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More crazy to our crazy:)

Sooo…I’m not what I would say is a dog person. BUT I have 3 boys and a little girl…so I knew at SOME point they would want a pet. I asked my dear Facebook friends for advice…and I got everything from what breeds we should think about to personal emails telling me NOT to do it…for a variety of reasons. SO…we went in JUST LOOKING…and with a checklist.

It went like this…
Hypoallergenic.
Lab, Collie or Golden Retriever.
Non shedding.
Outside dog.
Older puppy.
Male.
GO in and make a list…come home and do the research…

ALL the while I could hear the advice “your life is crazy already…get a fish”…

I truly tried to pump my oldest up that he really needed a fish. “Mom, what happened to our last fish? AND–this will be my dog…my responsibility…”

We went to look…WITH our list…and the funniest part was Richard wasn’t with us because he had an appointment else where. I forgot to tell him about our little outing UNTIL our ride home. (I’m married to a man just as crazy as me…and thankfully we both roll with just about anything:).

We played with puppies…we played with labs…we played with a Saint Bernard that knocked us all over and had my side hurting I was laughing SO HARD! I kept trying to tell the worker that he was NOT the dog for us but all I could get out laying there on the ground with a Saint Bernard over me was, “I don’t think, I don’t think…” I could hardly catch my breath—and Parker, Laney AND Frank had ALL climbed the fence and where screaming at mommy laying on the ground laughing her side off! Isaac was in the stroller and didn’t think it was funny. AND THEN…in came Rosie…

She didn’t fit ANYTHING on our list.

SHE is a 3 year old mut mixed breed:). A little shephard…who knows what else–you can tell she is a shedder…she should be an outside dog but she’s spent more time inside than out…but she is the SWEETEST little thing. And she just might cure my dog fear and soften my heart to furry critters a bit. I SAID A BIT. THIS GUY on the other hand…he’s head over heels…

And how do you say no to THAT?

So imagine this. Rich calls at noon to ask where we are. AT THE TIME we were just leaving church and crusing north. So…I said just that. Then we kept cruising. And 3.5 hours later we had spent 3 hours at the animal shelter—and we were on our way home. He called again to say he was on his way home–asked where we were and I responded, “Oh–just leaving the animal shelter.” SILENCE. “Um–Ang…you didn’t get a dog DID YOU?” I respond–“Oh no, not a DOG…um–I wouldn’t call her a dog..maybe an older toddler. I mean…a 3 year old is a toddler still right?” Nice huh…gotta love a hubby who rolls with it:)

So…once AGAIN…I said I did something I said I’d never do. And best of all–when you get a dog from the humane society they aren’t expensive and her monthly upkeep should be less than a trip or Wii video game. And since Parker and Laney are often STUCK home with TWO babies napping (no gas needed!) and this house has a no video game mush to your brain policy…a dog to run and play with and learn responsiblity and compassion might have seemed crazy to some…but for us–I think adding this crazy to our already crazy seemed like a perfect fit:).

The only problem so far–I got woken up at 7am NOT by Rosie–but by a bright-eyed little boy asking if he could go let Rosie out and play with her. So far so good…and I promise our next addition will just be a fish…I think;).

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Melanie - January 3, 2011 - 2:08 pm

I just LOVE how it looks like she has “hearts” outlining her eyes! Look closely…can you see it? PERFECT for your family with such BIG hearts! 🙂

Alison - January 3, 2011 - 2:10 pm

Oh my goodness!! Rosie it just adorable!!!! My kids are begging for a dog too! Gonna try to hold them off for a few more years…hopefully! 🙂

Gini - January 3, 2011 - 2:32 pm

She is beautiful! It sounds like she’ll be a pretty cool addition to your family. 🙂 (BTW, LOVE the new photos in your header!)

