He Was A Good Dog

Yesterday, June 1st, was a normal day in the Devine house.  Kevin went to work, I hung out with the kids, and we had watched TJ and his buddy Tracker (a friends dog we are pet sitting) wrestle and play in the yard all day.  I went out several times throughout the day to give the dogs treats, and they both were so worn out from playing so hard.  I'm strict about his feeding schedule, so I never give him more than he's supposed to get, but yesterday I gave him an extra helping of food at dinner time.  Kevin and I talked about whether or not to get TJ a friend after we were done pet sitting.  He loved the constant company.  He had a really good day yesterday. 

Kevin was able to come home a little early from work last night.  He'd been working in a 90* plant all day and when he got home he wanted a snow cone.  I told him to get one and he could help me tuck the kids in bed when he got back.  About the time I was expecting Kevin home, I walked the kids to their room to get them ready for bed.  Kevin ran in the back door, frantically asking where the emergency vet was.  I started panicking and asked why.  He said he had hit TJ, but he was still moving, but he needed to get him there fast.  I grabbed Kevin's phone and ran outside with him to find TJ and he was laying in the yard.  He was still breathing so Kevin rushed him to the vet.  I called the vet to tell them he was on his way, but by the time Kevin got there, TJ was gone.  The vet said that with his injuries there was nothing she could do. 

The kids were still awake so they knew what was going on.  Trying to explain death to a 5 and almost 3 year old is really hard.  I told them TJ was in heaven now.  They said they would just keep praying God would heal TJ.  Kevin and I stayed up talking and crying late into the night.  He was able to get some sleep, but I couldn't.  I know that if we could do anything to change what happened we would.  TJ had become such a big part of our family.  Our day, and the funny stories we told our friends and family revolved around what TJ had done.

He was crazy and wild and at times destructive, but protective and gentle with the kids.  I told him daily he "was the best doggy in the whole wide world".  He knew he was loved and lived a very happy and full 14 months with us.  He seemed invincible and I really thought we'd have him at least 10 more years. 

Kevin and I keep trying to focus on the positives - all the great stories we have about TJ.  I'm thinking I'll put together a book with pictures and stories about him for the kids.  I think we are going to let the kids make the concrete garden stepping stones as a remembrance for him.  He also spent many hours a day chasing birds, so I think I want to put up a bird feeder in the yard.

It's about 12 hours since the accident and as we laid in bed as the sun came up and heard the birds chirping, I just cried wishing TJ could have just one more day with us.  One more day to enjoy the sunny weather, one more day to chase the birds, one more day to play with the kids, one more time that I could hug him and pet those big fuzzy ears that I loved so much.  But that's the take away.  Tomorrow isn't promised.  We need to make the most of every day.  I need to remind myself of that everyday.  I get so set in my routine that I'm guilty of not making the most of every day.

Here's some of my favorite pictures of TJ and the kids.

Some of my favorite times with him were when I let him in after the kids went to bed.  He loved the one on one attention.

This was from this week.  The kids had a blast playing with him and trying to take his toys away.  TJ loved the game more.  If he didn't have any toys out back, he'd go to the front yard and get one so the kids would chase him.

 One of my all time favorite pictures of Hayden and TJ.

 I loved his half blue eye.

 Hayden LOVED TJ kisses and hugs.  They were best buddies.

 Allie loved him just as much.

 Playing in the rain with a big bone.

 He helped Kevin open his birthday gifts this past year.

 When they screen door was open, he'd sit on the step or push his face into the screen.

 He was such a pretty dog!

 Nothing melted my heart quite like those big fuzzy ears.

 When we were getting his electric fence this winter, he stayed inside for a few days.  He managed to figure out how to get on the table.  I know he was laughing at me in this picture.  He was great about cleaning up crumbs :)

 My all time favorite picture of him. 

He enjoyed all the snow this past winter!

 Celebrating his 1st Birthday this past February.

 He was very fond of Krissy, and Krissy loved when TJ was in her face.

 He was always watching out for the kids.  He was wherever they were.

Tricks

This morning Kevin let TJ in the house for a bit.  We do that now and then, but try not to make it a habit.  I've spent a little time teaching the dog a few tricks (sit, shake, lay down, we are working on hi-fives).  Allie was really wanting to give him a treat this morning and I told her she had to make him do some tricks so he'd earn a treat.  I gave her three treats and she just put them all in TJ's mouth.  Again, I told her she needed to tell him to do some tricks before she just gave him the treats.  As I was placing more doggy treats in her hand, she looks at TJ and says "Tricks".... "Tricks"

It was very funny to me how literal she took my words.  Then I started thinking about how many times I've spouted off instructions or requests or demands to my kids without ever taking the time to teach them how to do the things I'm saying.  I love these kids, so why am I not taking the time to train them in areas I'm constantly harping on them?

