At the beach

We were at the beach the last few days, hoping to escape the early week heat. We didn't. But then the heat broke, and it was amazing.

My favorite time on the beach is early morning. Just me and my coffee and the waves. Also, late late afternoon with a cocktail.

My brother-in-law insisted on putting up this umbrella. It was windy. But not that windy. I guess half shade is better than no shade.

E loves her Uncle D.  She wants to be him in his hat and glasses.

Here's my niece all snuggled up on mommy's lap. She's not a big fan of sharing her daddy.

Oh and yes, I was there. As evidenced by my self portrait. And the fact that I am the only one taking photos.
 

Countdown to puppydom

I probably shouldn't say anything for fear of jinxing it, but...

we're getting a puppy next Saturday!

We liked this breeder so much more. We didn't feel like we we're walking on eggshells or defending ourselves. She knows the other breeder, agreed with our opinion of her and sympathized with our story.

Some things happen for a reason.

Moving On

If you've been following the puppy posts, you understand it's been a traumatic few days. We have seethed over what went wrong. We tried our hardest to play the nice game, but Sue made it clear that my anger over her misinformation was the breaking point. Although when I look back on the previous posts, there's an underlying theme: we always felt our fate the puppy was hanging by a thread. She was on the fence about us from the very beginning.

I've told this story to nearly everyone I know. I even tried to defend her position, but everyone is on our side. Considering how much we were paying for the dog, we had every right to expect her to get it right, and to get upset when she didn't. For her to call my reaction "horrifying" is ludicris, let alone a gross overreaction. I simply looked at her. Not nicely. But I didn't even raise my voice.

There is no way we could tell the girls that they weren't getting a dog. I wasn't letting this lunatic affect my children.

As soon as I had my computer revved up I jumped on the AKC website looking for new breeders, not expecting to find much. My experience has only been with Sue, and her puppies were spoken for before they were born. I figured that's the norm.

Not so.

Tonight, we're off to meet a new breeder with a fabulous reputation and two puppies.

The best part? They know Sue. They all run in the same circles these dog people. And before we even told our story, they offered their opinion ... she's a bitch. Ha! After sharing our story, they said it wasn't the first time they heard something like that with her involved. 

I feel so much better!

However, we didn't let Sue off the hook without a response. The hubs called her. We wanted to understand. Ultimately, she didn't feel as though we would have a good relationship. Apparently, when you get a puppy from her, you also get her friendship. Lucky.

And then he let her have it.

I'm sure we will look back and realize this was all for the best. I don't have enough time in my life for any more insanity.

So, crossing my fingers that tonight goes well. And, if so, we could have a puppy by next Saturday.

No Puppy for YOU!

Well, she did it.

She fucking did it.

That insane dog lady sent our deposit check back without the fucking courtesy of a motherfucking phone call. And no fucking explanation whatsoever other than, After reflecting, we are not a good match.

Two weeks before we are supposed to bring home the puppy.

I hope all 12 of her dogs shit in her bed.

The flake and the puppy

I have a low tolerance for people. And when I am so utterly irritated and annoyed with certain people, I want nothing to do them.


Imagine that?

But, because we’ve made a commitment to our beloved children and for fear of the traumatic damage we would do to them, I cannot back away from my current source of anger. The breeder.

This whole puppy-getting process has been painful. Painful in the sense that you have to be nice and ass-kissy to someone who is pissing you off completely. Do you know that pain? It has consumed me in the last 12 hours. I’ve had conversations with this woman in my head. And they haven’t been PG-rated. At all.

From the very beginning, we have been defending ourselves in the name of being good puppy caretakers. First, it was because hubs and I both work. So we had to assure her several times that we had a “plan” in place with dog walkers and other assorted people on hand to love the puppy at a moment’s notice. Then, we had to tell her explicably several times that we were interested in a dog. Oh sorry. Yes. Please. We. Want. A. Puppy. From. You. In no uncertain terms.

And now, because of her own miscommunication and my poorly disguised reaction to that blatant miscommunication, we (*I*) have to defend ourselves yet again. In a nutshell, when we went to see the puppies there was confusion about from which litter we were getting one. She initially told us one, but she had us on the list for the other. All puppies are spoken for. Apparently, my “attitude” regarding her fuck up “horrified” her. She thought we felt like we were “settling” and she didn’t want the the puppy to go where it wouldn’t be loved. Now, I don’t know this woman well enough to show her my real attitude. And yes, it can be horrifying. But she did not see my horrifying attitude. And love? We've got nothing but puppy love.

After I raged all night in my head about the things I would like to say to this woman, I carefully crafted this ever so polite and ass-kissy email. Read on.

