Tail Wagging Tuesday: Special Pup Feature- Josie

This week's Tail Wagging Tuesday special feature pup belongs to one of my sweet readers.  Adriane wrote me and said she would like to share her little Josie's story.  I was so excited to read the interview, and now I'm super excited to share it with you guys. :)  Here's what Adriane has to say...

What kind of dog is Josie?  How old is she? 

     I’ve estimated Josie to be 10 months old from when she got her big girl teeth a couple months back. So her birthday will be celebrated with mine in November! We are still very stumped about what Josie actually is! I’ve spent hours and hours searching the internet, but I haven’t come any closer to figuring her out. When we adopted her, we were told by one person that she was a Spaniel mix, another said she was a Lab mix, and someone said she was a Collie mix. Our vet said she has German shepherd in her. She is very much a mutt, but she is probably the prettiest, most regal looking mutt I’ve ever seen! I was never a fan of black dogs (no idea why!) before we adopted her, but I think she has helped me to see past the color because now I can’t get enough. Because of her, we’ve started fostering black labs for a rescue!

Where did you get Josie?  What's her story?

      Josie is my first rescue baby. One day I was on facebook looking at impounded dogs (an animal-lover I know of dedicates a page to the local animal shelter and posts all of the dogs needing homes everyday), and I came across the sweetest face. Underneath the picture there were dozens of comments indicating that she was going to be put down soon (our Animal Control is a high kill shelter, and kills 80% of the animals that they intake), and concerned facebookers were asking if anyone could just foster her until they could find her a home. I half-heartedly showed the picture to my boyfriend, Steven, saying "aw let's go save her!" but we had said it half-jokingly about many other dogs we'd seen online. It wasn't that we didn't want to save them; we just weren't if we could make the commitment since we are both college students, I have a job, boyfriend is in the National Guard, and we have very busy schedules in general (somehow it works though!). In the end, there was just something about this picture that made me drive all the way down to Animal Control to at least meet her. When I got there, she wasn't there! I looked through all of the enclosed areas about 3 times over looking for her cute face. I finally asked someone, who told me she had just been adopted! I was happy she was saved but a little disappointed since I’d been getting used to the idea of having a puppy. When I got home, I went back to the picture and read that the person who had adopted her was just going to foster her until they found her a home. I immediately messaged the person, saying that I wanted her, and a couple hours later she was mine!

How did Josie get her name?

      I wish there was a better story behind her name, but the simple fact is, I CANNOT make up my mind when it comes to naming anything! I was afraid we would have to go days with no name for her, so I asked a friend of mine. She suggested Josephine, which is a name that I have always loved, and it is one that can be shortened! We have never called her Josephine, since dogs respond best to 2-syllable names, and Josie is just easier anyway.

What are Josie's favorite things to do?  Things that make her unique? Crazy quirks or special sweet things she does? 

     Josie will chew on pretty much ANYTHING. “My dog ate my homework” is a scenario that could very likely happen in our house! In fact, paper and cardboard are her favorite things to eat. Toys do not last very long with her. I have not yet found a toy that can withstand her destruction, and believe me I’ve tried all of the expensive ones! I’ve lost many pairs of leather sandals to Josie, a laptop cord, and most recently, my debit card! She doesn’t seem to like chewing up Steven’s things as much, but she LOVES to put holes in his army socks. Besides causing mayhem with chewed up debit cards (haha), one of Josie’s favorite things to do is play chase. She will play fetch, but she thinks being chased is WAY more fun. Something funny, that I guess you could say is unique about Josie is what we call her “poop” bark. She definitely lets us know when she REALLLLLY has to go, and I never tire of hearing it because it is SO hilarious! I joke that Josie has trained US, because she does things to get her way. She will bring her bowl to you if she thinks she needs food or water, and sometimes if we are watching TV or doing homework, she will purposely walk by with something in her mouth (that she isn’t supposed to have) so you will pay attention to her instead.

  

What makes [Josie so special to you and your family?  What does she mean to you?

