An introduction

Today I thought I would introduce you to some of our other family members....the dogs. (We'll save the cats for another post.)

To start off we have Zoe. Zoe has been in our family for 12 years now, as long as she has been alive. Well, to be technical six weeks after her life began. We got her from someone giving away puppies in front of Smith's. She is the first animal I have ever owned from birth to natural death (of old age). Hopefully she will live a good number of years longer, but probably not. I'm actually surprised she has lived as long as she has, she has had her share of cold winters and hot summers. She has seen kennels, chains, lived on the mountain at my grandpa's cabin with other dogs and human contact only every other day. We nick named her Houdini dog when she was little because she could get out of any collar or harness we put on her. If we want to put her on a chain, we have to tighten her collar to choking point. She is a black lab-catahoola mix. She used to be grey with black spots and speckles, and now she is mostly dark, can't see the speckles much with a grey/white face. She's old and people notice. She has arthritis in her legs and has a hard time getting up once she's down. I'm worried about this winter because she is an outdoor dog and I'm afraid she is going to be hurting in the cold. I feel bad, but she is a dog after all. I do have an electric blanket that I put out for her. Some people think I'm silly, but I love her. She is what I call a 'mommas dog' because ever since puppy-hood she has loved me the most. When I'm outside she sticks by my side and if anyone else calls her she wont go. If I'm not there she will, but not if I'm there. She wouldn't hurt a fly, she lets the kids crawl and climb all over her, she is a big, dumb, lovable oaf, and I love her.

Zoe

Next there's Allie. Allie is a pure bred beagle. She is one and a half years old and we have had her for a year now. Allie is a house dog, but drives me bananas! She has the energy of a two year old and I can't keep up with her. Beagles are relatively small dogs, but when on a leash, she can pull me to the point of running. She has made Daisy fly through the air before when she grabbed the leash unthinkingly. She likes to 'escape' the house whenever she can and bolts for the hills. There have been many 'search and rescue' missions for Allie in our year of having her. She is sweet though and we think she may have been abused in her former home because she cowers when you yell or if she gets in trouble in any way.
She LOVES her toys and chewing on things. She chases balls and loves to play tug-o-war. She has chewed many a Christmas and birthday toy and anything that is left out for her pleasure. (Namely barbies and littlest pet shop toys, though she likes socks a lot too!)
We hope to breed her and get cute beagle, puggle, poogle, or whatever puppies too. She would be a good mommy.

Allie
These pictures are while she is in the kennel, because she is camera shy.

So there you have it, two of our other family members. We will save the 4 cats and 2 fish for another post! :)

P.S. Thank you to all who comment, I totally love the comments!