Life is better with a snoring dog in my lap

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I can't believe this is happening...

I got another dog.

It hasn't even been two weeks yet since Mac passed away. I knew I would eventually get another four legged roommate, but I figured I'd take some time to heal a bit. (Emotionally AND financially - all the homeopathic meds and Omaha steaks got pricey. Worth every penny, but it did add up!)

And mostly, I didn't want to feel like I was trying to replace Mac. And I'm not. He was truly one of a kind, and I will always, always miss him.

But...my house was just so, so quiet. It was making me miss Mac even more. I felt like coming home to silence was just making Mac's absence even more apparent.

I started looking on Petfinder, thinking it would take a while. I didn't really have any specific criteria- just a dog that I clicked with. When I found Mac on Petfinder, it was love at first sight. I saw his picture and just knew he was MY dog. So this time I was looking for something similar- maybe not as strong as love at first sight, but just a feeling that this dog stood out, had a little extra personality.

I knew I wanted a shelter dog- there are so many good dogs that need homes. And I truly believe that shelter dogs know that you rescued them, and they love even more because of it. I kind of thought I wouldn't get a purebred- they're harder to come by in shelters anyway, and I liked the idea of a scrappy mutt. And I was thinking a Pit mix would be nice- so many shelters are overflowing with Pits,and they're such misunderstood dogs. I wasn't trying to replace Mac, but since he was such an amazing dog, I didn't think there was anything wrong with looking for a dog with some of his characteristics!

On Thanksgiving, I showed my family the listings for a few "finalists," and asked for their vote. I'm sure they were all great dogs, but there was one that just kind of stood out. Ironically, he received the least votes. And he's a purebred- a Boston terrier.

His name was Brewski (which has since been changed- I don't think he liked it either, as he never really responded to it!). I called the shelter on Friday and, since work was pretty quiet, went in to see him on my lunch break. The staff at the shelter said he was an owner surrender, that he doesn't get along with other dogs, and that his previous owner had two other dogs. They said that when Brewski was brought in, he just cowered in the back of his kennel. They told me that he wasn't friendly, and that the reason no one had picked him yet was because he was so standoffish, and that he could be "reactive and vocal" - he gets overstimulated very easily and responds by barking.

I took him out for a "get to know you" stroll, and we just clicked. I sat on a rock outside and he climbed all over me, licking my face. When we went back inside, the staff was shocked. They said they couldn't believe this was the same dog, and that he had never warmed up to anyone like that. It was at that point I knew I would take him. He sat quietly at my feet while I filled out the paperwork. The staff said they usually have a longer approval process, but after seeing us together, they approved me on the spot. When I said I had to go back to work, we agreed I would come back the following morning for him. It was like Brewski realized and started to freak out- he jumped up and put his front paws on the counter. He refused to budge when it was time to take him back to his kennel.

Meet Brewster:




We are still getting used to each other, but so far, so good. We spent last night at my parents' house- I was nervous he'd be getting in to stuff, but he was great. From what I can tell, his previous owners mustn't have spent a whole lot of time with him- he is starved for attention, and timid with new people. He's been responding pretty quickly to new commands and seems to be adjusting pretty well.

He's not Mac; I'll always love Mac, but I think I'm going to love this guy too.




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STG = big wimp

Right now I'm live blogging from my bed, which I'm afraid to leave- there's a potential mouse on the loose in my house. I've had traps set for the past week, and one of the traps was set off today. I can't tell if there's anything in it, and I'm terrified to look...I get the heebie jeebies just thinking about it!!! And of course the trap that went off is directly in the line of access from my bedroom and kitchen to the rest of the house. The good news is my dad is on the way- he was already coming over, I swear. Until he gets here I'm staying holed up in my room!!


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Pimpin' ain't easy

Mark your calendars: I had two dates this weekend. With two different guys. This doesn't happen often.

So now I'm in a pickle: I like them both. For totally different reasons. I wish I could combine them, because both of them have qualities I'm looking for, but neither is my perfect guy. (Not that I'm looking for my "perfect" guy, because Lord knows, I'm far from perfect...but you catch my drift.)

Guy #1 is...hmm, how to describe him....well, I'll be blunt: he's a bit dorky. Socially awkward, even. He needs a fashion makeover in a big way. (Full disclosure: I am in NO way saying I'm the greatest thing ever. These are just my honest opinions on these guys.) The thought of introducing him to my friends makes me a little hesitant. But...he's really cute, really smart, and incredibly thoughtful and considerate. And he's tall. Never been married, no kids- a rarity at this age. I don't think he's a player at all, partly because he has no game lol. He's sincere and sweet...although maybe, umm, a little less dynamic than I'm used to. However, he seems like an all-around great guy: he even rearranged his work schedule to be able to take his grandma to doctor appointments and spend more time with her. We've gone on 3 dates so far. I had a great time, but they were pretty basic dates-movies, dinner or drinks at chain restaurants that I've already been to.