      Josie is so special to us because she is our first fur baby. Having this new responsibility really made mine and Steven’s relationship grow in good ways, and I really feel like our love for this pup has brought us closer together. I cannot imagine life without her, she brings so much happiness and laughter into our tiny apartment! One of the biggest reasons coming to college and being away from home was so hard was because I didn’t have my dogs. I will always be a HUGE lover of dogs (Steven is as well), and I think life is just so much better with them! Coming home is one of the greatest parts of my day, whether I’ve been gone for 10 minutes or 3 hours, because no matter what Josie will greet you as if it’s been 10 years! She keeps me company when Steven is gone, and she always cheers me up when I need it. She is just such a great companion for the both of us and we have become a family with her!

If there's anything you think should be shared and it wasn't asked in a question, share it here.  :)

      Josie has a foster brother! Having Josie has brought me in contact with other people who love animals, and I’ve become aware of the vast amount of dogs that need homes in our shelters. The reality is, most black dogs do not make it out of the shelter, and Josie probably wouldn’t have if there weren’t people out there who cared. Because of this, we decided to foster dogs. We took on 2 black labs (in addition to Josie) in our apartment, and it was hard in the beginning but SO worth it!  We have since found a home for one of them, but Josie still has Mongo as a playmate. Fun fact about Mongo: He absolutely LOVES car rides and will jump into any car with a door/window open! When he gets really excited, he does a little dance trot with his feet. He is one of the sweetest dogs ever and we will miss him when he goes to a new home! (Mongo is the dog on the right in the picture)  

Thank you so much Adriane for sharing Josie with us!  This story is just one more reminder of how incredibly wonderful shelter dogs are.  Remember them the next time you want to add a furry member to your family. :)

Just as a reminder-  I donate $10 of every sale in my shop to an animal charity.  Do a little Christmas shopping and find a crochet hat or scarf for someone special.  It'll benefit you and some animals in need!

Tail Wagging Tuesday: Special Pup Feature- Jasper the Dachshund

It's time for another Tail Wagging Tuesday!  This week I get to share with you a sweet pup that belongs to one of my childhood friends Carli.  She was sweet enough to agree to an interview so we can meet her sweet Jasper. :)

What kind of dog is Jasper?  How old is he?  
Jasper is a Standard dachshund. He is 2 years old. Turned 2 on September 30.

Where did you get Jasper?  What's his story? 
Brent and I were building our house and the man that was doing some work was late one morning because he had to help his dog deliver her puppies. He asked Brent if we wanted one and Brent said no, but later what kind or they? The man said dachshunds, so Brent said yeah we'd take one. We got first pick, and we chose Jasper.

How did Jasper get his name?  
I didn't have a name for him for close to 2 weeks.  Then my friends and I went to  dinner before seeing Twilight New Moon and I said Jasper! Im going to name him Jasper. Brent liked it too so thats what we named him.

What are Jasper's favorite things to do?  Things that make him unique?  Crazy quirks or special sweet things he does?  
Jasper is with me everyday. He goes everywhere with me if I can help it, so when I get ready to leave he runs to the door, gets my flip flop and throws it at me.  He is the only dog I have ever had that eats ice like it's a dog treat. 

What makes Jasper so special to you and your family?  What does he mean to you?  
In 2006 my husband Brent got a dachshund from the animal shelter and named him Carlos. They only had him a few years and he got hit by a car. It broke all of our hearts and Jasper helps us feel better because he looks just like Carlos.  To me, personally, Jasper keeps me company. When Brent and I first got married, for the first 8 months he worked from 4:00pm-12:00am so having Jasper here gave me someone to talk to.  Plus he is always with me everyday, so he's like having a baby to take care of. 
 
If there's anything you think should be shared and it wasn't asked in a question, share it here.  :)

From the day we got Jasper Brent and I have thought that his paws smell like Nacho cheese doritos.  We always joke that we are going to call the dorito company and get him on a commercial.

Thank you Carli for sharing Jasper with us!

If you have a special pup, kitty, or any other furry or feathered friend you'd like to share, please let me know!  I'd love to feature your pet!  Just e-mail me at TailsToTell [at] Live [dot] com, and we can set up an "interview." 

Tail Wagging Tuesday: Special Pup Feature- Jack

Hello all!  It's Tuesday and time for another installment of Tail Wagging Tuesday, a special pet feature.  This week my friend Sara let me share her sweet furry guy Jack.  Sara and I met at the dog park in my neighborhood, so I'm super thankful for Jack since he's not only a sweet little guy, but he also introduced me to one of my sweetest friends here on the island.  Here's what Sara has to say about her little guy.  :)

What kind of dog is Jack?  How old is he?
        We're not sure what breed he is, but we think he's mostly Italian greyhound and Basenji. He loves to run, and he's the smartest dog I've ever had. He's also very sensitive. We don't really know anything about Jack before he came to live with us, but we think he'll be two in January. 

