Bye Bye, Piper :(

It's been a bittersweet couple of days. We decided months ago that it was time to find our beloved dog, Piper, a new home. She and R got along famously when R was itty bitty. But once he got mobile, Piper did not adjust well. She started to growl at him and even snapped at him.

I loved Piper, but I love my son more. Piper is lucky I didn't murder her that day.

Ever since then, we've had to keep dog and kid separated. That's not easy with a dog who just loves to be around people (or with a relatively open floor plan). When she was outside (if the weather wasn't crummy), she'd scratch at the door and bark to come in. When we had to confine her to the upstairs (using a baby gate), she'd bark or whine and, sometimes, flatten herself to squeeze under the gate.

Because our problem with her was that she wasn't good with young children, we had quite a time trying to find someone we knew who was willing to take her. Practically everyone we know has small children (or will have them soon enough).

We finally resorted to putting an ad in the paper Saturday. Saturday morning at 8:59, my phone rang. I couldn't believe we were already getting calls. The guy sounded really nice and asked all the right questions. So, we arranged for him to come by at 10:00 to meet Piper.

I hauled it upstairs to bathe her (and myself) before her prospective new daddy arrived.

He turned out to be a very nice gentleman who lives relatively nearby. He and his wife are older and have an empty house (and grandchildren in their double-digit years). He took her for a weekend trial.

I got a call this morning that Piper was doing great and that they'd like to come get the rest of her things. Jason requested that I arrange that while he wasn't home so that he wouldn't have to see all her things go away.

As much as I've been irritated with that dog lately, I found myself really sad to see her things go as well. When I sent Piper's new daddy off with Piper's toys, treats, food and extra bed, I had to hold back tears. He tried to pay me for all of her things, but I wouldn't let him. They're doing us a huge favor, so I'd like to return that favor by starting them out with a nice care package for our sweet girl dog.

He was sweet enough to say we are welcome to call if we'd ever like to come visit Piper. We might just do that.

Never again

Life with a new baby makes some things take a back seat. Sometimes it's intentional; sometimes it just happens. 

Our poor little pup, Piper, doesn't get as much attention from me as she used to...unless it's me scolding her for barking and/or growling at nothing (usually when the baby is trying to sleep).

The new parent adjustment period also caused us to slack a bit on Piper's annual check-up at the vet.  What got me off my butt to get her to the vet? I called the kennel to make a reservation for Piper for when we'll be out of town soon, and they asked if she was current on her shots. 

Ouch. I'm certainly not proud of it. But, at least it reminded me. I set an appointment and took her into the vet today. The appointment was at 3:50. So, I loaded up the dog and the boy, and off we went. I was excited that the appointment worked out perfectly with the baby's schedule for the day, and it would give me an opportunity to get to the chiropractor for a post-concert back adjustment.

Wrong.

See, I'm not the one who usually takes Piper to the vet. That's usually Jason's job. I was under the impression that I'd drop her off, head to the chiropractor's office for my adjustment, then swing back by to pick the pup up.

Wrong.

I didn't realize that I would be staying for the entire exam, shots and anal violation of my furry friend. Minor inconvenience, right?

Wrong.

Try simultaneously carrying an almost 15-pound infant (in a car seat), wearing a diaper bag on your shoulder and directing/dragging a 32-pound, terrified dog. It turns you into a wide load that's driving recklessly.

Not easy. Not fun. Not something I'm willing to try again in this century.

When I find mystery bruises later, remind me that I probably received them during this lapse in judgment. 

Piper, before she realized where 

the  fun car ride would end.

Vacuuming is a necessary evil

I hate vacuuming. In fact, until just a few months ago, I didn't vacuum. That was my husband's job. Of course, since our son was born, I've been much more diligent about cleaning; and I've take back the vacuuming duties. 

Sometimes, though, I am still slack. Today, I just couldn't take it anymore. I was afraid that the furballs floating around the floor would grow legs and become household pets. So, I relented and busted out the trusty Bissell.

And here is (part of) what I thought while undertaking this heinous task:

• It is darn near impossible to vacuum well while holding an infant.
• I'm not sure how either of my pets has any fur left. (Especially the cat.)
• I will not be replacing these animals when they die.
• I always thought the light on the front of the vacuum was stupid. However, I discovered that it is handy when you dip into the bathroom for a quick sweep. At the very least, it illuminates the cat fur that's floating around. 
• My living room rug is, in fact, colored...not just shades of grey.
• I'm ridiculously glad that our vacuum doesn't require vacuum bags. (I'd go broke buying them.)
• The flooring company did a great job installing our wood floors, but a terrible job nailing in the quarter-round at the baseboards. I need to figure out how to fix that before my kid starts crawling and pulling pieces - nails and all - out of the wall.