Name: Madden
Birthdate: May 26, 2010
Adopted date: August 2010
Nicknames: Mad, Maddie, Madders, Mad Hatter, Princess, Monster, Monster-mutt
Her story: Madden is the only pet that I've ever "purchased." I saw an ad for her on Craigslist (I know... I know...) and couldn't resist. She was this tiny little thing, had already had her age-appropriate rounds of shots, and she looked perfect. She'd had a home lined up, but the people had backed out for some reason. I immediately sent an email, asking if she could be held until my next pay day a few days later, and committed to finally having a dog. Best fifty dollars I've ever spent in my life.
Madden can usually be found curled up somewhere under blankets. She's spoiled rotten (I will 100% take ownership of that), and is admittedly my favorite. My first dog I've ever owned (aside from a family dog we had when I was a kid who I have very vague memories of), and she's absolutely my little princess. She definitely knows that she's the favorite, and bosses the other animals around accordingly. She weighs a whopping seven and a half pounds, so once the kittens are fully grown she will probably reclaim her spot as the tiniest animal in the house - but she's still in charge.
She likes to remind me of that one time she broke her leg when she was a puppy. She'll lift her leg up and look sad as if to say "mommy, remember that time I hurt my leg seven years ago? It still hurts mommy, I swear... so please stop yelling at me." And I fall for it. Every single time.
She likes to remind me of that one time she broke her leg when she was a puppy. She'll lift her leg up and look sad as if to say "mommy, remember that time I hurt my leg seven years ago? It still hurts mommy, I swear... so please stop yelling at me." And I fall for it. Every single time.
Gender: male
Birthdate: sometime in 2005, if my calculations are correct
Adopted date: early 2011
Breed: Jack Russell/Pug
Nicknames: Champers, Bub, Bubba, Bubbles, Bubbers, Old Man
His story: Champ was already an adult when he came to live with me in the Spring of 2011, and I never really wanted him in the first place. A friend had adopted him from a shelter when he was a year or so old, but after he had bit her young nephew, he had gone to live with one of her adult family members who didn't have kids around. At some point, years later, I guess they decided that they no longer wanted him (I believe the story was "we got new furniture"), so he ended up back with my friend. By this time, said friend had a young kid of her own and really couldn't risk that he would bite him. She asked if I could take him until we could find a forever home for him. I tried to find him a forever home - I really did - but I was always honest about his past. When a few months went by, and no one showed any interest, I realized that I was done trying - he was staying with me, and the dog I never wanted had worked his way into my heart. He was home.
Champ does have some issues with aggression toward other dogs, but when properly introduced, he's amazing. I think he's just overly protective of me and of his pack, and I really can't fault him for that. I love that he'd attack something that was trying to hurt me or his family. As far as aggression with kids, he lets my niece (who was fairly little at the time) climb all over him, and has never bared his teeth. I did, however, witness him give warning bites to two kids before - who were both warned not to grab a him the way they were. I mean, I can't fault the dog - I'd bite the kids who were being bad, too.
Gender: male
Birthdate: sometime in 2010
Adopted date: October 2017
Breed: Shih Tzu/Bichon Frise/Jack Russell/and I believe pug may be the unknown fourth breed
Nicknames: Tuck, Tucky, Tuckles, Tuckle-me-Elmo, Muppet, Sprocket, Tuckered-Out
His Story: A friend had posted a picture of this goofy-looking dog (who actually sort of reminded me of my Champ) that needed a home. He belonged to a friend of hers, and I'm still not 100% sure what her reason for re-homing was, but if he didn't find a home soon, he was going to a shelter. I debated for a few days whether I wanted to offer to take him (my original thought was to find him a home so he didn't end up in a shelter - just to prolong his time in a home a bit more - funny how I think things like that, right?). After thinking about it for a while - and my friend posting him a second time - we agreed that she would bring him over so I could meet him and see if he might be a good fit for my home. I wasn't sure at first - since Champ doesn't care for other dogs, and here came this unaltered male dog - but after a walk around the neighborhood with the boys, I knew I could work with Champ to accept Tucker.
Tucker is my energetic, playful, silly dog. He loves to play with toys, chase the laser pointer (until he realizes it's in my hand, and then he tries to bite it out of my hand), and play with the cats. He has an enormous, silly, fun personality. I quickly realized that he, too, was here to stay. He was somehow the missing piece to the dog puzzle that I didn't even realize was missing - it's always funny how that happens when a new pet comes along.
Tucker is my energetic, playful, silly dog. He loves to play with toys, chase the laser pointer (until he realizes it's in my hand, and then he tries to bite it out of my hand), and play with the cats. He has an enormous, silly, fun personality. I quickly realized that he, too, was here to stay. He was somehow the missing piece to the dog puzzle that I didn't even realize was missing - it's always funny how that happens when a new pet comes along.
Great photos and stories! Thanks. I bought my first dog, too, and like you, he was the first dog I had as an adult. It really is amazing how we build our animal families! Tucker probably shares some traits with Scout, since they're both part Shih Tzu and Bichons/Havanese are closely related. But, as they like to constantly show us, they are ALL very unique and marvelous individuals!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes feel guilty about "buying" Madden, but it was really just like I was reimbursing the people for her shots they'd already had done for her, so I try not to beat myself up too much about it. I'm all about rescuing - especially random animals that have nowhere to go for whatever crazy reason.
DeleteMy dream dog is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but I WON'T buy one - so I'm hoping one randomly comes into my life accidentally. ;)
I had some feelings of guilt, too, after I bought the dog. Some of my friends really scolded me - and I also believe in rescuing, but something about THIS dog spoke directly to my heart, and boy, did I love him. He lived to be 16 years old, which is pretty darn good, but as always, it wasn't long enough for Mom!
DeleteI used to volunteer at our local animal shelter, walking dogs, so I would spot all the NEW dogs as they came in. I adopted a couple that way, too, and we DID see a few Cavs, but they were never there very long. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you find one who has been waiting just for you!