Where did you get Jack?  What's his story?
        We had been promising our girls that we could have a dog when we came to live in Hawaii. I knew that I wanted to rescue a puppy that needed a good home. I looked for weeks trying to find the perfect little Curtis family pet. And there he was. The title on his ad said sweet little boy. He was so cute! He had been rescued by a woman who bred beagles, and someone had left him on her doorstep. At the time she had too many dogs, so she couldn't keep him. She brought him over to see if he was a match for our family. He was very scared and needed a lot of love and work, but I knew that he was meant to be ours.

How did Jack get his name?
        He has lots of names, Jack-a-mo, Jaque, big boy, Jack-a-mole. But it's kind of silly how his name came to be Jack. I wanted his name to be Coben, but my husband Jerimy was right, it just didn't fit him. Although I had always wanted a son, but we had two girls. If I'd had a son, I would have named him after my father-in-law Jack. I love my father-in-law very much, and I wanted to be able to honor him by naming his grandson after him. However, that just wasn't meant to be, so Jerimy said, "Well, this is the only chance you will ever have at a boy, so name him Jack."  His little ears perked up when we said Jack, so there you have it... I now have a boy named Jack.

What are Jack's favorite things to do?  Things that make him unique?  Crazy quirks or special sweet things he does?
        He has a million little things that make him him. I could go on forever. Because he has Basenji in him, he yodels, so every time we come home he talks to us and tells us how much he missed us and all about what he did while we were gone. It's really cute. If only he could really talk, I would love to know what he is thinking. When he looks at you, you just know he's thinking something, but he can't tell you.
      He's the best snuggling doggie. He just likes to be with his people. He loves doggie toys of any kind. He loves to fetch his ball and play tug of war. Every night he has to be chased from one room to the other. He loves it! He likes routine and doesn't like to get out of it, so Jerimy has to stay on his schedule every night starting at 7:00. Jack likes to go potty at 7:00, then it's upstairs for his game of chasing, then he waits patiently for the girls to get out of the shower so he can snuggle with them in bed while they are getting their stories read. Then he lays with me while I return emails. At 8:30 every night he must be covered up with his blanket in his bed only by Jerimy. It's so funny to see him wait there each and every night when we're running late in our routine. 

What makes Jack so special to you and your family?  What does he mean to you?
        I love how he goes to each person in the house for what he's needing at that moment. He comes to me to be loved on and  to be taken care of. He goes to Jerimy to playte. He goes to Abby to be fed or petted. He loves to lay with her when she's watching a movie. She rubs his ears and scratches his belly. And he goes to Maggie when he wants to wrestle or needs to go outside to potty. We make her do that a lot.
       He just gives us endless love. If you are in the mood to play, he is too. If you are in the mood to snuggle on the couch, he is too. He's taken a lot of work, but I think that has just made him more a part of the family. He had anxiety really bad when we first got him, and he couldn't be left alone for a second. But now he knows that we love him and that we will always come back for him. 

A big thanks to Sara for sharing her story with us!  I am in need of more volunteers to share their pups or kitties or feathered friends in a Tail Wagging Tuesday feature.  If you or someone you know might be interested, please shoot me an e-mail at TailsToTell [at] Live [dot] com.  I'd absolutely love to do a feature on your furry or feathered pal!

Tail Wagging Tuesday: Special Pup Feature- Sharpie

This week's special pup belongs to a friend from back home who also happens to be new to the blog-o-sphere. Mary Beth is just starting out with her blog Berry Sweet Branches, so hop on over and show her some love. :)  For now, we'll see what she has to say about her sweet furry friend named Sharpie.

What kind of dog is Sharpie?  How old is he?

      Sharpie is a Shar Pei mix (not sure with what). He is around 4 1/2 to 5 years old.

 

 

 

Where did you get Sharpie? What's his story?

