Monday, March 31, 2008

Rebound Love

Several people have suggested that it is time to go get Evangeline.

In a cruel twist of fate, Evie has been adopted.

I was really frustrated when I found out because I really truly felt like it was meant to be with her.

I've been saying for a long time now that we shouldn't be a 2 dog family, and that one day I would like to just own 1 retired racing greyhound because I love the gratefulness of a rescued dog, but when I met her that day, matching the exact physical description of the type of dog I love PLUS having the need to be loved, having suffered a lack of it, I just felt like this was it.

Like I said, how sometimes people get pregnant on accident and even though you weren't planning it and you know it's not ideal, that it's just right.

But I guess it was just not right.

You know that song, "When I get knocked down, I get up again, blobbity blobbity blah"? That's the sort of week I'm having. One of those "when it rains it pours" sort of things. I won't bore you with the details, but some of it really sucks and is terrible timing.

I will admit that when I went to double check and make sure Evie really wasn't on the website anymore, I accidentally started looking at rebound puppies.

I've always done that with men too, it really is the best way. You just need something to fill the space and position until you get your bearings back.

I even found a couple (puppies, not men) and made Mr. Ashley call on them. One was perfect but $550.

Then the next morning there was a litter in the paper and the one left was exactly what I wanted (double dappled mini dachshund boy with one blue eye) and a more reasonable $325, but I looked around objectively and realized this was wrong.

Just like the rebound boyfriend, it would feel great at first, but when the reality of a new set of problems set in, I'd realize that it was a mistake and the timing was bad.

My plan is to have the garage sale Saturday (ugh) and use some of the proceeds to pay someone to come and do spring cleaning. I deserve it. It will be a new beginning, Chore Whore can just shut the hell up for a while and someone else can deal with the aftermath and then we will just maintain from there.

That's just the plan though, so there's no saying it will happen that way. It's a darn good plan though, if I do say so myself.

Then theoretically, life will magically fall into place and eventually I will meet a dog and it won't have to be the rebound dog and will hopefully enter our home once it's already a happier place.

These are the three that made me melt the most. I highly recommend www.petfinder.com if you're looking for a furry friend. I'm going to try to stay away from there though because with puppies as cute as this, it could be dangerous.

By the way, no one adopt these puppies if you see them on there. I will be pissed at you. I don't know why and they do deserve a good home, but I prefer they wait a bit. That first one is the one I want the most (if I were dog shopping and if I did have money). I would name him Murphy.




Holy shit they're cute. Why do puppies have to be so cute?

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Murphy is a great name. My wife and I got a pound puppy and the pound had named her Murphy. We thought it was such a great name and decided to stick with it. Of course, they said she would only grow to be at most 40lbs, and now we have a 90lb personal backyard landscaper. She is the first dog I have ever seen that can eat an azalea bush down to the roots in under 10min. At least she provides her own fertilizer.

Donna. W said...

The second puppy is my favorite. Over two years ago when my dog, Mandy, was hit by a car and killed, my husband insisted we go right out and get another dog because he couldn't stand to see me crying all the time. They say you should wait until you're done grieving to get another dog, but Sadie has worked out well for me.

Anonymous said...

Dear Ashley,

How do you keep your feet flip flop ready all year round?

After a long New England winter my dogs aren't looking so good. Any good tips?

A Pedi is out; the idea of a stranger touching my feet totally freaks me out.

Anonymous said...

I mentioned it to you on Babycenter, you inspired me to adopt a puppy of my own. I have been stalking petfinder.com too. The messed up thing is that people keep adopting the puppies out from under me as I fall in love with them. Screw the housing market, the puppy adoption market is booming.

hicktowndiva said...

Murphy! Oh he is so cute! You are doing the right thing, though.

I will say that my rebound puppy, Cooper? Is the best dog I ever had. It's the dogs that I carefully planned for that turned out to be on the neurotic side. But you will have better luck!

so tired said...

Oh, they are pretty cute.... hard to resist!

Hard to resist for you, not for me. I'm too selfish and lazy for a dog. At least for now!

Melodie said...

I went to the Humane Society on Saturday with my daughter's Girl Scout troop. I fell in love with so many dogs there, two in particular. If I'd had the money and time, I would have brought them home with me. It's so hard to look at those sweet, needy faces and not want to rescue them.

Anonymous said...