Guy #2 is adorable. He's short, but super cute and really charming and funny. He's sharp, but not book smart like Guy #1- he's more savvy smart. I can totally picture bringing him out with work friends, regular friends, the whole thing. But...he's divorced and has 2 kids...who are teenagers. On one hand, I'd rather deal with someone who has teenagers, versus toddlers...but still. I've never dated someone with kids, or someone who's divorced, for that matter. I'm not sure I can deal with it. However, he's really cute and makes me laugh a LOT and is someone I could see myself having a blast with. I have an easier rapport with him than I do with Guy #1. His lifestyle is more of what I want in life- he travels a lot, sails, loves to go out to new places...but could be a bit of a player. I'm not sure. We had our first date tonight- he put some thought into it and came up with somewhere I've never been, and it was on the water with a great view (we had dinner and drinks). I had a harder time reading him- I wasn't sure if the date was going well...until he asked me out for next weekend.

The other thing is Guy #2 is more direct. He's already asked me out again, and Guy #1 hasn't contacted me since our last date (Friday). I guess I'm just going to ride this out for a little bit and see where things go. And who knows- maybe one or both of them will decide they're not into me!

I guess what they say is true: when it rains, it pours. A while back I was on a really bad streak of getting stood up- literally three Fridays in a row, I got stood up by a different guy! And I've earned the nickname "Shit Magnet" from my friends- notice i said earned. I got that nickname the hard way- attracting the wrong guy wayyyy too many times. Now I'm having a hard time figuring out who I want to go out with! This isn't the norm for me, but I guess I'll take it.


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Back to the grind

Today was my first day back to work. As awful as this week has been, I am so, so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. Everyone at work was so supportive- other places might think I'm a crazy dog lady (and I guess I am!) but all my work peeps were so considerate of my feelings.

And my friends- they have just been awesome. I just got home from work and a care package was waiting for me from one of my sweet friends- a book about how our dogs are our angels. I am crying my eyes out right now and I have a date in an hour!! Get it together girl!!


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Goodbye, old friend

Mac passed away yesterday. I'm actually doing better than I thought I would. I'm incredibly sad- my heart is broken- but I'm also so grateful for all my friends and my family. Everyone has been so, so wonderful.

I had scheduled an appointment to bring him to the vet tomorrow...I was having a really hard time coming to terms with putting him down. I'm so grateful it didn't come to that- one of my friends said that Mac always did things on his own terms, so that it made sense that this was no different.

He had been really finicky with his eating over the past few weeks, and the past couple days his food of choice was rotisserie chicken. Yesterday on my lunch break I stopped at Boston Market to pick up lunch for both of us, then went home to check on him. When I got upstairs he was sprawled by the door. It took me a couple minutes to process what had happened. He was still warm and I think he made a few sounds (although I was pretty hysterical so I can't be sure). But at any rate, what I think happened was this: he heard me come home and was waiting by the door for me and collapsed. It brings me a lot of comfort to think that he knew I was home and was coming up to see him when he went.

There was also fresh pee on a shopping bag in the next room- so I know he had been up to his usual antics, and that also makes me feel better. I don't think he suffered or was in pain- I think his heart just finally gave out. He had a bunch of places around the house that were his "hang out" spots- the couch, the sun room, couple rugs he liked- and the place I found him wasn't one of his hang outs. It was where he always waited by the door for me. So, I truly do think he heard me pull into the driveway and come up the stairs.

I'm sadder than I can even express- for the past 10 years he has been my sidekick. I keep looking for him, expecting this to be a bad dream or something. I keep forgetting that he's gone. Just a couple minutes ago I looked at the foot of my bed, expecting to see his little face pop up. It's going to take some getting used to.

But I'm also more grateful than I can say- my parents, family, and friends have been so good to me. My dad is out of town this week so couldn't be with me, but he called the vet for me and made all the arrangements for me to bring Mac in. My friend Amy, bless her heart, drove down from Boston to take me to the vet yesterday so I didn't have to go alone. Another friend stopped by to check on me last night, another came by today, and another took me to dinner tonight. I've had tons of Facebook messages and emails. Even Mac's vet called to say how sorry she was (she wasn't in the office yesterday). This has been such a shitty situation, for sure, but I'm so grateful for all the love, and it really has made me feel so much better.

I'm also glad he's not suffering. It was starting to get to the point where he would be suffering soon; for a dog so full of energy and vitality, I couldn't have handled seeing him lose his mobility. He was starting to have trouble getting up, he had fallen a couple times, and stairs were iffy. Just the day before he passed away, we went for a ride in the car. He had his head out the window and was bouncing around in the car, scoping out other dogs. We went through the drive thru at Burger King and the ladies working fussed over him and told him how cute he was. I'm glad I took the long route. I'm glad I drove slower than usual so he could hang his head out the window. And I'm glad I spent a little longer in bed yesterday morning, because I was snuggled up with him and didn't want to leave. Before I left for work, I gave him a kiss on the head and told him I'd be home to see him at lunch. It was one of those mornings that got away from me at work, and when I might have skipped lunch. I'm glad I didn't. I'm glad I went home and was there.