     I adopted Sharpie two and a half years ago from an adoption organization called Reese's Rescues, and he was being kept at the Animal Care Hospital in Lawrenceville, Georgia. I was a sophomore in college and had transferred from the University of Georgia to a smaller college in Alabama to be close to a guy I was dating at the time. The relationship with said guy had become unstable, and on a weekend visit home to my family, I was enjoying my time with them while also keeping the future of the relationship on the back of my mind. I believe Sharpie was a gift from heaven and was sent to be my little guardian angel because almost out of nowhere, I gained a very strong urge to adopt a dog during my weekend visit home. I have always loved animals, and my family had always had a dog along with a myriad of other pets while I was growing up, but at that point in time, there was no friendly pooch around the house. I began searching online, not even sure of exactly what type of dog I was looking for, and I came across Sharpie's profile on Petfinder. As soon as I clicked on the link that brought up his picture and information, I instantly fell in love. I know that sounds cliche, but I literally knew he was meant to be mine. I immediately inquired about him, and as soon as I received the response that he was still available, I was ready right then to go get him. Long story short-- the relationship ended over the weekend, and I decided to adopt Sharpie and move back in with my parents while I figured out my life situation.

      So, on Monday, I arrived at the Animal Care Hospital as soon as I could to meet Sharpie. I was so excited as I sat in the little room waiting for them to bring him in. They told me that six months before when they arrived to work to open up the office one morning Sharpie was tied to the front of their building. They said he had no fur and was covered in fleas, so they took him in and nursed him back to health. I wondered how anyone could abandon him, but the excitement that I had in looking forward to meeting him helped me push those troubling thoughts aside. As soon as he came through the door, he ran up to me with his wagging curly tail, and my heart melted. I could hardly concentrate on the drive home as he rode in my back seat with his cute little bandana around his neck and looking just as happy as I was. I think he knew he had found his forever home.

     This time for me was a real struggle because I had ended a serious relationship, started the process of moving home, and was about to have to make some major decisions regarding school. Sharpie Man (as I like to call him) was right by my side through it all. He seemed to know when I was having an especially bad day, and he could always make me feel better. He really did help me through the struggle by being the most lovable companion, and he encouraged me to go for walks and helped clear my mind. Without him, my life to this point may have been very different.

 

 

 

How did Sharpie get his name?

     Sharpie is the name that the employees at the Animal Care Hospital gave to him, and I really liked it, so I decided to keep it. A lot of the time now we call him Sharpie-Man (especially when he is doing something cute).

 

 

 

What are Sharpie's favorite things to do?  Things that make him unique?  Crazy quirks or special sweet things he does?

     Some of Sharpie's favorite things to do are sleep, chew on bones, do tricks for treats, sleep, be brushed, and sleep :) He loves to curl up and take a good nap, and most of the time you will find him curled up on his bed sound asleep. When he's not napping, he also likes to do tricks for treats. He is one of the smartest dogs I have ever known and knows commands to sit, lie down, stay, come, heel, shake, crawl, take a bow, stand on his hind legs, play dead, sit like a meerkat, and leave a treat until given permission to gobble it up. Sharpie hates water--he will even tiptoe around a puddle outside, but he does perfectly during a bath (kind of strange).  He also hates cameras, so it's hard to get a good picture of him. He has little ears that are the exact size and shape of a Dorito...sometimes we call him Dorito ears :)  And when he growls, he literally sounds like a panther (I wish I had a recording to share). His growl and bark make him sound extremely vicious, but he is one of the most gentle and sweet dogs I have ever known. He also likes to sit on my feet. It doesn't matter if I am sitting or standing, but if I stay still for a little while, he will either sit or lie down on my feet (which is great during the winter). He is also an ice stealer (so he thinks). If I'm getting ice out of the freezer and drop a piece, he will sneak into the kichen (he normally isn't allowed in there), grab the piece of ice, and then jog back into the living room to eat it. It's like he thinks he's getting away with something, but most of the time I drop a piece on purpose just because I want to see him get it. The sweetest and coolest thing he does may be his smile. If I have been gone all day or have had to leave him with a friend for a short time, when I get back, he waddles up to me and literally smiles. His top lip and nose scrunch up where all you can see are his front little teeth, and he only does this in these situations. I love knowing he gets so excited about my return, and I love proving to him that I will never abandon him.

  

 

 

What makes Sharpie so special to you and your family?  What does he mean to you?

     Sharpie is such a special dog to me because he is the first dog that I can truly call my own, and he is my comfort buddy. He has been there for me through so many difficult times as well as the good times. He is such a great companion, and I love knowing he is at the door waiting for me every time I get home. Sharpie Man is such a great companion, and I am so thankful that he is a part of my family.

