Rosie and Rudy: Wrapped Around Her Little Paw

Our sweet yellow Labrador Retriever, Rudy, is two now.  His very favorite toy is his jolly ball.  

Whenever we step out in the backyard, Rudy is zooming off to retrieve it, then appears before us with that expectant look.  You know, THAT look:  throw it!

So, on day three of Rosie's life with us, it came as a surprise when Rudy brought his jolly ball... to Rosie.

Since that first time, it has become a kind of ritual.  Rudy brings the jolly ball to Rosie and seems to be trying to help her learn to play with it.  It is obvious that she's not going to throw it for him.  He's simply sharing... his most prized possession. 

 See, Rosie.  You grab onto the rope so you can carry it.

 That's it, Rosie!

 Don't run away, Rosie!  Come back!

 See?  I'll show you again.

It has been interesting having a puppy in the house again.  It took some time before Jeffie and Rudy really warmed up to the idea.  Rudy cracked first when he saw Rosie playing with some toys inside the house.  Pretty soon he was bringing some of his favorites to her, then just watching to see what she would do with them.  She was entertained by the toys;  Rudy was entertained by Rosie!

Here's my sweetie, Rudy.  What a wonderful big brother!

Love is irresistible and so is puppy Rosie

Every once in awhile, the dog daddy and I exchange a glance and sigh... yes, we are wacko for adopting a puppy at this time in our lives.  

With his illness, my continuing commitment to my mother with her failing health, and everything else we have going on, most people would decide this is not the optimal time to fool around with a puppy.

I say - in the case of Rosie - conventional wisdom is dead wrong. 

What a joy!  What a healing life force! 

Plus, we haven't laughed like this for a long while!

If we've been through the pruning sheers of life this past year, so have Jeffie and Rudy.  They weren't sure at all about the new family member.  Rudy seemed stunned.  Jeffie seemed to think she was just one more worry.

At first, Rudy couldn't decided if she was something to be feared or she just might be fun.   Didn't take long and he found the later to be true.  Ultra gentle in his play with her, he accepted her play blows and her offering of her little submissive tummy.

 

Doggie tag.  Rosie is "it."  Just look at the joy on Rudy's face!

 Yesterday Rudy began delivering his beloved Jolly Ball to Rosie to play with.

Jeffie tried to herd Rosie.  And for a bit he seemed to think she was prey to be stalked.  Unfortunately for him, Rosie's mama was a Golden Retriever and she was in love with Jeffie at first sight.

 

Though not pushy, Rosie has a strong sense of self and is no shrinking violet!

 Play bow!  Nicely done, Rosie!

Yesterday I was sitting out on the edge of the deck, tossing a flippy flier for Rudy.  Jeffie came to sit next to me and to be petted.   Rosie was mesmerized by Rudy's play, but when she saw me and Jeffie, she crept closer.  And closer.  

Pretty soon she was sitting on his tail.   As luck would have it, when he twisted his head around to growl at her, she was totally focused on Rudy.  Jeffie was still for a long moment.  I thought he's get up and move away.

Nope.  Jeffie leaned around and gently began licking Rosie's head.

 Later, yesterday afternoon, I was out in the studio finishing up some custom work.  One time I glanced up and I couldn't believe my eyes.  Jeffie and Rudy were cuddled up together asleep.

Rosie is an irresistible life force.  Rosie is love.

There's a New Dog Girl at Talking Dogs!

 Meet Rosie.

I've been trolling Petfinder and Petango lately, tempting myself.  Actually, a few weeks ago, the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri posted an older dog that I absolutely fell in love with, but she was already adopted when I called.

The Dog Daddy prefers adopting puppies and I really couldn't argue with that.  After all, I'm a woman with perpetual puppy fever.

When I saw the Petfinder listing for this puppy, something in my heart told me:  this is the one.

No photograph, but they said she was black, which was pretty much a requirement for me.  And they said she was a Golden Retriever / Labrador Retriever mix.   My heart dog, Lucy, was the same mix and, at least in my opinion, the closest thing to perfection.

So, on Friday off we went to Dogwood Animal Shelter to adopt this precious girl.  One look and it was love at first sight.

Warning:  You are going to get very tired of hearing about this pup.

Jeffie hasn't been quite sure of the new addition, but just Sunday morning Rudy discovered that she's FUN!  Of course, my video camera would not turn on so I could capture Rudy and Rosie doing their play bows and their game of tag.

More photos soon.  The really good news is that Rosie, at least so far, shows no indication of being Amish or in any Witness Protection Program! 

Right now I have to work on my New Year's resolution:  work less; play with pups more.

Puppy Pictures at For Love of a Dog

Puppy with Lucy looking on.

We haven't definitely decided on a name yet, so I'm just going to call him Puppy.  And what a puppy he is.  Puppy came from an unplanned litter.  The family moved here from Kentucky and before they could get a yard fence installed their purebred Labrador Retriever, Daisy, came into heat and had a rendevous with a neighbor dog.  Daddy is a chocolate colored Lab mix, but looks purebred.  Daisy is a gorgeous white lab.  The family had no intention of ever breeding Daisy, but put off the spay job until after they moved.  They were none too happy when Daisy turned up pregnant.

As you may remember, Gary ran into Daisy's owner at our vet's office.  Jamie had a laundry basket full of lab puppies:  black, chocolate, ginger yellow, and the lemon/white all there to be vet checked, get their first shots and be wormed.   When we went to Jamie's house we were able to meet Daisy, as well as get a look at the pup's father.   All beautiful canines.  The hard part was picking just one puppy.


Jeffie checking him out.

Today Puppy is trying to get Jeffie and Tucker to play.  He does the play bow and softly yips...  and Tucker runs.  Jeffie is not at all sure what to make of him.   Lucy adores him.  Almost every photo we take of the puppy, Lucy is horning in.  Not because she's a camera hog, she's focused on the puppy.



Lucy supervising playtime.

He's such a mellow big lug of a puppy and, at least so far, simply a delight.  We're having fun snapping photos of his firsts:  first collar, first walk on a leash, firsh play toys, you know the new puppy drill.

We're having an awful lot of fun here at For Love of a Dog.  Who was it that said:  Whoever said money can't buy happiness forgot about puppies.