It sucks that you are having to deal with so much shit... Truly bad timing. And, you're right, I'm a rebounder myself and I always have that "doh!" moment after a couple of months. A cute little puppy will happen upon you when you least expect it and you'll be ready, I feel sure!
Hang in there, chica. :-)

Anonymous said...

That dapple is too cute for words. He reminds me of one I used to have named Ellwood.
-burf06

Red and White Preppy said...

Oh geez! They are precious :) Good luck looking for the new dog!

Maddness of Me said...

I couldn't agree more. I got my Oliver after only 2 months. I can't even explain why I went looking on Petfinder, but I did. When I went to meet him I actually ran away crying (really was still so heart broken). But, I went through a 2 year illness with Smokey before he died - that can play strange tricks on your mind, especially when you spend $5k on the best doctors and fight your ass off.

Anyway. I went back. I don't know why his foster mother let me have him after I ran like that. But she did. I was afraid I would hate him. I was afraid of more vet bills. I was afraid of everything.

What it does... it helps to keep your mind off the loss. It makes it a TAD easier.

It the BEST thing I ever did. Oliver seemed to know I needed comforting.

That last pic... OMG too cute.

Renee said...

Oh, they are SO cute! So hard to resist.

Anonymous said...

I have never commented before but I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our wonderful old dog in sept. and the thought of him still brings tears to my eyes. I just wanted to encourage you to consider a greyhound. When we lost our dog I really missed his presence in the house but I knew with small kids I could not handle training a puppy. We adopted a 5 year old retired greyhound and she is awesome. One of the best decisions we ever made. She had been trained in a prison after she left the track and is so well behaved and so beautiful. http://www.teamgreyhound.com/
This is the group we got her from I'm sure there must be something similar in your area. Best of luck!

Amy in Ohio

Anonymous said...

I'm another one who has an itch for a dog after what has happened. I am not sure why I'm not even a dog person. I'm not going to look at petfinder.com because my husband and boys have been bugging me for years for a dog. If I cave we will have a dog by the weekend.

I am sorry things haven't gotten any better yet. Here in PA we think things will get better when warmer weather arrives, I guess that can't be the case in FL.

Trisha

Life, Love And Lola said...

Ashley You need one of those puppies!

Muffy Willowbrook said...

Adopting a puppy is the way to go. I wanted a Puggle more than anything for a while, but then when I started paying attention to how many dogs needed homes....it was a real tearjerker.

Hope you're doing better.

Joy said...

You know why they are so cute? They need to be so cute, it's kinda like a baby if they were ugly it would be hard to deal with all the shit that comes with them-litterally.

If you brought home this ugly little puppy and he started peeing on your floor, pooping everywhere and chewing anything within reach it would be a bit harder to forgive him. But you look at this cute little face and it's just impossible to be mad for long.

Good luck on your search. IMO (I know you didn't ask for it) but I would wait a bit and really look around find something that is meant to be, not just an impulse buy.

Anonymous said...

Ashley - I have not commented on your loss yet, I am so very sorry. I read about it on BHB and it took me 4 days before I could come here and read about. It broke my heart and I cannot even read your letter to Heidi-Louis, I'd never make it through.

Those puppies are adorable and someday you will be ready. If you think that day is today, fine. If you think it's a bit down the road then that's fine too. You have to follow your instincts.

I can't even go to the pet store/shelter/or any place that has dogs/puppies. I would end up bringing several home with me. That dapple is friggin' adorable. Ok, they are ALL adorable. I find puppies more irresistable than babies!! :o)

T

Cate said...

Just an idea, Petfinder also lists some rescued adult dogs. I found a 5 year old German Shepherd they find all the tidbits you need to know. He was housebroken, loved kids, did not even think anything about cats, and was a snuggler.
The adults of the cute puppies that are rescued are cheaper, and you know what you are getting.
food for thought.

Cate

Anonymous said...

ITA with Joy.

Give yourselves some time. And think HARD about a puppy, they are allot of work. I know you know from previous experience, but right now you might have rose colored glasses on.

Just sit on it a while.

Caren

Anonymous said...

Aww they are too cute! My brother's lab is named Murphy and suits him perfectly! A dog will come into your life when the time is right. I can't imagine how you feel right now but just know you have A LOT of people thinking of you.

Deb said...

Puppies are cute, because you would beat them to death after they sh*t on your rug for the 100th time if they didn't look up at you with those big baby eyes.

I dig the first one, and I'm not even a fan of the breed usually.