 

 

A great big thank you to Mary Beth for taking the time to share her sweet story with us!  

 

 

P.S.  I really need some new interviews to keep this feature going!  I know you guys love your furry and feathered buddies, so if you would like to share one of your sweet stories with us, please, please, pretty please shoot me an e-mail at TailsToTell [at] Live [dot] com.  I'd love to hear from you!

Tail Wagging Tuesday: Special Pup Feature- Amelie

This week's special feature pup belongs to a friend I met many years ago through a scholarship program we were both involved with.  Although we were from different states, and despite the fact that we only hung out in person a handful of times when we were 10 or 12 years old, Elizabeth and I have remained friends courtesy of this amazing thing called the Internet.  She and her beautiful family agreed to share their sweet furry baby, Amelie with us this week.  Let's see what she has to say. :)
 

What kind of dog is Amelie, and how old is she?

     Amelie is a siberian husky. She is 3 years and 5 months old, and the funny thing about her birthday is that it is on the same day as mine! (i just happen to be another 23 years older than her).
 

 

 
What is Amelie's story?  How did she come to live with you?

     Amelie is orginally my dear sister-in-law's dog. When Natalie went back into the army she needed someone to look after her dog and cat for a few months until she could get into off base housing. Her parents took the cat and we took the dog. Since we live in Vermont, we thought our environment would be great for a husky. The first few months were very interesting. Amelie loved the snow and was great at listening, then one day she realized she didn't always have to obey her owners, haha. She ended up staying with us because it took Natalie over a year to get into off base housing and by that time we were definitely too attached to Amelie, who had become a part of our family. Amelie still gets to visit her Aunt Natalie every now and then too.

 

 

 How did Amelie get her name?

     My sister-in-law's favorite movie is Amélie , fitting for her fun loving husky pup. And due to the times when we needed to stress to Amelie that what she did was not so good I gave her the middle name Mae. She now knows that when she hears "Amelie Mae Beaugh" that means she might be in trouble. Also, she has just a handful of other nicknames: Bear, boo bear, sneak or sneaker, rat, and puppy.

 

What are Amelie's favorite things to do?  Any silly things she does or crazy quirks that make her unique?

     Amelie loves her stuffed animal toys. Sometimes we buy her the real ones, not the pet ones, because she loves tearing them apart. She takes off the eyes and nose and then will start to rip off an arm or leg and then proceed to de-fluff the stuffed animal. Amelie really loves to play in the snow, especially when it involves playing with her best friend Missy- who's half husky half German Shepard. Some things that amazed us about Amelie is that for a while she just never barked, we really had to coax her to bark. We once saw a YouTube video of a husky saying "i love you" and wondered if our Amelie could do the same thing. After some time training her she really would repeat to us, "I Love You". It's so cute! Also, Amelie will "sing" if we ask her to. Recently, when our baby boy was just a few days old we asked for Amelie to sing to her baby brother and after some lullaby music was played she started singing to him. It was the funniest and sweetest thing!  Another thing I found to be so strange was how Amelie adored our neighbor's cats. She doesn't get to see them much, but even from their first encounter Amelie and the cats ad a special bond. Amelie even let them lick her face and play with her a bit. Amelie has really been such a good puppy for us. She always listens when we tell her to go get in her kennel or go to her bowl (for a tasty treat) and she's always in the mood to give anyone a good ol kiss! 

What makes Amelie so special to you and your family?  Particular times she's really "been there" or special things she's done?

      My husband and I have been married for 6 years and were recently blessed with a baby boy, who is now 3 months and such a joy to our family. However, the road to having a baby was not quite easy for us. I had trouble getting pregnant and even lost a baby during my first pregnancy. Those moments were so very hard on my husband and I, but somehow we really feel that Amelie was the reason we were able to get through it a little easier. I remember one day having some tears running down my cheeks just thinking about everything that had happened and wondering why, then a moment later Amelie came running into my bedroom and starting licking my face and putting her head in my lap- I hadn't even made a sound! She just somehow knew. She knew the times when my husband needed an extra snuggle or moments when he needed to rough house with her just to get some energy out. I personally never had a pet growing up, so Amelie is the first pet I've ever known and now I can't imagine life without her. She was there for us and continues to be there for us. I now understand why they say dogs are so loyal, so forgiving, and so lovable. She also was an awesome companion during my pregnancy, always being extra cuddley and laying on my feet at night (I hate having cold feet). She was also super protective (no one better mess with me) and compassionate to me when I had my crazy preggo moments (quickly at my side when I was upset). She welcomed her baby brother so easily and didn't get annoyed at his crying or that there was someone else she had to share our attention with. She loves all of us and we love her. Now I understand and I totally agree, dogs really are man's best friend, I know Amelie is definitely one of ours! 

