Wednesday, February 8, 2012

New (seemingly better) Year!

Well seems like Christmas was really the magic turning point.  Got some paperwork things that I was waiting on cleared through.  Got to a different waiting point on the whole accident wrap up.  Finally was able to expect not to be in pain everyday.  The school thing was lined up to go.  Substitute teaching positions opened up and was able to get that process going.  Things are going just swell between Chris and I, we are just so happy to be back together.

Sammie (black and white) Duski (brindle and white)
So now into February I have had 1 (half day) as a substitute, made a new friend, finished over half of my first class at University of Phoenix and ...  we got a (fantastic) puppy today!!  Which makes me realize I haven't gone into my menagerie at all.

The newest addition to our home is Duski she is a 6 month old brindle and white pitbull mix.  She is a shelter rescue from the Orange County (FL) Animal Shelter.  When she first saw Chris she practically leaped into his arms and started kissing him, so giant softies that we are, we figured out how to take her home.  This picture is taken not even an hour after she came home and first met her 'big sister' Sammie.  After a bit of rousing chase they were on the couch together and even kissing on each other.  Sammie is so excited to have a friend who is not a cat and appreciates wanting to run around, lick, chew and chase each other a good bit.  Duski appears thrilled with the house and its toys, bones, and pillows for napping, not to mention a new friend and some people who love petting.

Older pic but she is still and looking at me.
This is Sammie.  She is a mutt we have no idea what, but terrier and lab seem to be predominate.  She came to live with us in November of 2010.  She also is a shelter rescue from the Jackson Ms Animal Shelter.  She was just barely 3 months old when we adopted her and the shelter told us she was part cocker spaniel and poodle, which was obviously not quite right.  She is full of energy, has tons of tickle spots and is super entertaining.  After seeing her try to interact with other dogs that we would meet we really began thinking that she really needed a friend.  And she is quite glad that that happened.    The cats never warmed up to her over enthusiastic bounding form of hello and responded with horribly frightening noises which she had to yell at them to stop.

Spark being adorable.
Now to complete the menagerie there are the cats.

First there is Spark.  He will be seven years old next month, and is one of those animals that makes you go 'oh bless his heart' he is sweet and snuggly but doesn't have an ounce of sense.  He will complainingly 'mreak' at you if you walk in and don't bother to say hello first thing off.  He will also never and I mean never get tired of you petting him.  But I love my special child.  He also was a shelter rescue from West Valley Los Angeles Animal Shelter.

Peck, my little primadonna 
The first of my babies to come home were Blaze and Peck.  I wanted a cat when I had moved out on my own and was able to do these things.  But I worked a billion hours a week and figured that one bored kitty would completely destroy everything I owned.  So I had the brilliant idea to get two kitties instead.  They are now nearly 9 years old and have bared with all the drama that has come over the years.  They were also shelter rescues from West Valley Animal Shelter in LA.  Peck is a girly girl and extremely shy she's not fond of most strangers but occasionally will taking a liking to a person, when she loves you though she does it all out.  She can't stand Sammie's exuberance but loves to look at her when she is quiet.  She has only recently started accepting Sammie.

Blaze in his traditional grace.
Last but certainly not least is Blaze, my (not so) baby boy.  From the moment I saw his picture taped to the cage I knew that the tiny, big headed, kitty who tried to eat the camera had to be mine.  He grew into his big head, and has become a full sized (16lb- but not fat) cat.  He is very vocal and says 'hello' and 'mom' convincingly enough to jump start parents of toddlers out of their seats every night.  He can also be a total grump, but I love him.

Anyways, the menagerie is now full and until we start making little peoples this family is complete.