous day's emotional rollercoaster.  We did see one dog that was really nice, but he was getting over a surgery on his leg.  But, not the dog calling to us.  None of the dogs (except one) that we were looking at on the website were there.  There was one dog that I was interested in looking at was there.  He was nice, but not the one.

The next weekend we went to Homeward Trails.  Had a couple of dogs in mind that we saw on the website.  They have a lot of dogs that are from the meat trade circle.  There was one dog that we really liked.  We walked away to think about it, and she was adopted.

During this whole time, I have been following Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue on Facebook.  It's a new rescue, and the dogs have been pulled from Texas and Florida high kill shelters.  A lot of them have medical issues, but there were several dogs we were interested in visiting (you could not visit until you have submitted an application).  So the next Tuesday, I was planning on sending in the application.  Low and behold, one of the rescues had puppies that were a surprise - and when would they be 8 weeks - a week after my birthday.  I went ahead and submitted an app.

We also had been looking at Friends of Homeless Animals.  They are also a rescue that you have to submit the application before visiting the first time.  The next Sunday, (the 5th) we went there with our list of dogs who we wanted to see.  Several of them were immediately taken off because the group was afraid that the dog would jump our 4 foot fence.  We walked around and got a couple of different dogs that we decided to look at.  The first dog we looked at (that wasn't on our original list) was Bobby.  Our first dog on our list, Quincy, was out on a walk when we asked to see him.  Bobby was FULL of energy.  We played "fetch" (or at least throw the ball) with him.  He wouldn't drop the ball at all.  Liked him, but a little too much energy.

We then saw Quincy.  He was great on the leash and was a little playful on the walk (a little bit of the zooms), then we went into a play area.  He was just kind of walking around in the play area, but played with us and a toy.  We really liked him for decided to ask about the next steps.

We sat down and had our interview and then decided to think about it overnight because we had an appointment for a house visit from Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue.  So I wanted to wait and see what happened with that visit.  We (or should I say I) didn't know if we wanted a puppy or something a little older.

So after thinking about the pros and cons of a puppy vs. an older dog and then the pros and cons of getting a shar pei, we decided to go with Quincy!


Thursday night, we had our house visit and today, he is HOME.

Fostering - Round 2!

So last Friday, I got a message from the front desk at the shelter to see if we were interested in fostering again.  

Originally, we talked about taking 2 sick kittens or maybe a dog that just needed to get out of the shelter for awhile.  We decided against the dog.  Dan and I aren't quite read for it, but are good at fosterin the kittens.  I called and found out that the sick kittens were taken, but then another sick kitten came in so we now have him.

He has grown so much within the last week and is doing so much better.  He might be about 7 weeks now.. He is still learning.  The first night we had issues trying to get him to eat and he definitely didn't know how to use the litterbox.  He now knows to go to the litterbox, but not cover it.  He's all over the food - wet and dry.  He still doesn't know how to use the scratchpad.

Last Monday I took him in to see the vet and they did a worm culture. He has a bald spot on his ear and I guess that is a sign of worms.  So are waiting on that before he can go back. 

International Vacation!

So this is the first year we have come to Canada without puppies in FOREVER.  It's been 3 years since we last came here, when Esa was still with us.  After that, we didn't want to come/needed to start some new memories first.

Today is day 13 of our vacation.  This year has been different because we have INTERNET!  Needless to say, I haven't gotten as many books read as I usually (like 1 because I need to give it back to someone), but I have gotten a lot of organizing done for the business that I have been putting off.  Just those little things that I haven't had time to get around to do AND now, I'm blogging.

I miss blogging.  I hate to say it, but I don't remember the little details like I use to and with blogging, I can get them all down.

So, day 13 and what have we done.  I have continued to walk 4 miles a day (except 2 days including today) and Dan has gone with me.  The first couple of days, we walked from the cottage and up the roads around here.  And I say UP the roads because they are HILLS!  Like crazy hills.  Definitely got my workout in on those!  The last couple of days, we have gone to the Trans Canada trail (which is flat) and did geocaching.

We haven't gone geocaching in forever and I definitely still enjoy it - I think Dan does too.  The great thing about geocaching up here is that people have usually heard of it so when you say you are geocaching, they ask about it or are open to you explaining it.  We've met quiet a few people on the trail along with their dogs - which by the way, most are off leash.

We saw some stuff while geocaching that we wouldn't see at home (in the wild) - a snapper hatchling and bear prints.  Both on separate days.

We lost a mudflap one day while parking to go geocaching.  Dan kind of pulled into a ditch then backed out of it and caught the mudflap.  Luckily all of the screws stayed with it so he was able to secure it back on when we got home.

Pictures will need to uploaded later on here since the connection is kind of slow with the hotspot.

We had dinner at a great restaurant in Peterborough - Ricky's; went to a Peterborough Petes exhibition game; had an anniversary dinner at Bercs Steakhouse (a tradition when we are here).

The cottage has changed a little since we we last up here - the bathroom has been painted, the washer was moved, there has been a lot of geese this year.  Neither of us remember there being so many geese.

And mice - the first night, we found a dead mouse in the pantry/food shelves, and Dan's cousin said they found quite a few when they were here in July.  We also have a black squirrel that visits.  He came right up on the deck towards me when I was sitting in the lounge one day and scared the shit out of me.  The next day, he came behind me and I heard him so it didn't scare me, but I think I scared him.