A big thanks to Elizabeth for sharing her sweet Amelie!  I'd love to hear from more of you guys and feature your furry (or feathered) friends.  If you're interested, please shoot me an e-mail at TailsToTell [at] Live [dot]com, and we can set up an "interview." :)

Tail Wagging Tuesday: Special Pup Feature- Ben Wade

This week's special feature belongs to a very special friend of mine here in Hawaii.  SueAnn is a fellow animal lover whose kind heart and compassion shines through all her actions.  She volunteers to guard the honu, or sea turtles, here on the island, she snorkles all the time to spend time with the beautiful fish in the ocean surrounding us, and I've never seen her dislike any furry or feathered animal.  Her little dog Ben Wade seems to be an extension of her heart of gold, so naturally, I had to ask if he could be a special feature.  :)  She said yes.

So.... let's hear what SueAnn has to say about her adorable little Ben Wade.

What kind of dog is Ben Wade, and what made you pick that breed?

     Ben Wade is a Miniature Poodle/Bichon Frise mix.  I am pretty allergic to animal fur/dander, and neither of those breeds shed.

How did Ben Wade come into your life?  Where did you get him? 
     Ben Wade was at a chain pet store in a mall in Virginia Beach.  We would occasionally stop in there to see puppies just because they are cute, and some were in little bins where you could reach over and pet them.  He had a bunch of feces stuck to the hair on his backside and I brought it to the attention of one of the sales persons. She assured me that he was getting a bath later that day, so it would be taken care of. I went back a day or two later, and it was the same thing - all that dried poop in his raggedy looking hair. Bring it up again to the sales personnel and was told the same thing.  Went back again, same condition, so I bought him.  I would not support a chain pet store because the chances of the puppies coming from some sort of "mill" condition are high.  And as it turns out, when I got the paperwork on him and I Googled his breeder/owner, it's a notoriously alleged puppy mill.

Where did you get the name Ben Wade?  

     One of my favorite movies is the Russell Crowe and Christian Bale movie "3:10 to Yuma."  In it, Russell Crowe plays an outlaw named "Ben Wade".  He always wore black.  Ben Wade is black with a white chest and a white soul patch.  I also liked the outlaw character, for though he was ruthless in his dealings with men he viewed as rotten as he was, he had a soft spot for women and creatures.  One of my favorite discussions with someone about his name was with a guy who knew the movie "3:10 to Yuma," and when I reminded him of Russell Crowe's character being named "Ben Wade," he replied, "Oh yeah.  So is your dog a real bad-a** too?" (not realizing we were talking about a Poodle/Bichon mix).  Haha!

What are some of Ben Wade's favorite things to do?  Any little quirks that make him "him"?
     Ben Wade likes to play fetch with any stuffed toy, he likes to tear around the yard with any good dog friends, he loves to go for good long walks (but could care less about the dog park), and his all-time favorite thing to do is sit in the lap of someone who doesn't mind having him there.  

     Hmmmm...quirks, he has a few...when we get up in the morning and go downstairs, if Big Daddy (my husband) or Joshua (son) are already awake OR if we come home from even a five minute trip, he must bring us a gift.  By that I mean, he looks around for a stuffed toy to carry to you, and he doesn't want to play fetch, he just wants to present you with a gift.  He HATES car rides.  They make his nose run and he will often vomit afterward.  I think it has something to do with the ride from the puppy mill... probably a dirty or too cold vehicle from the Midwest to the pet store in Virginia Beach.  I have tried short (five minutes) trips just to drop off the kid at school or go pick him up, take him to a friend's house that he likes, etc., but Ben Wade is almost 4 years old now and he reacts the same.  Actually, I take that back.  The first year and half or so, he would also shake uncontrollably.  Poor guy just can't get over it.  

