SharivilleLife stories from Shari

Angie holding Teddy

I think that anyone who has not given their heart to an animal has an empty spot in their soul.  We have bit off another big bite.  After being without a dog for awhile now, my heart has been aching for the love I have to give to a dog and the love I know I will get from him.  His name is Texas Teddy Greenfield, and he is so precious.  He’s a Red Heeler, that means he’s an Australian Cow Dog.  He will probably be about 50 # when full grown, he has a docked tail and is gorgeous.  We got  him on Sat. Dec. 19th, 2009, and named him partially after a lost loved one who never had a chance to enjoy his life.  This baby is only 7 weeks old.  He was born Oct 30th, 2009, a Halloweeneve little boy.  He came from a litter of 7, and we picked him because of his color and his birth parents said he was the mellow fellow of the two they were adopting out.  The other puppy was a bit more hyper and he was a Blue Heeler.  I was really taken by his beautiful color and he was definitely more cuddly.  We brought him home to a house full of Angie’s dogs and cats so he is getting a good education from the get go. Ruby, Angie’s Blue Heeler who is going on 15, seems to accept him quite well and will be a good mentor to him.  She is a wonderful dog and very protective of her family.  She will be the best influence on him.. Sasha, Felecia’s dog thinks he’s cute, but stays a distance from him.  Joey the Yorkie is much annoyed with his puppy antics and puts him in his place regularly.  Casey, now there’s another story, he has been the baby in the family, all of about 65 # of him, he is rather reluctant to give up that station in the dog hierarchy.  He’s interested in Teddy, and wants to play, but can’t figure out why he is so small.  He is also in a quandaryabout the toys and who’s toys belong to who.  It’s all going to be a learning experience.  This morning while getting the 4 cats,  plates of tuna with fish oil sprinkled on top, here was Teddy smaller than any of the cats right in the middle of all of them trying to figure out what all the excitement was all about.  The cats are tolerant because they are all quite used to new members being brought into this household of all rescued animals.  They all have a story and it’s all with a happy ending. Espresso the older black cat, she’s about 16 too,  is a bit upset as she has been the center of Jerry’s attention since we have been here, and she does not want to share. She keeps giving Jerry dirty looks as she skirts around the situation.  It has , however, been awhile since a new member has arrived.  About the time they are all comfortable we will uproot Teddy and head back to California.  I held Teddy up to the aquarium so he could see Turbo, and Turbo did not appreciate looking at Teddy.  He stuck his neck out full length, started puffing, and that I had never seen, and repeatedly opened his mouth wide open and took his front feet and kept swiping across his mouth.  Needless to say Turbo was the most upset, he is used to the other animals here and immediately recognized a new face.  I mean he even puts up with Lucky the cat sitting atop his aquarium and doesn’t get that upset.  It was a sight to see, I was so sorry that I had disturbed him as he is definitely one of my favorite animals here in this multi house hold of precious little animals.

Teddy loves his toys

We have yet to take Teddy over to the trailer to meet his new immediate family, Sophie, Ziggy and Scubby Do. I will wait a few days until he gets used to all the excitement around here before I subject him to them. All my cats have been around a dog in their previous lives before we got them, but it’s been a couple of yrs for Sophie and Ziggy.  Scooby not so long and I think he will be the most accepting of a new family member.  This little guy seems to be very flexible, but by his breed he will be the main influence as he grows up and becomes comfortable in his expected role as protector of his pack, us included. Right now he is just our baby and so lovable and cuddly and so interested in all the new things he is learning about and trying to accept.  He sleeps in bed with us at night and I get up a couple of times at night to take him outside to pee pee. Kind of like having a real human baby to tend in the middle of the night. He’s doing a great job.  Yesterday we took him to Petsmart to pick up some food and toys and a coller and leash.  Angie put the on and the leash and he walked on that leash fairly well.  Occas he would balk, but pick right back up.  He is also learning to sit for a treat and we have only had him 3 days. Angie is really good with him, she has Casey trained quite well. Tommy, bless his heart, having just had all the carpets throughly cleaned on Thur. felt is would be just fine to bring this baby home.  He said, Oh well, the carpets need replaced anyway. They do not, but Tommy is special, he could see what it meant to me. And so the saga of the Christmas doggy angel Teddy goes on and I’m sure will figure prominately in our lives in the future.