“{Hubs} said he spoke with you yesterday (she called wanting us to confirm that we were okay with a puppy from the other litter, even though we already told her in person that we were) and I wanted to affirm that we are 100% thrilled with any dog with receive from you. My earlier confusion was entirely based on our initial visit. At that time, we seemed to be focusing on “K” and “W”; and you mentioned only two females were spoken for from them. So when we left I was fully anticipating a puppy from them. Until we came to see the puppies on Saturday I didn't know otherwise. I'm sure between our first visit and when we fully committed other puppies were spoken for, which I completely understand. (Yet you neglected to tell us.) It just didn't occur to me, which is why you saw my surprised and confused reaction. (aka my horrifying attitude) I want to emphasize that it's not important to us which parents the puppy comes from, as long as it's healthy and you believe it's the right match for us. We will love it completely no matter what. I sincerely apologize if I offended you in any way. (Fuck you, you lunatic!)”

Kindly,
Stephanie

I want nothing more than to be rid of this woman. If you read my puppy post about her broken doorbell, it’s apparent she’s flighty. Now I feel like our chance of getting a puppy is barely hanging on by a thread. At any moment she could decide we’re not fit puppy parents and send us our money back. If children weren't involved, this would have ended weeks ago. And not so politely.

Lotsa Puppies

This past weekend, we made the long, very anticipated, trek to see the puppy herd. 2 litters. 4 and 5 weeks old. 16 puppies.

We eagerly waited, and waited, and waited, for the owner to answer the door. Surely if she's having an open house she would be around to answer the door. There are several cars in the driveway yet it appears quiet. We look in windows. We start wandering around the property. Perhaps there's another entrance? But wouldn't she leave a sign? After driving for over an hour, standing in 100 fucking degrees, I'm quickly wilting and my patience was shot years ago. We are utterly baffled. We call. And get voice mail. What the fuck?

Finally, after the hubs went off in search of yet another possible entrance, the owner came running to the door. Oh so sorry she was. The doorbell isn't working. Seriously? You're having an open house. Expecting the buyers of 16 puppies to show, and you don't put a sign on the door? Flake!

We make our way inside and find the first litter, six puppies who are 5 weeks old. Another couple and their two young daughters are in the pen. I immediately feel competitive. I want the best dog of course. The woman is planted right smack in the center of the pen leaving no other room for my girls to get in. I want her to get the hell up. It takes her a couple more minutes to sense the get-the-fuck-out vibes I was sending her way, and she does. So in we go...

It wasn't long before E connected with one. Love at first sight I dare say. This is the one I want. This one. She's mine mine mine.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, we don't pick the puppy. After temperament testing, the owner will match us with the least aggressive, most low key puppy known to mankind. Could be this one. Honestly, they all looked exactly alike.

I liked this one. Docile. Right up my alley.

The litter our puppy is coming from is just 4 weeks old. These little guys. There are 10 of them. You stick your arms into the whelping box and your fingers are toast.

They will do backbends to get to your fingers. They don't care to be pet. They just want to munch. With their little pointy teeth. Munch.

The girls said their good-byes. They couldn't tear themselves away. But E's was very drawn out. Her soul mate.

Only three weeks until homecoming.

Sew Excited

I'm so excited. I just signed up for this!

It's coming

Hello. *knock knock* Hi! I'm still out here. I haven't forgotten about my blog. I know you're all just itching to know why I'm not posting. Right? I mean your days aren't the same without a little snark from me. Right. Anyway, I hate to see the days go by and my poor neglected blog sit unattended. I mean, is life so monotonous that I have nothing to say about anything? Apparently. One friend offered to guest post for me, but he wanted to write about cars. Blech. Hey M, how about a daddy post about life with a 3 1/2 year old who's finally starting to sleep in his own bed? That would be entertaining.

Things are, however, about to get really interesting in my house in a few short weeks. Against all my perfectly logical and sound reasoning, against my flat out refusals, I am about to be launched into a new life with a puppy. A P.U.P.P.Y. I can feel my blood getting warm as I type it. While cute and totally lovable, a puppy grows into a dog. A big, shedding, pooping, smelly-when-wet, requires-my-attention D.O.G.

I am so NOT mentally prepared. AT ALL.

In just a few days we are going to meet the puppies. They are just 5 weeks old. And I will love them. Because who doesn't love a puppy? Do you see what I am up against?

The hubs is ready to place a large wager on the fact that because I so adamantly don't want a dog that I'm going to get sucked right in and have a new best friend. Me and the dog. Snuggling on the couch. Taking long walks together. Frolicking in the fields. Inseparable buddies.

Clearly, he doesn't know me.

Because if there is shit involved? And it is not coming from one of my own offspring? I want nothing to do with it. AT ALL.

NOT AT ALL.

Stay tuned.

Peanuts

I'm so tired of hearing in my head, "What the hell!"
Ever feel like you need a break from everything?