13 More Days...

I'm counting down the days until I get my Ralphie...13 more days!  Rusty and I will be picking him up on Saturday, Oct. 6th.  I'll be taking off that whole week so I can get Ralphie acquainted with me and Ollie.

Yesterday I did more doggie shopping.  I picked up some puppy teething rings, a retractable leash, a training lead, poo bags with holder, and a crate bedding.  There are few things that I need before he's here...a water bowl to hang on the crate and regular feeding/water bowl for everyday.  So I guess it's another shopping day for Ralphie!!

Ralphie's Home

Today I put together Ralphie's new home and decided where it will be located in the house.  I purchased the crate online through amazon.com.  It was a big decision if I should order the 36" or 42" crate.  I did a lot of research which would be best.  Overall the majority said to go with the 42" crate.  So I ordered the 42" crate which included a divider panel to size the crate as Ralphie grows.  I am so pleased with the quality of this crate made by Midwest Homes for Pets.  It's sturdy, easy to get together by just unfolding and securing the crate with the latches.  It comes with a floor pan and the divider panel!  The cost was amazingly low at $56.00!!  An added plus, I didn't have to pay tax or shipping.  Delivery was excellent.  I thought I was hallucinating when I saw the delivered crate at my door in 2 days!!  I still need to purchase the comfy bedding for Ralphie's new home.  I may just do that today.  20 more days I get my Ralphie...can't wait!!!

Meet Ralphie

Today was a big day!  Erica and I went to pick out Ralphie. It's been a rainy, stormy day but nothing was going to stop us from going out to see our little Ralphie.  I had three male puppies to choose from.  Thank goodness there were only three.  I was overwhelmed...all three were so cute and adorable.  So we took our time when making the big decision...45 minutes.  There was the aqua collared male...he seemed quite feisty, very active.  He went straight for Erica's toes and flip-flops, then he went for other objects in the garage.  He was just so cute, playful, extremely active.  Then there was the blue collared male.  He was much bigger than the other two.  I liked his demeanor, quite laid-back.  His coloring seemed to be a lighter shade of red than the other two.  I really liked him.  Then there was the green collared puppy.  I think he picked us out.  He was active, but not overwhelmingly active.  He was a cuddler, just molding into our arms.  His face was wrinkly and seemed so royal as Erica described him.  We knew the green collared puppy was my Ralphie.  The decision was made.  Now the long wait...4 weeks until I can take him home.  It's going to be a long 4 weeks.

Tell me...isn't he the most adorable puppy??!!

Cutey Ralphie at 5 weeks old.

Momma and Ralphie...smooch!!!

Vizsla Cross-Stitch Picture

I found this picture in my attic that I cross-stitched in 1996 and yesterday I hung it in my work office.  It used to hang above Jazz's bed.  I loved stitching this picture.  Originally it was a Weimaraner pattern but I changed the colors to match the Vizsla.  Now I will enjoy this piece of art everyday while at work!

Anticipiation

Today is the day before I pick out Ralphie!  The puppies are 5 weeks old now. I will have a choice of 3 boys to pick from.  And then the beginning of October will be homecoming!  I've been dreaming of the day I get to see the puppies.  I'm envisioning a loose skin, red haired, big floppy ears, medium size, playful puppy that connects with me instantly.  I have so many plans for Ralphie.   He will be my running partner,  my play friend,  my beach buddy,  Ollie's little brother,  my new best friend.  I know it's going to be different around here at home.  Hopefully Ollie connects with Ralphie.  I'm sure that may take time.  I know I will need to share my love equally, not leaving Ollie out.  My whole life schedule will change with early morning walks with Ralphie instead of my normal runs/workouts.  Instead of running errands during my work lunch break, I will be stopping at Erica's place to walk Ralphie.  Of course I'll walk Erica's pugs, Diva and Leroy too.  Then after work I'll pick up Ralphie and then a nice long evening walk or off to the dog park for playtime. Between all this time with Ralphie I will still need to give Ollie his shorter walks.  I really need to work on a schedule.   I'm going to be one busy girl!!

The Perfect Man

To begin with, I have to admit I don't have luck with men.  I just haven't found the right one yet, but I'm certainly optimistic that he's out there somewhere.  Are my expectations too high?  Is this person nonexistent? It's really simple; I'd like to meet someone who has similar traits as my pets.   LOL
 Jazz my Vizsla who departed me a few years ago and Ollie my little 'ol Yorkie who is with me now, have the traits I'm looking for in a special man and here you go...

1. Jazz and Ollie are honest...no lies.  When they're naughty, they admit it with their head down, ears back and then gives me a kiss to say, "Yes, I did it, I'm so sorry for chewing your shoe."

2. Jazz and Ollie never cheat.  They know what loyalty means and they show it.

3. Jazz and Ollie love to cuddle and they make me laugh.

4.  Jazz and Ollie accept me for who I am.  They don't care about the small lines on my face...I am who I am.

5.  Jazz, specifically was athletic, loved to run, and didn't feel she needed to compete with me but instead she ran with me side by side.

6.  Jazz and Ollie don't care what people think about them.  They are who they are.  No need to be fake or trying to impress their friends and acquaintances.

7.  Jazz and Ollie never brag about themselves. They just shine naturally.

8.   Jazz and Ollie love to take walks and scout out the neighborhood with me.

9.  Jazz and Ollie miss me when I'm gone and when I return I get kisses, kisses, kisses.

10.  Jazz and Ollie need me in their life and I need them in my life. We make each other happy every day.

Exciting News...

Today was the day I've been waiting for.  I'm scheduled to pick out Ralphie this coming Sunday.  The litter is only 5 weeks old, but I'm able to pick him out ahead of time.  I won't be taking him home until the first week of October though.  Pictures soon to come....

Oh Where, Oh Where is Ollie

Oh where, oh where is Ollie?  The other day I was relaxing watching TV and noticed Ollie was no where to be found.  Normally he will lay on the sofa next to me when I'm home.  On days he just want to snooze by himself he'll be in three places...his bed in my bedroom, his other bed in my clothes closet, or under my bed.  While missing Ollie's company, I began to look for him to have join me in the living room.  He wasn't in any of his normal places.  So I looked further and there he was.  He found Ralphie's bed and bird toy that I purchased the other day.  I had the bed and toy securely wrapped in two bags in my shoe closet.  Well there he was, the bag ripped open, the bed sprawled out, and Ollie sleeping on the bed with the birdie out of the second bag next to Ollie comforting him!!  Ollie found the bed and toy and with his Yorkie strength managed to pull out a small stool that was blocking the bed in my closet, unwrapped the bed, unwrapped the toy and enjoyed!!  I wish I had my camera to take a picture of him enjoying the comforts of this new bed.  But here's a picture of his work of determination of finding a new comfort place.  I may need to get Ollie a third bed so he doesn't feel left out when Ralphie comes home.  This should be a very interesting introduction when Ralphie comes home, but I feel Ralphie and Ollie will best buddies over time.