Introducing Mister

Missy has a brother. We made the trek to the Tri-Cities to adopt Mister yesterday. He looks like her 8 pound mini-me. The resemblance is truly uncanny. And like everything else we do, it was truly an adventure. From the hours of barking on the way there to nearly running out of gas on the way home, Missy and I just don't like to do things the easy way.

I was unsure how this whole second dog thing was going to go down with her. If she threw a big fit there's no way we'd come home with him. Missaroo is, and always will be, the center of my world and if there's anything you should have learned from our little blog by now it's if Missy isn't happy, nobody in this home is happy.

Missy and Mister got along surprisingly well. She really didn't seem to mind him too much once she got a good sniff and she enjoyed having someone to run around with. I'm really happy she has a playmate. But there is an adjustment for both of us. Missy has to learn to share. She's doing pretty well with sharing her toys, but not as well about having to share her mommy. And truth be told, I worry about balancing the two dogs. How do I not favor the Missaroo? And at the same time how do I not favor Mister too much? It's been an emotional day to say the least, mostly because I've come to realize the bond I have with the Missaroo is so beyond a normal dog human bond. I have an emotional attachment to Missaroo that is hard to equal with anyone else, let alone another dog.

One thing you don't have to worry about though, this is still Missy's world we are all living in, and that includes this blog. It's still her's. The only difference is now she has a sidekick.

Pillows!?! Those Aren't Pillows!

Getting up very early in the morning is even more difficult when the Missaroo doesn't feel like getting up. If she has to go to the bathroom, well it's time to move it or face the consequences. But on the days when she just kinda looks at me like, "are you really moving mom?" when the alarm goes off make it impossible to get out of bed.....

"Why am I getting up at 7:15 am again?" I often ask myself, especially on nights when I didn't get home until midnight from work. But that's the life. What makes it even harder, is when Miss not only doesn't feel like getting up, but when she uses me for a pillow. She is a HUGE snuggler in general, but when she rests her little head on my back or bottom well then I really feel bad about moving. And let's face it, who really feels great about jumping out of bed in winter anyway? Like I need a guilt trip on top of it. My snuggly Missaroo makes me never want to leave the apartment, let alone bed. She can use me for a pillow anytime, it beats the heck out of getting hit in the head with chew toys!

Love you Shmooie!

Missy Mae Day

I think in order for Missaroo to have a great day we have to be on the go. She enjoys trips to the pet store, going for a drive, and of course walking, sniffing and anything involving treats. There are even days when I wish we were still taking classes because it was a great bonding experience and we both looked forward to it.

As much as Miss and I enjoy those activities, I also happen to enjoy watching TV, laying on the couch, and oh yeah, naps. Those activities don't happen nearly as often, but I've come to realize Miss kinda likes those ones too.

Friday I really didn't feel like doing anything before work. I was tired, cranky, and a little depressed. So I laid down on the couch after our morning walk. Missy looked at me with those great big brown eyes like usual and I thought for sure she was headed to the crate to dig out a toy to annoy me with. I asked her "come on baby, just snuggle with mom, please!" And you know what, she did! We spent a few hours just hanging out together right there in front of the TV. I was happy for the time to spend with Miss without feeling like I had to entertain her. It was a great Missy Mae day.

Pet People

Pet people have a common bond, especially those who consider themselves pet parents. I like to think I coined the term dog mom, but I'm sure I didn't. Although I am the only one who seems to trend dogmommoment on Twitter. I'm still working to make that "happen." It's also very cool when I get recognized as a dog mom. I love when people think of me that way.

Yesterday at work my assignment desk manager said she had a magazine for me. Really!?! I thought. Random. And then she pulled out "Healthy Pet" magazine. Who knew it even existed! But it was very cool of her because she also told me how she reads it and then throws it away but realized I would enjoy it so she'll give it to me after she's done. She recognized me as a dog mom!

Now it is hard not to think of me as a dog mom at work since I sit there with a picture of Missaroo on my desk. But I really rather be thought of as dog mom above almost everything else minus being a Lutheran and a Christian. ((Unfortunately I'm a much better Lutheran than a Christian, but that's another blog for another day)) It was a great feeling. I love all the pet people out there, especially those who go above and beyond for their pets and fellow pet owners. God Bless the pet people.

How Did That Just Happen?

Missy and I can turn anything into a miss-adventure and yesterday was no different. ((And let me point out to you that I am currently without coffee filters which means I am currently without coffee)) Miss and I were out on our early morning walk. We had probably strolled about a block from home when Missy got away from me. Like I was holding her leash on one side of the street while she ran across to the other.

At first, I thought her collar broke, but when I got up next to her I was able to put her leash back on. Something was missing however, her tags. I think I must have somehow slipped her leash through her tags instead of the collar hook. Oops! Well actually more like BIG oops!

We ran back across the street in search of her tags. Did I mention it was also snowing the entire time, you know on top of the original 8 plus inches on the ground? Now you're starting to picture just how fun all of this really is.  I was able to find her microchip and her personal tag but the rabies one was no where to be found. I have her certificate which is much better proof anyway, but we'll still have to get that one replaced. What a way to start my Saturday morning.

We ended up finishing off our walk with Missy still attached to her collar and her leash the whole time.

The Fight Continues

WARNING: I'm about to get on my soap box. If you rather read about my adorable dog or one of our misadventures please skip down to another month. This is not that kinda blog post.

One of the reasons I have started to expand "The Missaroo" brand if you will, is to save lives. We all know by now she really saved mine. Now I'm determined to help save others like the Missaroo who aren't as lucky. I want you to know the fight continues, the battle goes on, and I haven't given up even if my words don't keep you updated.

The hardest part is I just don't know if we're doing any good. I am serious when I post on Missy's Facebook page. I try to find adorable animals ((that's the easy part)) who need to find forever homes. I hope someone out there sees those animals and if nothing else it plants a seed like "yeah, it would be good to have a pet." And hopefully that same person only thinks about adoption.

We are also trying to inspire others. When I share my story about the Missaroo my face lights up and I even start to cry sometimes when I think about those first few days of finding her and starting the adoption process. I know we have inspired at least one other person to adopt, I hope there are more we don't know about.

I've also been taking this mission of mine to the streets by finding out about my local shelter. Even if it is just a few hours a week, I walk doggies who are still looking for their forever homes. I wish I was doing much more than walking them too, but that hasn't worked out quite yet.

The hardest part is I feel like I should be doing more. I'm hoping that's what I'm ultimately doing by getting my Master's degree, working toward the world of non-profit. I want to help animals full time. And I want to be doing more right now. I'm just not always sure how to make the best impact.

Have you ever felt that way? There is this huge need in your heart to love something, but you just don't know how to do it yet? That's how I feel, on top of the whole waking up to something missing in my life.  I hope I'm helping someone or something out there. I hope Missaroo and I are making a difference.

Happy New Year!

I know you are all just dying to know how Missaroo and I rang in the new year. Uh, pretty much the way we ring in every Friday night....

On the couch. Although I did treat myself to ice cream and my guilty pleasure The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Happy New Year!