A new tail to add to the family

It was a hard year in 2007. Losing two members of our family in quick succession. Sierra and Marley are missed everyday and there these random moments where my yearning for both girls is so strong tears come to my eyes. The pain and sadness have dimmed in my brain, but the smiles and laughter are brighter than ever.

I walk by your pictures everyday and find myself stopping to touch them and remember.

Nala misses her sisters still. Upon much consideration, we decided in honor of our girls lost, we were ready to rescue another dog and provide a loving and nurturing home. We all went to the San Diego Humane Society and searched for a good match. Our intention was to get an older dog, around 6 or 7 years old, little did we know we would end up with a dog just over a year, pretty much a puppy. There were so many searching eyes, searching for their forever home, that I wanted to bring them all back. As we walked up and down the kennels, we stopped at one quiet dog, who just sat there looking up at us. He was a short little fella with a crooked leg. That was the moment. We brought him out and they told us he was classified as confrontational with other dogs, but we still wanted to give him a chance. We went out to a play area and he walked around, not to interested in us. Not more than a few minutes went by, and he came over and cuddled next to my leg. So now all he had to do was convince Nala. We brought Nala in and he didn't look to sure of himself, but within minutes, they both seemed to get comfortable.

So the decision was made, oh and his name was Simba...it was fate, Nala and Simba. So we brought him home and slowly, everyday, I see the haunted look leave his eyes. He know longer flinches when his dad moves to quickly. He's slowly realizing that no one is going to hurt him. He now knows this is his home. We've learned that he isn't confrontational, he just wants to meet other dogs, so every weekend, he goes to the dog park and makes new friends. We've spent a lot of time, lost lots of pillows, a rug, and part of a couch slowly training him how to live in his new home. His sister loves him, sometimes begrudgingly, but nothing is sweeter seeing them lie together and her giving him a little bath. At the dog park, he protects his older sister when the boys come around and give her a little to much attention.

He has brought joy back into a house that was saddened with so much loss. He has brightened up Nala's life bringing a bit more gold into her golden years. His antics make us laugh and smile when he throws his rubber chicken around and does laps around the house.

He has his home, and we received the best gift, more sunshine in our lives.

Each dog or any pet brings something beautiful and unique into our lives. The little we give them is given back to us ten fold. No matter how painful the losses, the amount of tears cried, when they go, they inevitably leave a wonderful footprint in our hearts that makes it all worth it.

So introducing our new boy, Otis. Oh, we changed his name b/c a)even though Simba helped seal the deal...it just doesn't suit him and b) we didn't want him to have to live with a that wasn't given to him in love and that was probably yelled more often than not.
















Look at that tongue!














Kisses for his sister Nala












Buddies at the park

Introducing the Three Monkeys

A little intro to the three girls. Sierra - Yellow Lab (Nala's litter mate), Nala - Yellow Lab (Sierra's litter mate), Marley - Chow Chow. These three chicks are the result of a blended family. Sierra and Nala were both adopted by my husband from Lab Rescue. Can you even believe that someone wanted to give them up???? I guess that's our gain. The girls were adopted at age two and are currently 12 years old. Marley has been my girl since I was a sophomore in college, back when I was young. I found her out on a farm in Bloomington, IN and it's been love since. Marley is 13 years old.

Sierra was our little love bug. I have never seen a dog that would take a pet and a hug over a bone, but that was Sierra. Her sweetness was infectious. Sometimes I think she was too smart for her own good. I could see her across the room just thinking, thinking, thinking....either how to get some love or maybe how to kill me. Just kidding on that last point, but geez, that girl loved her dad. Sometimes my husband and I would be laying in bed and I would wake up to her staring at us. Sometimes giving me the stink eye. But really though, she was just sweetness personified.

Nala is our clown. Our wiggleworm. Our sea cow. You can't walk by her without her throwing her body out in front of you and rolling around on her back, hoping, praying, you may either rub her belly or give her some food for her cuteness. I gotta tell you, this dog is so freakin cute I almost forget that she eats poop...sometimes. I like to call Nala our big boned girl. While her sisters have always been svelte, Nala is how would you say....um, curvaceous, voluptuous, rounded, ample? Choose any that may apply.

Marley. How do I describe Marley. Independent, stoic, dogcat. I think dogcat is best. If there ever was a cat that was having a species identity issue and felt that it should be a dog, then Marley would be the result. Now she is 100% dog, but personality wise, don't ever think that she wants us to think she needs us. She blesses us with her presence, and lets us pet her when she wants it. But with that package also comes silliness, loyalty, and friendship. Marley is the hardest to get to know, but once the time is taken, it's well worth the effort. Just ask her legion of fans.

Can you guess who is who?????