TeresaSays
Having 4 dogs at one time was never exactly planned, but here we are… lol
When we moved into our first house is when we got our first dog (we also had 2 cats at the time). We weren’t exactly planning on getting a dog anytime soon though. A family member asked us to go and look at a cat at the shelter for her. When we got to the shelter, the cat was no longer available, so we decided to look at the puppies.
There was a litter of 4 puppies in a cage and they were so cute! (Side note: We had a dominant cat so IF we were to get a dog, it would definitely have to be a young puppy.) Well, next to that litter was a puppy all by himself around the same age. We asked what the deal was with him? They told us he was a part of the litter next to him but since he was bigger, they gave him more room. Now, mind you, these puppies were about 8 weeks old. I mean, he was bigger than the rest, but he wasn’t a giant!
Anyway, we looked him over for a little bit and interacted with him. Of course, we fell in love with him. We asked about adopting him and they told us there were other families there interested in him but to go ahead and fill out the paperwork. We filled it all out and turned it in. Next thing you know, we’re leaving with a puppy in a box! Welcome home Cisco!
A few years go by, and we end up moving out of state. Life was good with the dog and 2 cats! They adjusted well and loved being in their new home! A short time later, I decided Cisco (he was about 4 years old so not too old) needed a friend so I searched the web looking for a puppy. I came across a listing on Craigslist and inquired about a little black puppy a man was trying to rehome because he was moving out of state and “couldn’t” take him along.
My husband and I went to see the puppy and he was a little hellraiser! He took off down the parking lot and was running around like crazy! He was too cute to pass up and I didn’t want him to end up in the wrong hands, so we took him home. The introduction to Cisco went very well and they soon became best friends. Welcome home Bauer!
Time went on, Cisco was 8 years old, and Bauer was 4. Bauer was still in his playful stage so we decided HE needed a friend who could keep up with him. We headed to the shelter late one evening looking for a puppy. When we arrived, they told us they just got 3 puppies in. We go back into a room, and they brought the puppies in so we could interact with them. There were two males and one female. I didn’t really want a female dog because the ones I had growing up used to fight plus we already had two males and we weren’t sure about that kind of dynamic.
One of the males was a little shy and the other was really friendly. Concentrating mostly on the male puppies, we didn’t really pay much attention to the female. Well, while we were playing with the male puppies, the female came tearing in from around a corner and runs through this fabric tunnel, then grabs the tunnel and starts running around the room with it! It was the funniest thing! She had such a “I’m a badass” attitude, we HAD to have her! So, instead of walking out with one puppy, we walked out with two! Welcome home Ronin and Remmie!
Are you still with me? LOL (Sites I’ve read say blogs should be 2,000+ words and I’m at about 626).
In the early summer of 2016, Cisco was diagnosed with mouth cancer, and it had already spread throughout his body so he didn’t have much time left. We continued to give him the best life with all of his favorite things and foods! We, unfortunately, had to say goodbye to him on Halloween that year. I swear it was one of the absolute hardest things we’ve ever had to do. I was in culinary school at the time and I had class that day. I was a hot mess all day long, crying on and off. My instructor asked what was wrong, I told him, and he totally understood and let me leave early that day. Cisco was the best dog; he was super smart, had the best temperament, and everyone that met him, loved him! He crossed the Rainbow Bridge in our home surrounded by all that loved him. He was 14 years old. (now I’m in tears)
Bauer took Cisco’s passing quite hard even though he had Ronin and Remmie to keep him company. He eventually came around and returned to his usual self. One day while I was cutting Bauer’s hair (he loved getting his hair cut), he stood up and went and laid under the kitchen table and acted weird. My husband was on a conference call at the table and didn’t realize what was going on.
I went over to Bauer and started petting him and asking him what was wrong as if he could respond. He wasn’t really reactive. I figured since he was so food motivated, I would try a piece of salami which I knew he loved. He didn’t want any part of it. I knew then there was something wrong. I looked up over the table and glanced at my husband. He could tell by the look on my face that something was very wrong.
I called up our vet and they were able to get him in that day. After having him for 3 hours, they couldn’t determine what was wrong, so I took him to the emergency vet across the street. After about an hour there, they gave him a diagnosis of fluid (most likely blood) buildup around his heart and there was nothing they could do for him. We said goodbye to Bauer the next day in our home surrounded by all that loved him. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge six months after Cisco. He was 10 years old. I think he literally passed away from a broken heart.
Now, we’re left with Ronin and Remmie (we refer to them, even now, as “The Puppies”).
Here we go again! The puppies seemed lonely with their two older brothers not around anymore. I know, let’s get another dog!!!
Once again, I hit the web to search for a puppy. This time, we’re looking for a BIG dog. I found a litter of puppies and they were young and big! The rescue that sponsored them was having an event at PetSmart in the near future, so we decided to check them out. Oh my gosh, these puppies were gorgeous and HUGE! We went back on forth on two of the males they had and decided on the “chill” one. After about an hour of interacting with them, because they were just so cute to leave, we filled out the paperwork on the one we wanted and turned it in.
We got a call back to set up a home visit. Everything went well with that and a couple of weeks later the foster mom brought the puppy by for an introduction to Ronin and Remmie and it went great! She felt the puppy would have a great home and we proceeded with the adoption (there was a grace period if we decided the puppy wouldn’t work out for whatever reason). Welcome to the family Barrett!!
A short time went on, Barrett got bigger and bigger, twice the size of Ronin and Remmie! So…… you guessed it, Barrett needs a playmate that could keep up with him!
For fucks sake, will it ever end?!? LOL
I reached out to a couple of friends who I knew dealt with rescues because we couldn’t find what we wanted online. We were connected with a woman who just got a litter of puppies, so I messaged her for more info on them. I was told they were mastiff mixes, so I made an “appointment” to go see them! We got there and they were all just the cutest things! Running around acting all crazy, each one having their own personality.
We were on the floor playing with them all and having so much fun with all the puppy teeth and puppy breath! There was a male that was slightly bigger than the rest, so we focused on him. He had such a nonchalant personality and we thought he’d be perfect for Barrett. We set up a home visit to introduce the puppy to the other three and it went great! The foster mom felt comfortable with the interactions, and we proceeded with the adoption. Welcome to the family Butch!
As of right now, our family is complete. With four dogs, it’s a bit much at times. Sure, there’s more poop to clean up, more vet bills, and more mouths to feed but at the same time, there are more snuggles and kisses, more unconditional love, more laughter, and smiles. I don’t regret any of it!