Areas I need to train them in:

• How to behave when Mommy (or Daddy) is on the phone or talking to a friend
• How to behave when we are at places of business
• How to talk and behave respectively to/around elders
• How to listen more than they speak

My goal is not for them to be perfect little robots that act right every time I speak, but I know I can do more, and they are willing to learn more.  So see, even big furry headed dogs can be used as an instrument to show you areas you can grown and learn :)  Thanks, TJ!

Happy 1st Birthday TJ!

When we adopted TJ last April, I did the math and figured out his birthday was around February 1st, give or take a few days, so we just decided to celebrate it on the 1st!  I envisioned a doggy birthday cone hat, a big birthday cake with a bone sticking out of it, but I didn't follow through with any of those plans!  Instead I bought 140 large milkbones (I got them at Sams so obviously it was a gigantic box) and a new pack of doggy toys. 

We let the kids love on him this morning, give him treats and toys.  He has had a great day :) Maybe next year I'll be more prepared for his birthday! 

I love his big fuzzy head and ears and that blue eye!

 Allie was singing "Happy Birthday to TJ" :)

 This was the pack of toys I bought TJ.  They squeek, bounce, and float!  He LOVED them! (They came from Sams too!)

Birthday hugs!

Hayden & Allie enjoyed throwing them...

Growing Love

My love for this fuzzy mutt is definitely growing!  He's graduating out of the naughty puppy months and starting to feel like a part of the family.  I'm not going to lie, I didn't always love him, but now I am so glad we stuck it out the first few months we had him!

He is always so bummed to see us leave (even if it's just a quick trip to the store) but he's SO excited when we come home!  He's also good at keeping me alert during the night if things aren't quite normal.... (although this has it's downsides - like the night he barked for 2 hours at something in a tree {sorry neighbors!})  He is the best floor cleaner!  He laps up crackers crumbs like it's his job!  He's loves the kids.  He will sit and politely take treats out of their hands (aww) and chase them around the yard on the 4 wheeler or John Deer Tractor.  The kids think it's hilarious and TJ gets to burn off some energy!  We've also been letting him in with us for 30 mins or so a few nights a week.  Although he still smells like dog, I think he's a great addition to our family - sorry it took me 5 months to come to that conclusion TJ! 

TJ Update

I feel like our life is back to normal, and I'm out of the puppy funk I was in!  Whew!  I love having him outside for so many reasons - how about I just start listing them?!

• He lets me know when anyone is around our house.  Whether it's the mail lady dropping off a box, or a neighbor coming over to say hi, TJ is always letting me know someone is here.
• I don't have to constantly watch him.  When he was inside I was seriously watching his every move!  I do still check on him multiple times a day though.  
• He loves being outside as much as I love having him outisde!  His first day out, about lunch time I started feeling bad for him so I thought I'd let him in, and he didn't want to come in!
• I don't have to fret about things being on my floor.  Hayden's birthday presents have been scattered across the house, mostly on the floor, and I don't have to worry about things getting chewed up.
• The cats are so much happier.  They aren't constantly being chased and  tormeneted by a fiesty pup.
• Our porch is his throne.  I may have to give it a make over - doggy edition - once he's outside full time.  

He is still sleeping inside at night and he comes inside to eat.  Other than that, he's out all day.  We bought him some new toys to help keep him entertained (his favorite is playing fetch with a tennis ball).  He also loves digging in the yard.  He's only dug in the dirt and mulch, so once we get grass planted maybe that will stop?  Oh well, I think it's kinda cute.  

Outside Puppy

I have been pretty upfront about my challenges with owning a pup.  Everyday seems to present a new challenge and some days it's a bit overwhelming.  (Like in the last 24 hours he's decided it's fun to attack and kill birds - and when they are still alive and squawking and flapping he wants to show me... and I did have a mild break down about that...) We decided it was best (for my sanity) to keep TJ outside.  He has stopped going potty in the house (we are on day 7 today), but he is still a bit nippy, and still eats everything in sight.  There is a lot in our yard to chase and he will have more than enough room to roam!  Our barn also has a doggy door so he will be allowed to go in there too.  We are having an electric fence installed today so that will ease my mind about him getting in the street (or pooping in a neighbors yard). 

