Meet Bella!

For about the last 6 months, JJ and I have been discussing the possibility of getting another dog. We got Barney as a puppy from a breeder and have had nothing but happiness ever since. As much fun (and work) as getting a puppy is, I have always had a soft spot in my heart for rescue dogs. All of our dogs growing up were rescue dogs. They deserved a second chance at a good life and they all turned out to be wonderful, loving pups.

I have been periodically checking rescue websites for yellow labs and golden retrievers because we thought they would be a good fit with Barney. With rescue dogs you can't be picky, you just have to be open to whichever one melts your heart. But if I could have picked out the perfect rescue dog, I would have asked for a female golden or yellow lab, around 2 years old with a sweet and submissive disposition. And we had already picked out the name Bella, if we could rename the dog.

Wouldn't you know, on the 2nd anniversary of getting Barney my mom called me to tell me about a pup in need of a new home. A sweet little 2 year old female golden retriever...named Bella...was being put up for adoption. It was a sign. This little girl was meant for us :)

She and Barney get along so well and they play non-stop. Both of them are so submissive, we haven't had any problems with aggression yet. Although, Barney is not thrilled about having to share his toys. There is one bone in particular that he refuses to share. Every time she picks it up he walks over and takes it right out of her mouth. I haven't seen it in a day or so...I'm wondering if he hid it like that dog in the Travelers Insurance commercial.

Barney is still getting used to sharing all the attention, but I think its going well so far. After wearing each other out playing all day, they are both curled up in their spots next to our bed. Hopefully this means another good night's sleep for everyone.

Nature

Today, like most days, I took Barney for a walk through our neighborhood. But this wasn't like most days. Something funky was going on in the animal kingdom.

Barney loves trying to chase the squirrels but never gets close enough because he's always on a leash. Most of the time, the squirrels either stop in their tracks when they see him or turn around and run the other way up a tree or fence. One of the squirrels we encountered today was a little more ballsy. Instead of running away when Barney lunged at him, he ran towards us. He sprinted towards us. As if his life depended on it.

Upon seeing this I panicked. Heart started racing, mind started spinning. All I could think about was the thought of this squirrel attacking me. No, not logical at all. But when a crazed rodent runs right at you, what else are you supposed to think?

So here I am. Dog on a leash. Squirrel running at me. I jump as high as I have ever jumped before to get out of the path of psycho squirrel and as soon as I safely land on the ground I have to jump again because now I have psycho golden retriever running between my legs to try to get his rodent nemesis. I don't know how, but I did not end up on my face or with a broken ankle. I was able to regain control of the dog and get the heck out of there before our furry friend reappeared.

Ten minutes later, my heart rate back to normal, I turn the corner to start heading home. In the middle of the street is the largest bird/hawk/velociraptor I have ever seen outside of a zoo. It seriously looked at least a hundred pounds. Definitely bigger than Barney. Of course my dog tries to lunge towards it, which only makes the beast angry. It spreads its wings and puffs out its chest and I am frozen in place. It is still about 20 feet away, but that is too close for comfort for someone who panics when pigeons even look like they might be heading her way.

So here I am frozen mid-stride, holding on to the dog and waiting to see what this beast is going to do next. After about a 30 second stand off, a car drives around the corner and startles the bird. It takes flight. I dive for cover. Barney tries to go after it.

When I looked up again it has perched on the roof of the house across the street from where I am standing and it remains there with its wings outstretched, trying to intimidate us. Well, it worked. I couldn't get out of there fast enough and happily returned to the safety of our house.

I can't decide if I am willing to risk the chance of more animal encounters of the freakish kind for tomorrow. Sorry Barney, mommy can only handle so much.

Cutest Dog in the World

Not to brag or anything, but we have the most adorable dog ever. And I have the evidence to prove it. Just take a look...

Just another walk in the park

Afternoon nap on the couch

Catching up on "The Dog Whisperer", his favorite show

Circus dog begging for food

Nap time for both my boys

Couldn't quite make it all the way up on the bed

Don't worry, there will be plenty more photo opportunities coming up.

Return of the Barnacle

Finally! We have our puppy in Charlotte with us!

Rick and JJ's aunt Kathy drove him out and arrived on Tuesday. Barney is now a very well traveled pup. After leaving Phoenix with Rick, they stopped in Santa Fe, NM to pick up Kathy and then headed to Amarillo, TX. They also made stops in Little Rock, AR and Nashville, TN before arriving at our house in Charrlotte. Quite a road trip for the little guy! I hope he gets used to it because we might be doing that same cross country drive twice a year for the next few years.

We told Rick to let Barney go straight to the back yard when they arrived, knowing that he often pees out of excitement. Well, unfortunately that plan failed and he ended up rolling over onto his back and peeing all over JJ. Luckily for me, I was a few seconds behind JJ and missed Barney's house warming gift.

Barney is settling in nicely to his new environment, and enjoying the neighborhoods trails with me. Today on our walk I discovered Barney is terrified of upsidedown wheel barrows, fake tombstone Halloween decorations, and lawn mowers. OK, so maybe he isn't totally comfortable with his new surroundings, but at least he looks happy in the picture!

In addition to walks, Barney has enjoyed several naps. JJ has also decided to join in on some of these naps.

Barney made friends with the dog across the street. She is a a little Puganese (Pug mixed with a Pekingese) who thinks that Barney is the best thing ever. She originally ran over to check out Barney and they raced back forth on opposite side of the fence and then her owner asked if we could put her in the yard with Barney. It is hilarious to see them play because she is no more than 12 pounds and Barney is about 80. He could eat her for a snack, but he just loves her and is so gentle playing with her. Precious!

I am so happy to have both of my boys here!