Puppy Lovin'

It's a good thing I have nothing to do because I'm doing really good with this updating thing. :)


Anyway. Yesterday had some disappointments. Claire went to drop off my ticket at the Madison Police Station before her interview at Crestwood Hospital. They told her that they've had some problems in the past with other police signing tickets so they wouldn't accept it. Yesterday was my last day I could turn it in before I would have to go to court so I left work and swung by to pick up Claire and the ticket and went to take care of that. We waited at least a half an hour before someone got there to check the light. We told him I needed an equipment check, we went outside, I flashed my lights from low to high beam and then we were done. After we got in the car I kvetched to Claire... something along the lines of "hmm, imagine that. I, nor the cop who signed my ticket weren't lying when we said I had fixed it". Oh well. I got over it.


The second disappointment was the dog I wanted, Dory, on the left, had been adopted only hours before I was due up to Tennessee. Claire and I instead head over to Decatur, AL about 30 mins away. I had been looking online some more and saw that there was a Beagle named Lilly living there. I initially went to look at her but instead ended up looking at all the dogs. The first one I picked up was adorable. She was this little black bundle of energy. She had a sibling who was in the cage with her and was white and just as cute. She stayed asleep the entire time we were in there. Claire and I joked I wanted the one who's tail wouldn't stop wagging. Claire wanted the one that was asleep. Anyway, I pick up the black one. She was literally the size of my hand. I held her while Claire and I talked. She was a cutie, but we wanted a little larger of a dog. Personally, I want a dog that can jump up on my bed and sleep next to me. Not one that I would smush when I rolled over. She was sweet, but not exactly what we were looking for. We play with a Basset Hound for awhile but realise he was a little too lethargic for us.


We move into the larger area to look more. We walk into the puppy area and there are two other dogs about the size of the black one from before, one male, the other female. Their paws were larger than would be proportionate for their body so they would be a little bigger, later on, but they just didn't seem right. There were a few other puppies we talked about but for one reason of another they weren't what we were looking for. We walked around the larger area and said hi to those dogs. It was sad. I know I can't rescue them all, but I wanted to. Claire mentioned it seemed like they were in jail cells. A rather bony German Shepherd was adopted while we were there. Claire and I were excited about that. At least one more got out.


Anyway, we go back to the puppy area and Claire falls in love with this fluffy black little girl. We were ready to adopt her but we started wondering how large she would get since she looked part Lab. They said she was just a baby and would get to be about 40 pounds. We weren't sure because her paws were so tiny, but we didn't want to risk it. We knew if we fell in love with her and trained her and all and then she grew to be too big, it would break both of our hearts to give her away. She was a sweetie and fell asleep in Claire's arms for the most part of the conversation. When we put her back in her cage she was a lot happier than when we first took her out. She's a sweetie and I hope she gets adopted by someone who has a huge yard for her to romp in. After I consoled Claire for awhile we decided to walk around some more. There were dogs that would be perfect for when we both have houses. But until then, they were ruled out.


I had walked by this white dog a few times but had kept going because he was a boy and I wanted a girl. But for some reason, I kept going back to him. He's a Schnauzer Terrier Mix. He's white with black eyes and nose. His ears stick up and he looks funny. But when I saw him and stopped, he got up and his tail started wagging.
We talked to the staff there and they said he was about a year old. He is full grown and under the weight requirement for the apartment. The more we went over to his cage the more he got excited. We took him out and played with him for awhile. We took him to the fenced yard behind the shelter. While Claire and I were talking, he decided to sit down next to me and looked around. He would look up at us every once in awhile and then ended up laying down next to my feet. When we had finished talking I ran around the yard with him for awhile. He had the biggest grin and kept up with me while I ran back and forth and around in circles. Claire told me to see if he would let me pick him up. He did and Claire took a picture of us to send to her family. While I was holding him he started giving me kisses. I decided then that he was our newest family member. His name is Orson. I'm thinking I'll change it to either Pete (Conrad) or Gus (Grissom). We're not sure right now about the name but we've been talking about it for awhile. Claire thinks its hilarious that he'll then be Petey Beattie. I'm already feeling sorry for the dog. :) He's getting fixed on Tuesday and I can pick him up that afternoon. I'm already leaving work early and the cable guy is coming from 4-6. Boo. I'm going to have to go over and pick him up on Wednesday. :(


After we left the pound we headed to Harvest, AL to have pizza. :D We ate at Village Pizza and it was yummy. We got a large pizza so we would have enough to take home as well as breadsticks (of which we had none to take home) and cinnamon sticks. If I hadn't of gotten so full, I would have kept eating. Oohh its good food! We left there and went over to Athens, AL to stop at the Russell Stover Store. I got caramel apples. Yum. Claire got some random candy and I think she was pretty pleased. I joked that we could head over to Athens State... There were Runts at the candy store. :) Claire told me if I really wanted to I could. We didn't.


We go to Petsmart to get a few final things for the dog (bones, a collar, etc) since it's full grown. Claire will be going home Saturday morning and will get the last things we need from her house (pet carrier, nail clipper, etc). I'm super excited. And I don't care what Claire says, he's sleeping in the pink bed I got him! :)


We get home from all the shopping, put stuff away, talk for a little bit and then both of us get tired. We head to bed around 8:30. I call mom when I get into my room and then fall asleep. This morning when I got up, the water pressure was incredibly low so I sent my alarm for a little later and went back to bed. When I got up the final time and it was still low, I decided I can wait to take a shower when I get home today. Right as I was leaving, I checked the water and it was up to full strength. Yup. That's the way it goes... I went into work today at 6:30ish and will be leaving around 2:30. Adam is coming over for a little. He is going back to the Hab early so he can finish his reading for class.


I just got an email from Lockheed Martin Houston asking me to call in for a telecon, so I'm going to go and figure out just how to do that seeing as my phone is now in a different room. Hmmm.


Peace, Love and Caramel Apples,
-m