I think it's going to be a month long process before he's officially out.  I think for now I'll just keep him out during the days and let him sleep inside at night.  I'm most worried about him barking all night, so that's why I'm thinking we'll make slow changes to get him where we want him.

I have read lots of articles about Australian Shepherds needing mental stimulation, so right now I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate that in his every day routine once he's outside.  If not mentally stimulated, they dig/bark/chew - and Lord knows I don't need any more of that.  If you have any tips for mental stimulation, please share!  We're enrolling him in all the dog obedience classes once we get back from Florida.  They say a trained dog is a happy dog, so that's our goal.

Any and all prayers for my sanity are appreciated :)

Attitude is Everything

That saying in the bible (Galations 6:7), "You reap what you sow" has given me some new thoughts about my attitude lately.  Let me do a little confession.  In the last week, I have talked to Kevin many times about: TJ being a mistake... maybe we shouldn't have gotten him... the kids aren't old enough for a pup... Tj won't stop biting Allie (in the face sometimes)... I've really just had a bad bad bad attitude about him.  I was annoyed that I am getting woken up at 5:45 every morning (an hour of sleep really does make a difference!) to take TJ out.  It's nearly impossible to take 2 kids and a puppy for walk by yourself.  Ok, have I convinced you not to ever buy a puppy?  Just kidding, that's not my goal.

I do wish we would have done more planning and researching so I would have had some clue what I was in for.  Kevin has kept a positive attitude about the whole situation so that has helped.  Then I started thinking; I haven't been positive at all.  I wake up with negative feelings towards him, and I get frustrated when he potties in the house, and when he eats one of Allie's hair bows, and when he won't stop picking on the cats.  I was talking to my neighbor Jim about TJ being a handful and he told me something so simple, but yet it made me think.  He said TJ was just being a puppy - all puppies act the way he does.  Which meant, #1 he isn't bad and #2 my expectations were just wrong.
      
A couple days ago, I woke up and I told myself he's going to have accidents in the house today, he is going to chew up stuff he's not supposed to - but it will all be ok.  And we had a great day!  I realized that when I tell myself "I can't stand him", "We shouldn't have gotten him", "He's such a bad puppy" that I'm just planting bad seeds and I will only have a bad attitude about him.  When I plant good seeds "It's really no big deal"  "He's still learning, he's just a pup" my attitude is exactly in line with the thoughts I plant. 

Latest Update on Life With TJ

• Having a puppy is much more exhausting than I ever imagined - and TJ is a good great puppy so I can't even imagine having a bad dog!  I think what's most exhausting is this house breaking business.  He has just a couple accidents every day and they are always my fault for not paying attention.  I'm use to giving Hayden and Allie my 100% attention and now I have to throw TJ in that mix. 
• The cats are still hissing quite a bit.  I really thought Harry would be mad at me for bringing TJ home, but he has been just as affectionate with me as ever - maybe more.  I'm hope the cats come around soon.
• Last night (his 3rd night home), he woke up with a dry blanket!  I was glad I didn't have to start my day with a load of laundry.
• Hayden asks every night if TJ can sleep with him.  TJ tucks Hayden in bed along with me and Kevin, and he will snuggle up at the foot of his bed and we have to carry him out.  I think he wants to sleep with Hayden just as much.  Maybe once he's 100% house broke we'll let him do that occasionally. 
• Hayden gets so upset when I don't let him take TJ out to potty.  I know the newness will wear off, but he seems to really like taking care of him and giving him a treat for going potty.  

We had a little photo shoot outside today.... Here are some pictures from that.

First Doggy Bath

I can't recall giving a puppy a bath lately.  I think I did back in junior high when I was volunteering at the Human Society, but that has been a looooong time ago!  We took TJ in to the vet for his first puppy check up.  I also had some concerns about his dry/itchy skin.  We left with a new conditioner to try out on his coat.  I was instructed to give him a bath then let the conditioner air dry in his coat.  Shelly (his foster mom) said he did really good during bath time, and she wasn't kidding!  He stood still, didn't make a peep, and let me wash him.  Have I mentioned he is about the greatest puppy ever?  He smelled SO good after his bath.  We will have to do baths more often once we get this dry skin problem cleared up. 

10 Things I've Learned about TJ

I've learned a LOT about TJ in the last almost 24 hours we've had him... some good things, some not so good things.....

