Help Rusty find a New Home

It's not fair- to poor Rusty- to try and keep him any longer.  He is obviously not a "family" dog.  We thought he'd get used to having Rowen around, to being the family pet rather than the fur baby- but after 9 months he's only getting more and more sad.  He needs a family without small kiddos- who aren't tugging his tail and feeding him cheerios (he's allergic to wheat- makes him scratchy scratchy!)

Before Rowen came home, Rusty was the best dog.  He doesn't chew or bark, he loves his owners and is very faithful.  He can hold his bladder for 14 hours straight!  (it happened once in a while when we were both working- sad- I know...)  He doesn't run away when you open the front door, doesn't need a lot of space to run- just likes to look out a window and watch the day go by.  (Preferably on a soft blanket or pillow!)  He does a few tricks and is a fast learner.  The biggest challenge we've had with him is keeping all wheat out of his diet.  Lately it's just not happening.  We try to- and imagining having two kids (someday)- the crackers and cheerios and pasta and toast... it's just not happening.  So Rusty is an itchy mess.  he's eating his backside like it were prime rib. (ew- maybe a bad mental image!)

So if you know anyone who wants a free, sweet, adorable, well behaved small dog- let us know.  It's sad to have to give away part of your family... but we really think it's the best for him.  He's old and isn't up to the baby game. :o(  

$631.61

reason #4 why I've been a blog slacker:

$631.61 is how much we spent on Rusty in the month of May.  I just finished the May budget and that's such a crazy amount for a stinkin' pet that I had to share. Anyone want a dog? haha.

I can't remember all the details at this point, but basically it's been a month of unmentionable bodily functions which we had to purchase a mini carpet cleaner for.  Several trips to the vet, many tests, x-rays, etc and medicines... and get this: we never figured out what was wrong.  Matt's positive it's his food, which is the same food he's been on for ages. I'm not terribly convinced, but we don't have another answer so we'll go with that for now.  Maybe in a few weeks we'll introduce it again.  Maybe then he'll keep it down. *fingers crossed* So- yeah.  All month long I've been making him "dog food" of rice, chicken broth, cottage cheese, oats, boiled defatted beef, etc.  It's been a joy, let me tell you. (can you hear the sarcasm?) Poor baby, though.  The first couple weeks of May he was so weak, shaking, in pain... it's hard to be mad at an animal when they're so helpless.  Even if they do cost you your entire paycheck. *sigh*

Our week in pictures...

last night, Rusty woke up "crying" at 2am. Shaking and limping and arching his back and little doggy crying. He looked so bad, Matt took him to Dove Lewis. Seems like it's a pinched nerve or something, and he's on some muscle relaxers and pain killers. Poor fur-baby...


On a happier note- Rowen found his feet! Last week or two weeks ago or thereabouts... he is in love with them. So funny :o)


He also has recently discovered Rusty! Poor Rusty has to just deal with it... but Rowen is lovin' him! Follows him around the room with his eyes, always reaching out for him when he's close enough... too cute.



and speaking of too cute....

Hedgehog: Destroyed

That is one proud pooch.

Lovin' the Moby

All three of us have decided that the Moby Wrap is a must-have. Rowen is soooo snuggly and warm all wrapped up next to Momma or Daddy- (and we get to have free hands!) During the day, it's a life saver when I have to walk the dog (and bend down to pick up poo...) especially in the rain. I haven't gotten too used to "getting things done" while wearing him yet, though I can if I have to. Shopping is nice also with both hands free and no car seat to tote around or giant stroller to push either. I'm looking forward to trying the other 18 ways to wrap him up- but these two are nice for now!
Facing in- all snuggly in the fetal position, warm and toasty with Daddy. Matt can even zip his coat up around him! (Look out! It's a pregnant man!)



The FAMILY!


Facing out! You can't see them in this *really great* picture- har har- but his little legs can hang out and kick free in this one. He's looking at the lights- as usual.

Our First Day Without Daddy!