      If he is hungry, he goes to his bowl and knocks it around (it's stainless steel, so it can be a bit loud) and around and around until I get the message.  Or he will put both front paws in it, and push it over to me as if to say "Um, can you please put something in this?".  And if I have picked his bowl up off of the floor, he goes over to the big dog's giant bin of kibble and scratches at it until I walk into the kitchen and give him some food. See, we have a puppy who eats large breed puppy food and Ben Wade eats adult small kibble. I have to feed the puppy outside so that they don't eat each other's food.  Also, Ben is a VERY slow eater, while the puppy inhales his.  And sometimes Ben is not wanting any breakfast, so if he won't eat his food within ten minutes or so, I have to remove his bowl from the floor and put it up on the counter so the puppy can come back inside.

What makes Ben Wade so special to you?
     He is very special to me because he has the best heart of any dog I have ever known.  He has been picked up uncomfortably by small children, and he has never growled or lifted a lip at them.  He just goes limp and waits for them to hurry up and put him down.  He LOVES people.  More than one person has commented that he's not a yippy, snappy small dog.  (I don't know, I have met a lot of nice dogs, but maybe they haven't?)   Also, a former neighbor had a male Rottweiler and a male Doberman who were nice, but were often dominant over other dogs. Ben Wade approached them with his calm energy and they just kind of accepted him right away, and sometimes we would all walk together, dogs nose to nose sniffing something interesting together.  Other dogs in the neighborhood who do not get along with any other dogs are friends with Ben Wade.  He naturally sends calming signals and he's so well balanced, that other dogs don't get any negative energy from him.  I like that he has made friends with dogs that the owners didn't think their dogs were capable of being friendly. He just has that "something" - a heart of gold that other dogs recognize.  He's also very loyal to me and is always right there by my side.  He's also a great snuggler when it's time to go to sleep - he nestles into my neck/shoulder with that soft warm little body of his and everything seems right in my world.  I can't imagine my life without him. 

A big thanks to SueAnn for sharing her sweet little guy with us!  If any of you guys have a sweet pet you'd like to share (not just dogs), please e-mail me at TailsToTell [at] Live [dot] com, and we will set up an "interview." :)  I'd love to feature your sweet pal!

Tail Wagging Tuesday: Special Pup Feature- Chase

Yes, I'm doing Tail Wagging Tuesday a day late.  I had been so excited to share this week's feature with you, but after the fiasco I experienced on Monday, it just didn't happen, so I say better late than never. :)

This week's special feature pup is one that I just met in person last week.  He belongs to my sister, and I had the privilege of going with her when she rescued him while I was home.  He was found by the pound "running at large," so he was picked up and brought to the shelter.  At this point, he is still very very thin (he weighs only 60 pounds, yet his frame could easily support 80 pounds), but due to his microchip and the fact that he was already neutered, it's obvious that someone loved him at one time.  Even though she's had him such a short time, I thought it would be neat to share his story now, so that we could revisit him later to see how he fills out and how his personality and training develops.  For now, let's see what my sister Brittany has to say about her new "fella" named Chase.

What kind of dog is Chase?  How old is he?
      He’s a German Shepherd, and he’s about two years old.

Where did you get Chase?  What's his story?
      Since my dad got a German Shepherd, I’ve wanted one of my own, so I started searching on Petfinder.   I found two that I liked, but for one reason or another they didn’t work out.  One was definitely bred to be a working dog instead of a pet, so I brought him to a family friend and dog trainer who trained him and got him a job.  The other dog seemed like he was going to work out, but at the last minute I was told he had medical problems that would effect the other dogs in my household, so I had to turn down the adoption.  All along I’ve been checking Petfinder and local shelters because I really wanted to rescue one.  Then, I saw his picture on Petfinder while my sister was home.   He was so close by that I couldn’t resist going to look at him. 

 This is his photo from Petfinder.com

     Once we got to the shelter and saw him, I couldn’t believe that such a sweet, beautiful German Shepherd was in the shelter without a home and family.  I was a little nervous, but I had a feeling that I was doing the right thing by getting him out of there and taking him home to be spoiled and loved. 

