Coming home early!

I think without Charlie and the knowledge that Freddie is coming soon is the only way I have been able to keep myself from being an emotional wreck. Last night I was in the kitchen making Charlie’s dinner and I looked down to where Carin’s bowl used to be, I got a little emotional.
I received a message yesterday that the puppies will be sent home on Friday instead of Saturday because the person has to work on Saturday. Both my boys know about Freddie. Zander has known for a while but Tyler didn’t officially find out until Monday. While we were in the vet’s office, Zander started yelling at Carin telling her she can’t go yet, she has to meet the new puppy and approve of him. It was very sad to watch. I don’t know if I feel bad for Freddie or not, I have a very strong feeling that Zander will claim Freddie and there ain’t notin no one can do about it!
So far we have…
Lupine Collar (http://www.lupinepet.com/)
Lupine Leash
Bowls x2 (they have stood up to Charlie, they should last at least a week with Freddie)
Puppy bed set
Puppy chow (that is what the breeder is feeding him and that is what I have always fed my puppies)
Puppy chew sticks
Baby blankets (we hit up Goodwill and spent no more than $2 for any one blanket!)
Tonight I will be picking up:
his “bed” (kennel)
Tooth brush and tooth paste
When we get him we will take him shopping for anything else we think he might need.
I have to say that I am a huge fan of Wag-n-Wash for a few reasons. #1 They have always been very helpful and they show their love of animals every time I have been in there; #2) They stand behind the products they sell… The list goes on! With that said; Charlie is a chewer! When he joined the family we bought him a collar and harness from Petsmart, they lasted maybe two days. We bought another set again, he chewed them right up! I was in Wag-n-Wash and I saw these collars, harness and leashes that were “Guaranteed (even if chewed)”, yea right! I bought a collar and harness anyway. Charlie has kept these for a while now. After Carin’s last day of IV treatment we took her shopping, she just so happened to be wearing Charlie harness which had some chew damage. The people at Wag-n-Wash told me to go over and get a new harness, we did a one-for-one exchange right then and there! Freddie has his collar and leash already for him, he chews it, I am not too worried about it! Also Wag-n-Wash sells Tuffy pet toys. Again, this can withstand my fur children? Yea right! We bought “Pentipus” for Carin a while ago and now it is Charlie’s favorite toy, the only wear and tare on the poor thing is the little loop on its head to hang it up by.
Tomorrow is the big day and right now I feel like a child on Christmas Eve!

And the puparations begin!

As of right now, today, I have two fur children (Carin [boxer] and Charlie [Dane/Lab]) and two human children, but that is a totally different subject! Sadly Carin (my best friend for the past six years) is in the final stages of renal failure. We tried the IV treatment, but all it did was make her miserable. My sister and I decided at this point the only thing we can/should do is make her happy. She is off her kidney diet (she wouldn’t eat), she has blankets folded everywhere for her so she isn’t laying on the ground, everyone is at her beck and call and we are making sure she knows how much we love her as often as possible.

Charlie is my child with ADHD! If he sees a shiny light you are not going to get his attention for anything. All he wants to do is play and he loves playing rough, when appropriate. I love watching him play with my boys because he is semi gentle with them. With me, we get in wrestling matches and he is able to throw more weight around. If we are outside he will come at me full speed and slams into me (he usually hits my hip, I see him coming and I get ready), this is NOT all the time. He understands play time, he also seems to know when I am hurting, at which time he is more gentle with me then he is with my boys. Before Carin started getting worse (she was diagnosis with renal failure over a year ago) they would go at it in the back yard. She would go after his ankles, he would go after his ears, she would get his drawls, they would body slam, they were in heaven! In the past few weeks, I have seen Carin go after Charlie (in their playful way) once.

When I got the updated word on Carin’s condition I knew I would have to start looking for another fur child. I wanted a bulldog, but after a lot of thought, a bulldog would not be a great fit for Charlie and any new fur kid brought into the house would have to fit into the entire family. Then I stumbled across an ad for boxer puppies (after almost getting scammed over bulldog puppies). I spoke to the woman about the puppies and explained the situation I was in. The puppies would be going to their new homes on 14 Aug 10 and she had boys available. Mind you, I have always preferred girls, no particular reason, I just have. Girl boxers are actually known to be very dominating (Carin is a prime example), so having a boy would be a change. Sitting on my bed that night, I was trying to figure out a name for the new puppy. Charlie was sitting right next to me just looking around. I kept naming off names, I really wanted something that went well with Charlie. I said a few names then I said Freddie, Charlie started licking me like mad! I said a few more, Freddie – same reaction. Ok, so Charlie wants to know this dog Freddie! So we will have Carin, Charlie and Freddie. Or when the boys are in trouble Charles and Alfred (Carin never gets in trouble)!

We now have begin the preparations! We will have a puppy coming into the house, who I am sure, will want to chew everything within his reach! So, that means books come up off the bottom shelves, under beds get inspected, shoes get put up high… There is also the shopping aspect! He needs a bed, bowls, leash, collar, harness, toys, food, blankets, tooth brush and so on! He already has his first vet appointment set up, and they are looking forward to meeting him. Carin met a puppy at the store the other day and was very calm with him, I am hoping she will be the same with Freddie. Charlie on the other hand, I have a feeling, will be scared of this little new comer. But time will tell!