Ollie's Adopt-a-Versary

Ollie didn't TECHNICALLY become a part of our family until April 30, but if you ask him, he was home from day one.  I brought him home to foster on April 15, 2012, and he was officially adopted a couple weeks later, after battling a horrible case of kennel cough/pneumonia, and weaseling his way in to my (and his brother's) hearts.  I wrote about how I foster failed last fall.  Six months later, I'm even MORE in love with this little monster than I was then.  I can't believe it's been a year since he entered our lives.

Ollie is one special dog.  I really didn't think I could possibly love another dog like I love Tucker.  Tucker completely stole my heart, and became my heart dog.  People tell me you can only have one true heart dog…but I’m here to tell you, that’s not true.  Ollie has officially become a heart dog and it’s for totally different reasons than Tucker.  I’m now understanding what my mom meant when she said I love you and your brother equally, but for different reasons.

Ollie is a fighter.  He came from unfathomable circumstances.  He was a total mess when he was seized for cruelty and neglect in Kansas City.  He was around 4 months old when he entered the shelter, and weighed what a 10 week old puppy should weigh.  At about 5 months old, when I started fostering him, he weighed only 14 pounds.  He was skin and bones.  He had patches of fur missing.  He had trouble breathing.  He didn’t want to eat or drink.  I really wondered at times if he would make it.  He, however, had different plans.

 Ollie is always happy.  No matter how bad it got, or how bad he felt, his little tail continued to wag.  He was scared of loud noises and wasn’t a fan of being around new people.  Ollie and I bonded so much in those first two weeks.  I was the first person he really trusted and whenever someone new came over, he hid behind me waiting for me to let him know it was okay to meet them.  Once he realized you weren’t going to hurt him, he would settle in for lots of pets and cuddle time.  Nowadays, I can't enter the house with out him screaming (literally) in delight.  He's always so excited to meet new people and is Mr. Social when we are at the dog park.  

He's a true Mama's boy.  Ollie is my shadow.  Wherever I go, he goes.  He starts out every night on his doggie bed on the floor.  At some point during the night, he jumps up (ninja style) and I end up with 75 pounds of dog sucked up next to me.  Once the alarm goes off, he covers my face in kisses.  I can't think of a better way to wake up.

His resilience is amazing.  It doesn't matter what is thrown at him, he faces it with a huge smile on his face and his little booty wiggling  all over the place.  His love for life is contagious, and it's impossible to not be happy when he's around.  His past could easily make him hate people or even hate the world, but he's put it in his past and never looked back.  

In celebration of his Adopt-a-Versary, here are some of Ollie's FAVORITE things:

1.  Chewables.

His Gotcha Day Pig Ear!

You lookin at me?!?

Yeah, I took Tucker's bone, too...so what?!?

2. Snuggles.

With Fosters....

Big Brother....

Or Mama...doesn't matter!

3. Being a Spokes-Doggy for Mama's Organization Doghousing.

Sitting pretty! "Doesn't this make you want to foster for my Mama?!?"

But sometimes he's a slacker and lays down on the job...

And after a long day, he falls asleep next to Gramps.  

Being a Spokes-Doggy is hard work!

4. Boating

"I like this boating thing, Mama!  Is it summer time, yet?!?"

Boating is hard work too!!!

*Note: No champagne was consumed by Ollie*

Ollie, words cannot express what you mean to me.  You're such an amazing, happy dog.  Tucker and I are so lucky to have you in our lives.  This first year has been more than I ever dreamed, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us.  I love you!!!

Happy Birthday, Tucker!

I can write or talk about fostering and fostering all day long...I love it...I live it.  But when it comes to my own two, words escape me sometimes.  They mean more to me than anything or anyone has ever meant to me.  

Just less than two years ago (March 27), my world was forever changed.  My little blue eyed, black baby came home with me!  Tucker turned two on February 17, and it blows my mind that he has grown up so fast.

I brought home an itty bitty little fur ball.  He quickly turned in to a 75 pound, long legged, monster.  I'll admit, when I brought him home, I had NO idea what I was doing.  I had no idea I wouldn't get a full night's sleep until he was five months old.  I never knew about food allergies, or dog training, or separation anxiety.  And I DEFINITELY didn't know I would fall head over heels in love with a little boy who would never be able to say "I love you too, Mama."

But fall in love I did.  Tucker taught me to always look at the glass half full.  There's not much better in life than a fresh tennis ball or rawhide.  He'll never talk to me...but I know what he's thinking.  He has the most expressive face of any dog I've ever come in to contact with.  He's the biggest love on the planet, and all he wants to do is be close to his people.

He went to the vet for his one year check up in April, and passed with flying colors!  Other than some seasonal and food allergies, he's as healthy as can be!

As I've mentioned before, last July, we became a family of three.  I know it was hard on my boys, as it was hard on me.  Tucker assumed the roll of "man of the house", and wouldn't leave my side for months.  He had to sleep right next to me.  It was as though he was reassuring me, "it's going to be okay mama...we are going to be okay."  

Tucker got to help Grandpa with his deer last fall.  He was one proud guard dog!

In September, I ran my first 10K....I had the CUTEST training buddy!

Tucker got me in to rescue...I knew I wanted to give back, but didn't know how.  At the time I wasn't ready for another dog.  So I started fostering.  I had sent quite a few dogs on to their new lives, and Tucker was a huge part of that.  

Then Tucker and I failed, and we welcomed his little brother Ollie.  We fostered a couple dogs after Ollie adopted us.  He always seems to know just what each dog that he's fostering needs, whether it be cuddle time, play time, or space.  Tucker is such a great foster brother, an even better big brother, and my one and only heart dog.  

I had so much fun celebrating Tucker's birthday with my family!  He got a few toys and treats, and a huge bone from Michael!

 Tucker, you mean more to me than you will ever know and you have taught me so many things.  I love you to the moon and back!  Here's to many more years!