Joy - January 3, 2011 - 2:36 pm

Oh, she’s lovely! And I doubt she will shed any more than a lab, golden, or collie, if that’s any comfort 🙂 And…having her indoors lots is likely to be good for monitoring interactions and helping her develop all kinds of comfort around kids and people in general…Sure, there’s the occasional inconvenience to having a dog, but I think they far outweigh any of that with what they add to life! Enjoy 🙂

Dee Dee Aarseth - January 3, 2011 - 2:51 pm

We have a girl mut and she is THE best. I personally think that mixed breeds are WAY better…something about all that pure bred over and over can kinda blow up in your face sometimes. Anyways I think you did perfectly, girl dogs are much more lady like if you know what I mean… 🙂 a girl is a good choice…you need to balance out that testosterone in your house!

Erin - January 3, 2011 - 2:52 pm

Awe, Andrea!! Rosie is such a cutie!! I LOVED reading this story, b/c I felt like I was reading my life! Only, we don’t have a dog, and we haven’t traveled to Ethiopia YET for our little one…I felt like I was reading my future story. We are telling our oldest “not yet,” and he LOVES dogs. LOVES THEM. I have said, “Definitely not a dog that sheds…”!! HA! We will see if it turns out like yours! 🙂

Kelly Johnson - January 3, 2011 - 3:23 pm

She is precious!!! Dogs are the best! Ours is part of our family for sure and our little girl’s bestest friend. She is a lab and sheds more than any dog I’ve ever seen in my life…but every hair is worth it. You made a great decision and did it with your heart–the best way. :c)

Jennifer - January 3, 2011 - 3:45 pm

Nice. I use a dremel on my dogs’ nails. ..just a thought. I got it at Lowe’s, and the one absolutely loves, loves, loves it. She runs and gets on her side when I unplug the charger from the wall. If she had her way she would have them dremeled every day, but the nails don’t grow fast enough.

Jenny - January 3, 2011 - 7:12 pm

Love it!!! This is so sweet!

Bonnie Nieuwstraten - January 3, 2011 - 10:53 pm

Oh, I am laughing! Because I also had a very firm NO dog policy (kind of like my firm NO retreat policy!!) but in late October I also fell prey and we now have an adorable little lhasa who makes me crazy! Have fun!

Jennifer - January 4, 2011 - 12:29 am

OK, I am a reader of your blog and several others, but very rarely comment. But, today I have to. We, too adopted our number 4–from China in March of this year and it has been an AMAZING blessing. I have SO enjoyed so much of what you say about adoption and God’s heart for orphans. AND, how funny is this? Just got a new puppy 3 weeks ago! Definitely more crazy to the already crazy! But-great…and I agree, kids, especially boys, need a dog! Enjoy!

Kim - January 4, 2011 - 7:16 am

You are living the dream! Oh my … Rosie is adorable. I am going to have to sign off quickly before the kids catch a glimpse of your new four legged family member. My older boys have been searing Hong Kong dog rescue website for weeks. I’d give them the green light, but Daddy O isn’t there yet. You got me wondering what would happen if I just did it! Not sure he would roll with it! Ha!

Kim - January 4, 2011 - 7:18 am

P.S. Your new header is over the top cute. But it looks like it is missing a new four legged member of the family?!

Sheila - January 4, 2011 - 12:07 pm

LOVE it! Just what your kids needed and over time you will realize you needed too!

marci - January 4, 2011 - 1:51 pm

PRECIOUS addition to family….real love and play ahead and years of sweetness with Rosie onboard !

Debb - January 4, 2011 - 6:42 pm

Awwww……this dog-lover LOVES this story! Rosie captures my heart via pics, so I can imagine what she is doing to yours! Good move, mom! I agree……what a great present for Parker and Laney! and the rest of the fam! I can’t wait for the post that speaks of how much your hubby has fallen in love with her! {grin}

Rachel Campbell - January 5, 2011 - 1:45 pm

I’m so excited for you guys!!!! All little kids deserve a Dog 😉 … this coming from “very MUCH a dog person” 🙂 Its Good crazy.

christie - January 5, 2011 - 9:51 pm

We have a mixed breed dog. She is getting ready to turn 8. She has been the BEST dog I have ever met 🙂 It seems that mixed breeds are best. Congrats on the new addition to the fam!