Gabby - my sweet girl

 We knew, right at the start when we adopted our sweet Gabby girl that her time with us will be limited. That we had only a little time to show her that humans care and humans love. She came to us first as a foster and then as our own girl through Labrador rescue. Our vet was convinced that she came from a puppy mill and was bred until her body could produce no more - and then dumped. To us, she was the sweetest girl ever. She just gave love from the moment she came into our house - she literally gulped all the love and attention and just gave and gave in return. With us she experienced the beach and holidays, love and nature walks. Evenings cuddling in the arms of a human sister or brother - and boy did she love those cuddles, tummy rubs and brushing.

Gabby love, rest in peace - we know your body could go on no further. Our love for you will live forever in our hearts. 

We would like to plead to each and everyone of you to NOT support unethical breeding practices. Be careful where and whom you buy dogs from. Report unethical breeding practices and show heart to a rescue. Rescue dogs have a special love to share. Adopt don't shop - almost every breed has a rescue organization that have wonderful dogs available to adopt. And if you want a puppy - makes sure that the breeder does so with the right ethics in place.

Saturday a year ago....

Labrador rescue posted an urgent request for a foster home for a brown labby girl found in Pretoria. As they do not have a permanent foster home and we only had our elderly Moya with us at the time we offered to help - as we did many years ago with another labby girl called Nandi.

She was an immediate hit with not only our Moya as great company but also with the kids and us. She is a true lady with beautiful manners and lots of love to give. She "talks" by raising her paw to get your attention and as you talk to her the paw keeps "talking" back. When she was never claimed we started the formal process of adopting her to become our furever baby as by then we could clearly see she was just the girl for us. She is a much appreciated and loved member of the family.

Happy adoptiversary dear Gabby - we love you and furever will. A made her and Ocean each a "cake" of Beeno and viennas - two of their favorite treats. We sang to her and the kids blew out her candle because this is now her birthday to us. We hope she has many wonderful years left with us.       

So have you adopted before? I agree there certainly is a pace for buying puppies and raising them but I love the rescue dogs so much.

On Thursday night our Moya left us.

Just a few days ago we celebrated her 14th birthday. On Thursday night she collapsed in her daddys' arms and later joined her sister Bongi and brother Rufus forever running on the beach - strong, young and fit.

We miss you so much my dear Princess Moya. You were a legend in your own lifetime. You were our first baby, our loyal friend, our protector , our comforter, our companion . Your place in the house is empty but our hearts are full of your love forever.  We are so sad  -we will always love you. But we know it was time for you to go on your own time and terms. Always our sweet Moya.

Today 14 years ago a cheeky little puppy was born. 6 weeks later she came home with us after choosing us by running towards us when we went to pick out a puppy. Moya is a legend in her own lifetime. The most amazing companion to us all.  Even at 14 she is always ready for a walk - maybe not so much a swim these days although she does still enjoy wading in the water. Although she is slowing down a bit she remains the loving special dog she has always been. Always ready for a cuddle and a talk with those soulful brown eyes. She has such character and her love for us all shines through. Happy birthday to our very first baby. 14 is very old for a Labrador and we feel very blessed that you have been with us for so long and to have had so many adventures together.

Why you need a rescue dog in your life.

This is our Rufus - doing his puppy face as the Princess calls it on Christmas day. His "I am the cutest dog ever face". But there is way way more to this furboy of ours.

Just more than a month short of a year ago we adopted this boy through Labrador and Golden retriever rescue. We knew that our Bongi had a very short time left with us and we did not want Moya left alone and grieving. After viewing a few dogs we almost immediately upon meeting him knew that he was "the one". He and A bonded immediately and do have a very special thing going between them. He adores his human sister but loves that his human brothers play ball with him. Even more now that the ball gets hit with cricket bats and golf clubs and goes really far and high.

Moya and Rufus on Sardinia bay beach

The point is that we decided to adopt a grown rescue dog and not buy a puppy. Whilst the benefits of buying a puppy is plenty it is incredibly rewarding to give a dog a new human family after it has been given up or forsaken by their previous one. It is almost as if they are even more loving, even more attentive. He is a real character and the sweetest pup ever.

The reasons why we adopted a grown dog was mostly selfish - we did not have the energy to bring up a puppy. The sleepless nights, the potty training. In return we got a dog that is fully potty trained, walks well on a leash (although he does pull hard) and is over the excessive chewing phase. He does not dig up the garden, eat the sprinklers or do many of the other Labrador puppy things that makes them equally challenging and delightful to raise. If the rest of the family is out he will make sure that he is a mere 5 steps away from me all the time. If Hunter works downstairs in the evenings he sometimes slips up the stairs to cuddle with me or he slips onto his human sisters bed and falls asleep - sometimes sleeping her half off her bed! Sometimes he checks up on his human brothers and gives them a little wet nosed kiss. It is almost as if he is checking if this is really his family and making sure he stays with us. He has been such a blessing for our family - maybe more so than what we have been to him.

The downside is that socializing him fully is proving a challenge and training him is harder than with a puppy. But we do see improvements all the time. And lets face it - if we had a puppy we would have spent time training and socializing in any event.

