Happy 1st Birthday Teddy!!!

It is hard to believe this this large happy fellow was once this tiny little fellow. It has been an amazing year of growth.

Happy Birthday my precious boy. While time seems to fly around you we are enjoying the journey.

Since we don't post as often as we used to we are so excited to announce one of our favorite dog photographers is back doing a dog pictures with Santa fundraiser and we've already booked an appointment. Teddy's first experience with Santa will be with the best available.

I was pretty sure I couldn't repeat what we put Annie through last year where they took the dog(s) into a separate room to take the pictures and the dog owners weren't alloweed to be with the dogs. They eventually ended up asking us to come as Annie freaked out. She'd always done it with Katy and that was her first year on her own. I can only imagine what mischief Teddy would start unsupervised. I think they are also doing Frosty instead of Santa. Nothing against Frosty but I like the pics with Santa.

I am so grateful we will going to a different location but a familiar photographer. Not only do I love the yearly picks with Santa but if I don't get the cards out quickly enough I hear from people asking me if we got the pictures done, so I know others find the pics adorable as well.

Teddy's First Halloween

Since COVID started we've been giving candy out during Halloween outside. Since the dogs really hate the doorbell staying outside has proven a much easier method for all concerned. The dogs enjoy seeing the action and it provides less stress for all.

DH devised a candy chute the first year and we've kept using it as a minimal contact way to deliver candy since. It keeps the kids amused and it makes for a little more fun during the evening. Our neighbors across from us do a haunted yard so it gets to be a busy neighborhood.

I was able to get a new Teddy Halloween Snoopy flag in time for the holiday. I have one on order for Thanksgiving. I'm still putiing out the ones with Katy and I even made one from my favorite Bailey photo that goes out every Spring as a memorial to him.

In years past, especially last year when Katy wasn't well, Annie and Katy would curl up together for warmth on the blanket. Annie would handle all the kids that wanted to pat the cute dogs and Katy would occasionaly grant an audience when it suited her, but with Annie there she always had a shield.

This year we set up the blanket separating Teddy who can be all hyper puppy when Annie wants to rest on one side and Annie on the other but Annie decided she wanted to be up close and personal with the kids and played stealth Sheltie for the evening. When she finally admitted to being cold DH brought her a blanket to use and she stayed there the rest of the night happy to finally be able to choose her own path.

Teddy did an amazing job as he's never seen that many people in his entire puppy life. We didn't let him get up close but he was fascinated watching people come and go

Remembering Angel Katy on her Anniversary

Our last year with Katy was a hard one as she was so sick for much of it. I had thought I'd would have documented much more of Teddy's first year, but this year has had some challenges but far greater blessings. While I may later regret not documenting Teddy's first year with us, I am so much more grateful for the time we spent living this first year with him.

However, today I come to remember Katy, one year after we lost her. I can't but think Katy would have loved Teddy. Something tells me he wouldn't get away with nearly as much with her as he does with Annie.

Our beautiful girl came to us from rescue when she was two. She is why I believe the earlier people realize they have made a mistake in bringing a dog into the home and responsibly turn it over to a breed rescue or shelter the better it is for the dog. Dragging it out when people either can't or won't work on the challenges the dog has added to their lives is not fair to the dog, especially when the younger the dog is, the fewer the problems it has acquired in this first home, the more likely it is to find a forever home afterwards.

Bailey and Katy were meant to find one another. We never got Katy's background story from the rescue but she was very isolated from the world. She was terrified of everything. Bailey acted as her guide to the world, encouraging her to try new things and sheltering her when things were too overwhelming for her. He celebrated when she succeeded at overcoming her fears while she pretended she'd never been afraid of it. She was capable of anything.

When Bailey got sick, Katy was his companion to the end. She was devestated when he died. We had started looking for a companion before Bailey died. We had one failed rescue before finding a breed placement with Annie, who quickly become Katy's therapy dog. Annie had to be at Katy's beck and call at all times.

Since Katy has passed Annie has been working on figuring out what her role is without Katy needing her support, especially with a demanding puppy in the house.

We were very blessed to have Katy with us for 14 years. I still miss her calm presence in the house. I am glad that she is no longer suffering. That last year was rough. I prefer remembering her stronger years playing with Bailey and Annie.