How did Chase get his name?
      For a day and a half, I pondered names.  He was the hardest-to-name animal I’ve ever had.  I thought he might be a “Jake,” but my dad liked the name “Champ” (like his German Shepherd growing up that looked similar).  In an effort to please everyone, I kept the search going.   Then, I started noticing some of his nervous habits like chasing his tail.   He also chased cats and my family’s old Blue Heeler named Lacey--in an attempt to flirt with her, for which he got an "earful."  After seeing these things, my sister suggested Chase, and I thought it was almost like a combination of Champ and Jake, so Chase became his name… and it fits him perfectly.

Even though you haven't had him long, what are Chase's favorite things to do?  Things that make him unique?  Crazy quirks or special sweet things he does?
      He loves to go on long walks outside, and he will do anything for food.  Since he loves food so much, he’s picking up new obedience commands quickly.  He also loves to play with his new “brother” Jett. 

     As far as things that make him unique, he acts like he’s an overgrown cat.  He’ll rub against your legs or another dog or a chair or anything just like a cat.  Then, he’ll stretch like a cat.  It’s pretty funny.  He is also very vocal when he’s excited. 

    He knows when it’s bedtime, and he’ll go into my room then come look for me in the hallway, and he will do that over and over until I “put him to bed” in his crate. 

What makes Chase so special to you?  What does he mean to you?
      Well, he’s my first dog that is solely my responsibility.  He seems so appreciative of his new home and the love he’s getting.  I think, especially since he came from a shelter, that he’s going to be a really special dog that tries hard to learn quickly and please his family.  I couldn’t ask for more.  

Tail Wagging Tuesday: Special Pup Feature- Gracie

This week's special feature pup belongs to one of my very best friends.  Jennifer and I were roomies in college and grad school, and she will forever be referred to as "my roommate," despite the fact that we don't live together anymore.  Jennifer's sweet little Gracie holds a special place in my heart because I'm her "God-mom."  Haha!  Jennifer got her when we were in graduate school together, so I lived with this sweet fur baby for a year.  Now, let's see what Jennifer has to say about her...

What kind of dog is Gracie?  How old is she?
     Gracie is a 3 year old red Miniature Dachsund.

Where did you get Gracie?  What's her story?

     Gracie came to live with me during my husband's first deployment. I was currently working on my MBA and lived in a townhouse near school, with my roomie Lindsay. I had always wanted a puppy of my own so the search on Craigslist began. Lindsay found Gracie at a home not far from where my parents lived. I called my parents immediately to pick her up for me. We met my dad halfway between where I lived and where they lived to get her. When I first saw her, I could barely see her little head above the grass. She weighed all of one pound and could fit in my hand. It was love at first sight, and by 9:00 that night, Gracie was finally home.

How did Gracie get her name?
     Gracie was not actually the first name I had picked out for my new pup. I always wanted a little dog, and I was going to name her "Bitsy". With a last name of Cox, however, I thought that would be cruel Lindsay and I eventually settled on the name "Gracie"--I liked the name "Grace" but "Gracie" seemed more appropriate for a little dog.

What are Gracie's favorite things to do?  Things that make her unique?  Crazy quirks or special sweet things she does?
     Gracie has more personality than any dog I've ever known. She loves to sunbathe, play with her "babies", chase her ball, bark at our neighbors--or at nothing, depending on how she's feeling. She knows how to "play dead" if you hold your hand like a gun, point it at her and say "BANG!".   She can also sit and roll over if you give her a treat, and she will give tons of puppy kisses if you ask her to. She loves to go on walks and her ears perk up every time you say the words "walk", "treat", and "ball".  She sleeps in the bed between me and my husband with her head on my pillow and her little legs sticking straight out. And if she doesn't feel like she has enough room in the bed, she will kick you until you move. If she ever has an accident or does something bad, she gives herself away because you will find her hiding in the corner with her tail tucked between her legs in shame. She will even "apologize" by waddling over and "kissing" you until all is forgiven. She is always a good listener, a great companion, and the sweetest "child" I could ever ask for.

What makes Gracie so special to you and your family?  What does she mean to you?
     Gracie is our whole world. She has kept me company through two year-long deployments, and she is always excited to see me or just be with me. She is super protective of her "mom" and she will bark anyone's head off who tries to come between us. My husband Chris and I don't have children...but with Gracie, we feel like we have one. And for now, she is all we need.

Jennifer didn't send me this video, and I'm not sure if she knows I have it, but it's adorable.  So, Jennifer, here's a flashback for you.  Can you believe she was this little? :)

Hope you all loved Gracie as much as I do!