So do consider adopting a dog the next time you need a family pet. Most of the breeds have rescue organizations that you can approach and then there is of course always the usual animal charities. You may just be rewarded with the most awesome dog ever!

Sisters

There they were, the two girls. Dreaming away on Sunday afternoon. Enjoying each other's company while the rest of the household was busy elsewhere. Purely by chance Hunter and I spotted the two, A scratching Puppy B's ears, talking to her in a soothing voice , who knows? Sharing secrets of her heart. Both of them had a little nap somewhere along the line.

A few weeks ago the Princess had to do an oral and one of the topics was "My pet is my best friend" H helped her from her initial notes to make a speech about her puppies. How they are always glad to see her, always have time for her and always grateful for every bit of love and attention. This moment was the speech in action. A moment that I will always treasure and am so totally happy that I captured without any of the two spotting me.

The honest truth is that at 11 and a bit years our puppy B is showing her age. Last night H and I took the two puppy girls for a walk around the block - the usual thing. She moves so much slower than she used to. Running is not something that comes easily any more. In the mornings she is stiff and sore. We do give her some meds weekly to help with the stiffness. But the honest truth is that she is definitely aging faster than her sister that is 6 months older. So we are enjoying every moment with her. She, who feels happy if she rests her head on my feet. If she can touch you, she is at ease.

Love you puppy B

There is also a Project Life post up here.

So yesterday was Valentines day

I had 5 kids with great prospects for the day.

Someone dressed in pink and white (the school allows it on Valentines) and got her first Valentines chocolate from a grade 7 - I am not totally confortable with this but I hear he is a sweet boy that takes some of the little ones under his wing as a lot of grade 7's do so I hope it's just that. She in any event is very nonchalant about it all - apparently he calls her Bambi. She thinks his name is Victor but she is not totally sure. She also attended a friend's birthday party the afternoon.

Someone's (MR C's) whole class dressed in red and white and he tells me his teacher is his Valentine ( you have to admit he has good taste). He loved making her a gift (we packaged a slab of chocolate, a heart eraser and a hot pink pencil they covered in washi tape with a handmade card for all the teachers). They all made one little bag with sweeties and exchanged these amongst themselves in class.

3 Someones had a fabulous day at the Pre primary - the kdis donated pet food, blankets and oher necessaries to an animal charity (as they do every Valentines day) who came with their mascot but could not bring actual dogs due to a transport issue. I took puppy M with me to school on Tuesday morning en route to the vet where she had a tumour removed on her one back paw. She loved the attention. The school called on Thursday in panic asking if I can bring her again, and I offered to bring the two dogs. I am always amazed that there are kids who are totally terrified of the dogs and after about 2 minutes they join in the petting.

 The puppies loved all the attention - each class came to interact with them. Mr L was so proud to show off his big sisters.

Oscar Pistorius also shot his girlfriend - to me extremely sad how the media and social media reacted - and that is enough said. For a great perspective one can always trust Mandy Weiner's comments. Read it is you haven't yet.

Important - do not forget about my competition and enter.

Way back and wordful Whensday - our first baby

Joining Cheryl for a Way back Wednesday.
Playing with Angie for Wordful Wednesday....

Today, exactly 8 years ago, this little furball became part of our family.

Through the years she has traveled far and wide with us.

Shared many magic moments.

Even played model.

And looked after me during each pregnancy. In fact, she acted weird and knew each time even before I knew. She even wore a pink cowboy hat for Tuesday's parade.
She welcomed each new addition to the family with enthusiasm. She is truly every body's friend and companion.




Now, the years are starting to show. Her muzzle is greying a bit and we can see she is slowing down slightly - which in her case just translates to being a normal dog and not over active.

Sweet Moya, we love you our first baby. You will always be our first little girl. Love, Mommy.

Friday photo finish fiesta - my sweet girlies.

Hosted by Carrie.

My sweet girls, my first kids,

Tonight mommy's tired, they day's been long. The week's been long with gran in the hospital and daddy busy with studies. Work's been tough. But tonight finds me sitting at the laptop, Moya's head resting on my lap. Bongi, you are curled on my feet, keeping them nice and warm. I am peaceful and contend.


Although you are not getting all the attention you used to get, although your walks may be more limited and you may be reprimanded to be good to the 3 little human monsters, you stay eternally faithful and loving. You are such great big sisters.

Moya you were the very first one to know that mommy was pregnant every time. In fact the first time we thought you were sick, the second time around we knew you were just looking after mommy. Bongi, you are such a great babysitter - every time you looked after those babies in their first week. You just slept wherever they were, and stuck to it, no matter what.

Sometimes mommy wonders if she can clicker train the human kids. You guys did so well with it. If I say sit, you sit. If I say stay, you stay. Not so with the other 3. Maybe M&M's and your clickers will work?

In any event, mommy just want to tell you that you girls rock! I love you to bits.

Love
Forever your mommy.

A day in the park with 5 kids and 2 dogs.

So how do you take a walk to the park with 2 adults, 5 kids and 2 dogs? Like this!
Some highlights:








And we all had heaps of fun.

Two for Tuesday

A man and his dog.

Little man L had an affinity for the dogs from day 1 - he loves them! Endless play possibilities to follow in years to come.

Pop over to Deanna's for some more handsome two-somes. And please do not forget to read my post below.