Our Dogs

I love my dogs... our dogs... our babies! I found out today that a very good friend of ours had to put her dog to sleep. Her pup was the same age as JoJo... I could not imagine losing my monkey already. I have had other dogs, Scrappy was the best puppy a little girl could ask for, sweet, small and cuddly (and disliked my little brother enough to make it fun). He passed after 14 years. Paje - the BEST German Shepherd in the world, passed suddenly at 10 years old - which was devastating, but ok because we had so much time with them both. I adopted a puppy 3 years ago after Christmas that died 3 days later of Distemper... that tore me up, but was able to get over because I only had him 3 days. But Missy and Chris lost their pup after 3 years... 3 years is NOT a good puppy time.

2 years ago when we got Dixie she got very sick several times. Once, it got to the point that if the Vet did not find a cure "this time" we would have to think about the possibility... can't say that... She spent her first year of life under extreme monitoring, she had 20+ staples, a drainage tube, worms, fleas, allergic reaction to fleas, mange, a rare disease (only recorded 3 times in vet journal history)... and a very constant case of the runs. She is now 2 years old - fat and healthy! Thankfully!!

3 years ago (this monday - valentines day) we got Jojo. She was so small and cute. She has been great since day one. Easy to train, easy to love. She has also had some weird health issues -nothing major: she had an external chemical type burn on her nose... ooh that was so horrid... vet never could tell us what it was, she swallowed a rawhide (her last) and worked through blockage - Javier and I's first time to ever stay up all night worried. (we slept downstairs on a sheet with her all night... it passed, she was fine). She has gotten mange as well, twice (we do keep her clean - victim of dog parks) She tore the pads off her feet and had to wear socks for a month because of too much playing in the water. Most recently she got "chapped lips" that cause her uncomfortable pain.

After all this - I have 2 VERY healthy girls who are the light of my life. I am just so blessed - and wanted to share some of my favorite things about my pupps.

JoJo - the monkey :)
Jodee is her full name. She is so lippy - any dog on tv she has to "talk to" and if you do not do what she wants, she'll tell you. She LOVEs to lay deep in the couch pillows. She prefers ice to any other treat. She protects her daddy dearly and is so loving. She likes to lay behind your neck and rest her head on your neck. She is not a huge fan of being petted, she would much rather lay on you with no petting. She fetches like no other and is pretty good at catching frisbee's. She jumps in the water at the park, and gets in the tub for a bath easily. She LOVES LOVES LOVES to ride in the car - and will jump into any open door she sees. Her birthday is January 8th 2008. Her mom is an Australian Shepherd and her daddy a blue heeler.

Dixie Rose
Dixie Rose Deluxes... a long name has she. She wants to be petted all the time. She will nudge her head between your hand and whatever else your hand is on - phone, computer, pencil.. to make you pet her. She looks at you for approval so often. She catches frisbees thrown right at her - like jumps and gets them. She just started barking recently, and now will bark at Jojo all the time - but not nearly as often as Jo. She will not fetch anything if Jo is outside with her. She never brings back anything to you, she brings it about 5 feet from you, puts it down and runs to you back and forth "asking" you to get it. -- strike that , she has just started handing you the toy inside the house, but NEVER outside. She won't eat anything until Jo finishes her food. She only eats ice until Jodee finishes hers, then Dixie drops hers so Jo can get it. She is very passive, but steals the tug toy. She will not lay on you unless you are petting her. She likes to sleep on the floor - recently upside down ->adorable. She tilts her head when you say "ice cream" and she shows her teeth like she is smiling. Now that she is healthy, she is over 50lbs and taller than Jo. Her tail is always wagging and loves unconditionally. She sits by the back tree staring at the squirrels. She used to get car sick EVERY time she rode in a car, now she actually jumps in and seems to like it! She is a full blood Border Collie, birthday is Jan. 2 2009.



OK - that was a nerdy post, but I often feel like I neglect my girls because of work and ... well facebook... and tonight, I just had an overwhelming amount of love for them and had to share. I have the best DOGS in the world!