Crosby's Two

For the last 15 years or so we’ve had a dog as a part of our family, two little non-shedding dogs. First there was Libby and later came Brownie.

In 2018, however, Crosby joined our family. She’s McKenzie’s dog. 

A so-called “beagle-mix” from Wolftrap Animal Rescue whose namesake is Sidney Crosby, a player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins ice hockey team.

                          

A perpetual smile on her face, Crosby’s a sweet, 50-pound ball of energy who, along with our daughter, has been staying with us since the quarantine began. The condo McKenzie lives in doesn’t offer Crosby much opportunity to chase squirrels or birds or dig holes unsupervised but since she’s been here she’s gotten plenty of all three of those things. 

It's her birthday and today, she’s two.

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Trouble

About 8 weeks old.  You can see how we were deceived by that sweet face.

"Trouble.  That's what her name should be," said my sister.  And it would be appropriate too, except her name is Brownie (and no, your eyes aren't deceiving you, she's not brown). Today is her birthday and she is 5.  Which means she'll, no doubt, do some of this

Asleep on the ottoman.

and probably a little of this

Resting on the sofa.

and she'll definitely do this

Yes.  Asleep, on the back of the sofa, front paws outstretched.  

Ten Years Ago Today

A year ago today I wrote a post about  adopting our precious dog, Libby.  Sadly, the sweetest, easiest going dog ever passed away in January. I couldn't resist the urge to repost that anniversary post.  

Sixty-three years ago today this little dog came to live at our house.  

Okay, it wasn't really 63 years ago (to anyone but her).  It was actually nine years ago today, that Liberty Bell "Libby" Smith arrived at our house via a pet rescue organization.  

"No shedding, less than 20 pounds, free and not a puppy."  Those were the criteria for acquiring a dog that my husband set out once we agreed that we would add a canine companion to our family.  Surprisingly, it only took a few days before our dream dog was found.  And she was free (that is until I ran into the back of a Mercedes as I drove home from the pet rescue). She has been a dream dog, more like a cat than a dog really and worth every insurance- deductible penny. 

I remember thinking at the time how competitive it was to adopt a rescue animal -- 8-page forms and multiple assurances that "the well-being of the dog will be your family's highest priority."  Perhaps the conditions for getting married, having children and lots of other things, should be as exacting? 

When the pet rescue folks called during that year's broadcast of the Academy Awards (remember A Beautiful Mind?) to say we'd been selected as her new owners, we were elated - like we'd won our own little award that evening.    

Libby was housebroken from the minute we brought her home and  incredibly low-maintenance.  Our veterinarian estimated her age to be older than the 2 years the pet rescue folks said, so we have no idea of Libby's real age.  Suffice it to say, even in those first couple of years, our daughter would often say, "We didn't get a dog, we got a grandma" because Libby was so quiet and easygoing.

It is sad for me to think that sweet Libby is in the twilight of her life.  She has brought us lots of joy, put up with a lot over the years (see above) and has been almost no trouble at all.  I have been known to say, "We feel like we won the dog lottery"  when referring to Libby.  On second thought, perhaps we should have named her "Lucky."

All Dogs Go to Heaven

Our sweet Libby. We love you. We'll miss you. Thank you for being our friend.

"People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

~ Anonymous

National Dog Day

Brownie relaxes on her sofa perch.  

My blog has included several posts about pet ownership, like here and here, so I feel duty bound to tell you that today is National Dog Day.  

Libby and Brownie.  Having a little fun.  

Our two dogs are not adjusting all that well to the Texas heat.  Those long walks in the evening are a thing of the past - at least for the time being, but I am hoping (and so are they) cooler weather is just around the corner!  


Perhaps you read the touching story about one of the Navy SEALS who was killed in action recently and his dog, Hawkeye.  This photo brings tears to my eyes.  

Man's best friend, indeed.

63 Years Ago Today. . . .

this little dog came to live at our house.  

Okay, it wasn't really 63 years ago (to anyone but her).  It was actually nine years ago today, that Liberty Bell "Libby" Smith arrived at our house via a pet rescue organization.  

"No shedding, less than 20 pounds, free and not a puppy."  Those were the criteria for acquiring a dog that my husband set out once we agreed that we would add a canine companion to our family.  Surprisingly, it only took a few days before our dream dog was found.  And she was free (that is until I ran into the back of a Mercedes as I drove home from the pet rescue). She has been a dream dog, more like a cat than a dog really and worth every insurance- deductible penny. 

I remember thinking at the time how competitive it was to adopt a rescue animal -- 8-page forms and multiple assurances that "the well-being of the dog will be your family's highest priority."  Perhaps the conditions for getting married, having children and lots of other things, should be as exacting? 

When the pet rescue folks called during that year's broadcast of the Academy Awards (remember A Beautiful Mind?) to say we'd been selected as her new owners, we were elated - like we'd won our own little award that evening.    

Libby was housebroken from the minute we brought her home and  incredibly low-maintenance.  Our veterinarian estimated her age to be older than the 2 years the pet rescue folks said, so we have no idea of Libby's real age.  Suffice it to say, even in those first couple of years, our daughter would often say, "We didn't get a dog, we got a grandma" because Libby was so quiet and easygoing.

It is sad for me to think that sweet Libby is in the twilight of her life.  She has brought us lots of joy, put up with a lot over the years (see above) and has been almost no trouble at all.  I have been known to say, "We feel like we won the dog lottery"  when referring to Libby.  On second thought, perhaps we should have named her "Lucky."

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Love Your Pet Day

I know, right.  Who needs a special day to love a face like that?

Over the years, we have had two four-legged members of our family, as well as a few aquatic ones. 
 
Our first goldfish, Michael Flatly (named after the Irish-American step dancer) for reasons that are fully explained by this -
 

resided with us for what we thought was a lengthy amount of time for a  goldfish - more than 3 years.  He was succeeded by Jenna - named after the Season 6 winner of the Survivor series.  What can I say?  We have a thing for pop culture. Jenna lived up to her namesake - surviving almost as long as Michael Flatly.  Finally, Omega the Beta lived with us several years.  A gift from a classmate to my son,  I loved that Omega seemed to flourish the more we ignored him.  He was the last of our friends with gills.

Our canine companions are another story.

Libby, a sweet rescue dog, joined our family almost 10  years ago.  She is now deaf and does not see well. She has always been more like a cat than a dog and through the years she put up with a lot, including this -  

and more of this -

To our minds, she is what every pet owner would want - sweet and easy-going. 

The most recent addition to our household, Brownie (her name deserves it's own post), has a quirky (and needy) but funny little personality.

We especially get a kick out of Brownie sleeping on the ottoman in our den - 

Recently, my sister called to my attention how much Brownie looks like Fluffy, the toy dog I received for Christmas when I was two.  

That's Brownie on the left. 

Coincidence?  I think not.

Brownie loves attention and, though she is slow to warm up, once she's your friend you'll have a hard time shaking her.

Brownie and my sister's sweet cat, Gus, take a nap.

A Snow Event - Postscript

A view out our front door

We  had about 4 inches of snow overnight - not a record breaking event, but still beautiful, also a bit inconvenient and treacherous, but beautiful nonetheless.

We're all at home enjoying  the view from the warm indoors, except for the occasional venture outside (for necessary business). 

Fortunately, she loves it.