So, even though this really sucks right now, I don't think I'd change anything. He was an exceptional dog- so freakin' smart, full of personality, adorable and funny and sweet. I'm glad he went out on a good note, because he deserved it.






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Rough night

Not good news over here. We have been up all night and Mac isn't doing so great. I have a bad feeling this time.

At this point, taking extraordinary measures is just selfish on my part. I've known we were on borrowed time for about a month now; I'm grateful for the extra time, but selfishly, I always want more. I don't think there's ever going to be a point where I'm ok with this or ready to let him go, so I'm just trying to do what's best for him. As long as he still wanted to fight, I wanted to let him. But I think his body is finally giving out.

It sucks. It just plain sucks.


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Oops

I may or may not have just flipped off a school bus.

In my defense, I'm stuck in traffic so bad I am blogging. Blogging. That's ridiculous. And I'm seriously about to pee in my car, I have to go so bad. And I'm running late for my 2nd date with semi-mullet guy, much against my better judgement. (This israel trying to be open-minded and give him a shot. I'd rather stay home on my couch with my sick dog, thank you very much.)


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Losing it

I'm trying not to make every post a Mac post, but these days it's tough.

He is still hanging in there. It has been quite a roller coaster ride- every time I'm ready to give up and make our final vet appointment, he rallies. After a couple bad days in a row in which he didn't eat much at all, I spent most of last night crying my eyes out. (I know, at some point I really need to get a grip.)

Then this morning he jumped put of bed (lately he's been lazy in the morning and I have to coax him out of bed) and ran down he stairs to go outside. His appetite isn't close to what it should be, but he ate half a hot dog for dinner.

Which brings me to the story in this...Mac has always been a brat. It's part of his charm, and I'm convinced that his spunky, stubborn spirit has gotten him this far. He has always been a picky eater, going on "hunger strikes" for up to a couple days if what I feed him isn't what he wanted.

It has always been annoying and obnoxious. Now, it's driving me nuts. I try to guess what he'll eat, and it's been something different every day now. For a while it was beef teriyaki, and ONLY beef teriyaki. Then boneless spare ribs, chicken fingers (with ALL breading picked off. But not roasted chicken or grilled- chicken nuggets only), Omaha Steak hamburgers, and finally Omaha Steak filet mignon. Only Omaha Steak filet. I tried giving him plain old filet mignon from the meat market, and he refused to eat it.

And at this point, he's so weak, a couple days without eating is really, really bad.

So I drove to the Omaha Steak store nearby. I know I could have gotten a much better deal online. And even worse, my bff's mom works for another Omaha store and probably would have been happy to pick some filets up for me. But I couldn't afford to wait a couple days - after the past couple days I needed to pull out the stops NOW.

When I got to the store the sales guy went through the whole song and dance: "what cut of meat do you want? How do you like it cooked?"

After a few questions I couldn't take it. So I finally admitted the steaks were for my dog.

The sales guy, bless his heart, tried to steer me toward ground chuck. I had to explain that no, my dog won't eat chuck; in fact, he won't even eat non-Omaha steak filet mignon.

I think I get the prize for strangest customer of the day.

Poor sales guy still was not deterred and tried giving me cooking tips. I had to confess another shameful detail: I've been cubing up the steaks and pan frying them. On my stove top.

Somewhere in Montana, ranchers are rolling in their graves at the sacrilege upon prime beef I have committed.

But for now, I am so grateful to Omaha Steak and its products for buying me time! (The hot dog Mac ate part of today? Omaha Steak.) Clearly Mac has an extremely sophisticated palate.



My skinny boy.


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Doesn't get better than this

Right now I'm curled up on the couch with my sweet Mac. The Grinch (original version) is on tv and the pup ate nearly an entire filet mignon for dinner. I don't think there is anywhere I'd rather be right now!

The date this week....well, it has taken me this long to blog about it, so obviously it didn't rock my world! It was ok. Not fabulous, not terrible. One thing that really annoys me: I think on the first date you should put your best foot forward. I don't go crazy, but I put thought into what I'm going to wear, try to look nice, etc. I hate it when a guy shows up looking like a schlub! I don't think I'm a perfect 10 by any stretch of the imagination, but I've never been kicked out for eating crackers in bed either. And if someone isn't going to put in some effort on the first date, I don't think they ever will. He was wearing ill-fitting jeans (a little too tight and VERY straight), brand new gleaming white sneakers, and a jacket that looked like it should be a plaid flannel shirt, but was actually a wool barn jacket. And the worst part- bad hair cut. When I first pulled up I thought he had a mullet.

He was really nice. Dorky, but nice. He was a gentleman, held doors open, was polite. But dorky. Again- I don't think I'm the toast of the town, but I can hold my own in most social situations. I can be shy in groups, but one on one I'm in my element. And I can talk to a wall. Usually I can keep a conversation going, no matter with who. I did fundraising, for pete's sake! I can keep a conversation going with deaf old men! This guy was tough. It was like every so often he would just geek out.

So I'm really not sure if there will be a date #2. For now, I much prefer to spend my evening with Mr. Mac!




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Wordless Wednesday

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