New Dog II

Our adoption attempt with Thor did not work out, but that particular wing of the Nelson County Humane Society is a no-kill shelter so we are sure he will find a happy and cat-free home. After much other looking and thinking, we decided to go ahead and get a puppy. Saoirse is not yet a year old, so if she and the puppy grow up together they will not know any different, right? So we are now the happy owners of a beautiful Golden Retriever, Fergus. We got him from a breeder way out in the country, and the cost was actually less than the adoption fees at many of the rescue societies that we were visiting. The kids love this little guy to death, Tundra is keeping him in line and even allowing Fergus to nap with him and Saoirse, although not yet ready to play with him like he wants, tolerates his presence. Although apprehensive, she is not isolated and afraid like she was with Thor around. We can already see why Goldens are so beloved and considered to be such a perfect dog.

More Pics of the Trip

Valentine Vacation

According to the school calendar, the kids were supposed to have a four day weekend over Valentine's Day. They ended up losing those two days off to make up snow days lost to the ice storm, but we had already paid for a couple of nights at a downtown hotel in Nashville, as well as tickets to see the Predators take on the Boston Bruins. So the kids missed Friday. We spent Friday at Nashville's Adventure Science Center, and it was a great time. The kids got to do just about everything that they had to offer there (which is plenty) including seeing a cool movie about the life cycle of stars which was played on the ceiling of their planetarium. We had a great dinner that night, as well as a good lunch at a BBQ place on Saturday. Saturday morning I ran in a 5k sponsored by the Predators, and while waiting to start I got to meet a few of the Boston Bruins as they were arriving for a morning practice. Their captain, Chara, is 6'9", 260lbs, and shaking his hand is like grabbing a bunch of bananas. The game that night was great - the kids' first pro sporting event. Boston tied it up 2-2 with less than 2 minutes in the game, the 5 min. OT was undecided, and then the Predators pulled it out in a shootout. The kids had a blast and are now fans, so I can take the loss to my Bruins.

New dog, part II

There was not to be a getting to know you period with Thor and Saoirse. The initial avoidance was quickly followed by two days of the dog trying to get the cat when the opportunity showed itself. This was not a playful "lets make friends" kind of chase, he wanted the cat. I stopped by the humane society this morning to ask some advice to see if there was anything we could do differently, and their instant and unanimous advice was to return the dog right away before he killed the cat. He is a very sweet dog, wonderful with the kids and had adjusted quite easily to a crate for bed time and when Carm was at work, but we can't endanger one of our pets to take on a new one. There were many, many tears this morning as I took the dog back, but none from Saoirse who could once again walk around the house and didn't need to be escorted to her food dish and litter box lest she be attacked. The humane society was very apologetic, but they could not have known this aspect of the dog's personality, and this experience will give them more information about placing him with the right family. (The picture is not new, but as you can see, Saoirse is a part of the family)

The Mighty Thor

We have been kicking it around for a while, and finally pulled the trigger on getting another dog. We've been checking rescue sites, the paper, and the humane society for a little bit looking for something in the vicinity of a German Shepherd, or a Labrador or Golden Retriever. Yesterday we walked into the humane society and saw what looks to be all of those wrapped up into one. He is 2 years old and was given up because he was too big (what moron doesn't realize that such a dog is going to get big?). He is very sweet natured and was good around the kids. Today we took Tundra up there to see how they would get along, and came home with him. He had been named Sam, but we have changed that to Thor - a far more fitting and unique name. The only disadvantage is that he had been an outdoor dog, so he is not fully housebroken. Also they had kept him constantly on a chain which is just not good, and by the way he occasionally cowers I think they might have hit him. He will certainly have plenty of love here. Saoirse is not so sure about him yet, but I believe they will come to an understanding soon.

The Ice Storm Cometh

I would like to say that we are out of the woods, but the kids were still out of school today. This is now 8 school days in a row that they have missed. Most of the ice is gone, but quite a few people are still without power and one of the county high schools is still being used as a Red Cross shelter so the school system is still shut down. The Catholic schools are supposed to go ahead and get the kids back tomorrow, so we are hopeful. We lost power last Tuesday and were out until Sunday morning. In the interim we stayed with two different friends and then with my mom in Lexington. As you can imagine, we have been very busy at the firehouse as a result. Lots of downed power lines, and fires from people doing anything to stay warm - even if it means burning their house down and killing their children. Crazy times . . . hope things will be somewhat normal again in the near future.