Looking Back
Time passes so quickly. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were waiting for midnight, holding our breath, hoping that the Y2K Bug didn’t wipe out all computer systems in the world! (Year 2000). Yet here it is, 2017… already.
Last January, I told you about my approach to a new year. (Resolutions or Goals?) I also promised to check in with you January 2017, to let you know how I did. I accomplished 3.5 of my 6 goals. Not perfect, but okay, since the year before I had accomplished 2 of 5 goals. I’m improving, and that is all I can ask for.
If you set goals or made resolutions at the beginning of the year, how did you do?
The beginning of a new year is not the only time that we set goals or make decisions about life. Life is fluid and we are constantly evaluating our circumstances and decisions, making adjustments as required.
Did you read my post of September 22, 2016, “1 or 2 dogs?” My husband and I were trying to decide whether or not to get a second dog. We were thankful for all of the solid advice we received from you. Based upon that, we decided not to get another dog.
And then, on December 16th, we received a text from our daughter, with a copy of a Facebook Post.
My husband and I looked at each other and, without discussion and said, “Let’s get her!”
Sometimes the heart wins.
So now we are the owners of 2 Bichons: Riley, who is 11 years old, and Stella, who is the 10 month old.
Stella was in desperate need of a haircut, and needed treatment for 2 ear infections and an eye infection. She is not house-trained (although we were led to believe she was). And she is very skittish, leading us to believe she has been traumatized in some way.
It’s been an adjustment for all of us as we learn Stella’s schedule and personality, and as she learns ours. We’re getting there.
But the important thing is that she is a sweetheart and has already grabbed our hearts. Riley is so gentle with her, and lets her jump all over him in her puppy-playfulness. He gets a little annoyed when she bites his ears, but who can blame him for that?
My husband and I entertain ourselves by imagining what each dog is saying to the other, as well as to us. Our imagined conversations are probably much more entertaining than what is really being “said,”….. but we mostly think we have it right.
Even though they fight over the same toys and vie for our attention, at the end of the day, Riley and Stella have become friends.
And that’s what matters the most.
Comments (17)
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How cute Karen! I’m so happy you got another puppy. Love unlimited.
They look so much alike. I’m sure they are great companions to each other and to you. Enjoy them!
I am soooo happy you got another dog. Riley will be better off! Terri and I laugh all the time over our two kitties! 2 is always better than 1. They have company! I’m proud of you!
Thanks, De.. She is a delight! We just have to get the house-training thing under control now!
My daughter works with animal rescue in the Charlotte NC area and she would be happy that you really ‘rescued’ this little pup from a life of uncertainty to a life of love. Stella is so adorable, how could you not take ger!
Wonder if Riley will share the Sees candy or if Stella will narc on him if he does get hold of some. 😉
Sounds to me that you were the answer to Stella’s prayers. Sometimes we’re chosen, not the other way around.
I’m sure there’s a happily ever after in there. Enjoy!
I am so happy for you. I envy you. Two bichons would be heaven to me. Double the fun and love.
I have a rescued bichon. They are generally very intelligent, sweet and playful but this one has so many issues because he was so mistreated for 6 years. It took a while but his intelligence came through. When he was comfortable with us, he learned all the things he should have learned years ago and quickly. Stella will do the same..
I always love hearing about or seeing pictures of Riley. So I hope you will continue with both Riley & Stella. Someday, perhaps you will be able to put them into a kit. You never see Bichons or greyhounds pictured.
Grady is my fur-baby that is now a ‘Velcro’ dog like Riley.
I am so happy too that you got another dog. I have always thought it wasn’t fair to the one dog only and have had two until this year when my Nina doggie died. Poor little Wilbur doesn;t like to be alone and I haven’t got him a new friend yet. When we took the grandkids to the animal shelter yesterday so they could deliver their couple of cases of pet food and a stack of blankets to keep the sheltered dogs and cats warm, there were mainly large, large dogs available for adoption. We have a list of shelters that the kids will select from for each month’s donations. Little Stella is one lucky dog to have her new home with you. I bet Riley teaches her the house-training rules. That is what I have found out over the years with my adoptions. It was so much fun watching Nina bark to get Wilbur to go outside with her. Seemed like it was almost overnight that Wilbur knew to use the doggie door and go outside with Nina.
[…] And then how we made the decision to get Stella? (Looking back). […]