1. Crates are amazing and I'm so lucky TJ likes his!  He slept from 9:30-6:15 last night without a peep!
2. A sleeping puppy is about the cutest thing EVER!
3. TJ is figuring out where to go potty.  He's had 2 accidents in the house and both were my fault - I didn't leave him out long enough the first time, and the second time I just wasn't watching and he peed right next to the door.  He's a smart little guy.  
4. The biggest drama I had today:  Allie dropped a glass of milk on the floor, busted the glass and milk went everywhere.  I was trying to clean up that mess and Hayden told me TJ "peed a circle on the floor".  Hayden stepped in and helped me out though!
5. Dogs are really much more friendly and accepting than cats.  Little TJ couldn't wait to see Harry and Holeshot this morning (he bounced out to the garage with a big puppy smile on his face) and was greeted with a double hiss!
6. I have never woken up to a puppy - didn't really know what to expect (I was thinking a stretchy/yawning puppy) but woke up to a very loud whine.  As I hurried to let him out of his crate it was madness!  Ankle biting, pant biting, running laps through the house kinda madness.
7. Watching Hayden and TJ play together just about melts my heart.  I thought TJ would be Allie's dog, but he's definitely bonded with Hayden!
8. There are way too many kids of dog shampoos!  It took me a good 15 mins to smell and read all the puppy options at PetSmart.  I'm hoping I picked a good one!
9. Biggest fail of the day - I let Hayden pee outside - and (true story) TJ must have thought it s a sprinkler because I couldn't get him to stop running through the stream!  
10. He definitely has made our day 100% more fun!

Expanding our Famiy - Puppy Edition

Last Friday morning, my day started the same as it always does.  I got up, put in my contacts, and checked my email.  I decided to check my facebook too because I was up early and I knew I had some time before the kids got up.  As I was checking my news feed, I saw one of my friends, Shelly, posted a picture of a puppy she was fostering named Joey.  (The picture is below).

It was love at first sight for me!  I immediately texted Kevin (who was on his way home from work) a picture of him and asked if I could get more information about him.  Kevin said yes!  When Kevin got home I was still waiting to hear back from Shelly, but Kevin thought this was Shelly's new puppy - he didn't realize the puppy was a foster pup looking for a home.  As soon as he found out the puppy could be ours, he got really excited (texing me non stop throughout the day!).  I tried to go about my day as usual, but I was dying to know what we needed to do to make him ours!

To make the situation even more weird, in the last month, I've probably told a dozen people we weren't going to get a dog this summer (like we had planned)!  We knew our Florida trip was coming up, and about the time we get home, I'll be entering my third trimester.  I know my energy goes back down a bit and I didn't want to over due it.  Little Joey was the exception.  His description said he loved animals and people, loved to snuggle, and loved car rides.  One of the things Kevin's said over and over is he wants a dog that will ride in his jeep with him.  We felt like Joey was just meant to be part of our family.  We made sure we had some options for a pet sitter (for Florida) before we turned in our application for him. 

The only problem is we were one of several families interested in Joey and we had no guarantee that he was going to be ours.  That day we found out about him, we went to PetSmart and got everything we needed for a new pup - just in case he came to live with us - and because we are just antsy people like that!  We also were able to go visit him after our PetSmart trip on Friday night.  We all fell in love with him - which we knew was bound to happen!  We waited several days, trying not to get our hopes up (maybe even stressing out a bit on my part), but today, on day 5, the wait was over!  Shelly sent me a message and said, "You're approved!... He's yours now!"  I immediately told the kids that the puppy we went to visit was coming to live with us.  Hayden was SO excited!  He was saying "YAY" over and over.  Allie was saying "Yay puppy dog"!

This is my first dog - ever!  Kevin had several in and out during his childhood, but he hasn't had one in years.  We know some people think we're crazy, but I keep telling Kevin not to listen to the nay sayers!  We only live once!  The kids are thrilled and we are excited to give this puppy a forever home!  (The cats may not be so thrilled....at least not yet) We already love our new furry addition and I'm sure he'll be featured in LOTS more blog posts in the future :)  Oh yea, and Kevin renamed him TJ.  Here are some pictures from his first few hours home!

Hayden trying out TJ's new bed.  His idea, not mine!

Some doggy supplies!

TJ's foster parent's - Shelly & Chris  (She's been grrrrreat at answering all the doggy questions I have!)

Harry checking out TJ when we first got home.

TJ eating dinner.

Hayden telling me TJ was HIS puppy!

Hayden showed him ALL his toys as soon as we got home.  I think TJ was a little overwhelmed!

TJ meets Holeshot - Hisssssss

Playing outside

He was really interested in eating the bark off the tree!

He has half a blue eye.  He's got the cutest, fuzziest puppy head!

Kevin is smitten with TJ.