Signs of Spring

I know that spring is nearly here when I see these things...

The Boy just sitting outside in the sunshine.

(Later I found that Kona the Wondermutt had decided to join him for a little time in the sun.)

They then became aware of the paparazzi.

Kona sticks her tongue out to the camera.

Kona asked that this unflattering picture not be put on the internet, but since she continues to get on the couch when we are not home, all bets are off.

Ok, ok, Kona would like this picture posted so you know that she is really excited about St. Patricks Day. (Just between you and me....she thinks she is Irish, and I don't have the heart to remind her that she's Australian. So we just let her think what she wants.)

We are also growing a carrot top for our beloved Penny. (she likes the tops the best)

After-all, what is springtime without a floppy eared rabbit?

Especially one who adores banana's?

Is she not the cutest. little. thing? 

The reason we took this video is that we were hoping to record her 'hum'. When she eats something she REALLY loves, or when you give her lots of attention, she will do this buzzing kind of hum. Its the sweetest thing.

Have I mentioned that I love this bunny?

I try really hard not to show my favoritism around the Wondermutt. 

(Uh, actually, I don't. Sometimes favoritism is just apart of pet ownership. I mean who wouldn't favor "I just went out in the yard and rolled in poop" over  "I'm cute and fuzzy, trained to a litter box and give myself my own baths."

But that's for another post.

More signs of spring?

Daffodils that grow all over the yard. 

But the best part of spring (and also maybe the worst) is that I start to sound silly. 

In case you couldn't tell.

Happy Tuesday!

All Creatures Great and Small

In this three-minute break from all things busy, I am sitting down to blog while a cup (or two) of coffee is brewing in the kitchen.

I want to write about all sorts of asunder things, which carry very little importance. 

I want to talk about the weather, and the sales, and the typical water cooler topics.

I want to write something funny or witty or profoundly deep, but instead I will tell you about our long weekend.

We took a trip to Asheville that was both bitter and sweet. 

Its taste lingers in my heart.

The short story is that our puppy Sophie now lives with a wonderful semi-retired couple in Alabama. They met us in Asheville on Saturday to pick her up.

Here is the long story:

After nearly a year with that sweet little Maltese we realized that we couldn't keep up with all the care she needed. She was smart, but needed a lot more training time than we could give her. 

I could go on and on about the hardships we faced with this sweet puppy, but I won't. Just know that if we could have made this situation different, we would have...

This decision was led by The Girl who felt stressed by all the things that had to be done: early morning potty breaks, grooming, feeding, walking, playing, picking up dog "accidents", and trying with all her effort to train Sophie in basic commands.

Before I say another word I want to say this: The Girl went above and beyond the call of duty. I am ever so proud of her.

 

It was too much for a nine year old.

She tried with all her heart...and was more than overwhelmed. 

After a couple weeks of deliberation (and a last ditch effort at puppy school), The Girl bravely decided the right decision would be to find someone who could give more than just love to our puppy. 

Sophie needed someone who could give her constant training as well.

I decided my first course of action would be to send out an email. I wasn't sure how I was going to find just the right home for Sophie, so I did what I do when I feel completely at a loss, I prayed.

I sent a quick email to three bloggers that I thought might have some animal-friendly connections. One of those bloggers was TheCarpoolQueen. 

What I didn't know was that I had typed her email address incorrectly in the "to" box and sent it to a complete stranger who lives in Kentucky.

A complete stranger, whose parents live in Alabama, and had just lost their beloved sixteen-year old maltese, Kapi the month before. 

I hadn't realized the "mistake" until this (very nice) complete stranger emailed me a few days later and asked how I got her email address.

Divine intervention, is all I could say.

And I really believe its so....

God cares for His creation. 

He cares about the sparrows . 

He cares about Sophie. 

He cares about a couple in Alabama. 

He cares for you...

And he's caring for the tender hearts of this family, who has done what is hard, but what is right.