...our newest family member
Mishka (meesh-ka)
-apparently it means teddy bear in Russian-
This handsome Golden Retriever joined our family on Monday. He's 5 years old and a big, sweet teddy bear--which is good for this family. We weren't interested in another over-the-top-full-of-energy dog. Don't get me wrong, we loved our other dogs, we just didn't do as well with them as we would've liked.
We weren't actually in the market to get another dog. We kinda figured we'd wait a long time. So it wasn't on our radar. Then my friend Sharon texted and asked if I might be interested in taking her new roommate's dog. Their new landlord would only allow the 6 dogs she already has (I know insane! But she breeds them so she's got lots!) and so they have been hunting for new homes. She advertised him to me as a mellow, trained, 5 year old Golden. I asked if he was for real :)
I brought it up to Mark, not really even sure how I felt about it. He said he'd love to meet the dog just to see. Both of us agreed that if his personality didn't fit what we wanted then we'd say no.
But then we met him and Kale fell in love with him.
And well so did Mark.
Mishka (meesh-ka)
-apparently it means teddy bear in Russian-
This handsome Golden Retriever joined our family on Monday. He's 5 years old and a big, sweet teddy bear--which is good for this family. We weren't interested in another over-the-top-full-of-energy dog. Don't get me wrong, we loved our other dogs, we just didn't do as well with them as we would've liked.We weren't actually in the market to get another dog. We kinda figured we'd wait a long time. So it wasn't on our radar. Then my friend Sharon texted and asked if I might be interested in taking her new roommate's dog. Their new landlord would only allow the 6 dogs she already has (I know insane! But she breeds them so she's got lots!) and so they have been hunting for new homes. She advertised him to me as a mellow, trained, 5 year old Golden. I asked if he was for real :)
I brought it up to Mark, not really even sure how I felt about it. He said he'd love to meet the dog just to see. Both of us agreed that if his personality didn't fit what we wanted then we'd say no.
But then we met him and Kale fell in love with him.
And well so did Mark.
Kale, of course, promised us the moon if we'd get him. "I'll walk him and feed him and brush him and pick up his poop!"
Hmmm...we'll see. I know all 7 year olds who are desperate for a dog aren't the best truth tellers :) So far he's been a huge help and I intend to hold him to his promises.
Kate, on the other hand, asked me the other day why pets can't take care of themselves and why we have to take care of them. I laughed as she was saying this because, of course, she was talking about my life as a mom...I explained to her that they are like children, you have to help feed and take care of them because they're part of the family and you love them.
Mishka is quite big (about 85#). He comes up to Jack's nose and to Kate's shoulders. Needless to say they were a bit terrified of him at first. The last few days, however, we've seen how calm he really is and they are relaxing. He doesn't move when the kids yell and run around. He just follows me around and lays on the floor wherever I am. He's like a really big cat and I'm thankful for that.
We discovered today that he is allergic to the food we got him. So we had to take him to the vet already and now we've got to get him the good food. He's ok though and as soon as the other stuff is out of his system he'll be back to his normal lazy self :)
We're excited to take him hiking with us. Hopefully he'll have energy to do that! Our cat, Obi, is non too thrilled with us but he's gotten used to 2 other dogs. He'll get used to Mishka.
I can't believe we got a dog!
Hmmm...we'll see. I know all 7 year olds who are desperate for a dog aren't the best truth tellers :) So far he's been a huge help and I intend to hold him to his promises.
Kate, on the other hand, asked me the other day why pets can't take care of themselves and why we have to take care of them. I laughed as she was saying this because, of course, she was talking about my life as a mom...I explained to her that they are like children, you have to help feed and take care of them because they're part of the family and you love them.
Mishka is quite big (about 85#). He comes up to Jack's nose and to Kate's shoulders. Needless to say they were a bit terrified of him at first. The last few days, however, we've seen how calm he really is and they are relaxing. He doesn't move when the kids yell and run around. He just follows me around and lays on the floor wherever I am. He's like a really big cat and I'm thankful for that.
We discovered today that he is allergic to the food we got him. So we had to take him to the vet already and now we've got to get him the good food. He's ok though and as soon as the other stuff is out of his system he'll be back to his normal lazy self :)
We're excited to take him hiking with us. Hopefully he'll have energy to do that! Our cat, Obi, is non too thrilled with us but he's gotten used to 2 other dogs. He'll get used to Mishka.
I can't believe we got a dog!