Boy, the walls sure are quiet! Matt had his first day back at work today- which means Rowen and I are on our own. I was a little nervous about it last night- but now that it's 4:30 and daddy's on his way home- I think it went quite well! We sure missed our favorite man, though. That's for sure. For the past two weeks, he's done 95% of the housework, 90% of the diapers, 100% of breakfasts & lunches (thanks to many lovely ladies from church, mops, and other friends and family, neither of us have had to do any dinners!), 50% of the night time duties (nearly everything but feeding- he can't help there quite yet!), 100% of walking the dog, and so much more... he's just been an amazing dad and husband.
So in ode to my hero, my husband- here's a few pictures that I love :o)


Trying to help Rusty feel included...

wearing Rowen- too cute. love it.

daddy's in charge of bath time until I can lean over the tub again...

The diaper master!

This new parent thing is pretty exhausting...

I call this one "sideburns" ;o) Rowen's are hard to see in the picture, but they are there (seriously, down to his ear lobes just like daddy's) and they are adorable!
I actually had to make my own breakfast this morning. :o( Matt's been cookin' up scrambled eggs, egg "mc"muffins, strawberry crepes with whipped cream, hash browns, whatever I requested! This morning (of the picture) I just wanted cereal- so it came on a tray with a little flower. He's so darn sweet.

sneaking in a nap together

the cord "stump" finally fell off! Diapers are easier without this obstacle. :o)

love love love

What a Saturday!

We don't know how many Saturdays we'll have left just the two of us- especially Saturdays as beautiful as yesterday was! So of course we had to take advantage the best we could. After a relaxing morning (We slept in, Matt made me waffles with strawberries and whipped cream- yum, went for a walk to Freddies for a couple things, then completed a few "to dos" around the house) we packed a bag and headed downtown. Rusty was thrilled that he got to come too. We drove to Waterfront Park and then walked down to "Sushi & River" and picked up a couple California rolls "to go" and then found a nice sunny spot in the grass. I can't believe how lovely it was- the sun was warm on our skin but not enough to make us hot- there was a slight breeze and everything just seemed perfect. We enjoyed our California rolls and some carrot sticks and strawberries and just lounged in the sun for about an hour. Not a cloud in the sky- it was beautiful.
Afterward we got a couple ice cream cones and walked down the waterfront to the fountain and sat and watched the kiddos play for a bit, and then turned around and headed back to the car. We probably walked for about an hour, (drop, baby, drop!) and I was pooped. It was about three thirty when we got home and we talked about going to the pool (yep, it's still open and wonderful!!) but decided to lie on the couch and read instead. I finished "The Big Book of Birth" - my 7th pregnancy/birth/child rearing book so far this summer.
Then, after some marathon grocery shopping, we headed out to Insomnia for their incredibly delicious Chai and some great live music. We stayed out until almost 11:00- party animals. It was a great day. :)

Fur Baby

awwww...... I love you, Rusty

Rascally Rusty!

Matt and I heard a mysterious crinkly noise coming from the den last night. He was busy doing the dishes (again!) so I went to go check it out. As I walked down the hallway approaching the unidentifiable sound, Rusty sprinted out the den nearly running me over on his way to the living room. As he whizzed past the kitchen, Matt called out "did you give him a chicken strip?"
No, I hadn't.
I looked into the den, regretting the enormous mess I was about to find, and.... well.... there was no mess. (well, besides the mess that IS our den.)
How in the...?The evidence was clear, no human hand had done this.
Rusty managed to open a bag of chicken jerky treats that was in a basket on top of another basket that is on top of some folders and photo albums that are on top of a plastic tub! All the while, not knocking it over- and taking only one piece of chicken to snack on. At least he's not a glutton.
I went to find him in the living room and he bolted.
Down the hall,
up the stairs,
in the loft,
out of the loft,
into the bedroom,
back down the hall,
back down the stairs,
"aahhh!! Mommy's after my CHICKEN!!!"
Look at that guilty face. Well shoot, I just couldn't take it away from him. After all, he only took one and he didn't make a mess! (And it was stinkin' funny!)
We'll put it up a little higher from now on... ;)