“You guys like to be really busy, don’t you?”

I can’t tell you how many times we heard that sentence this week, haha! Just a few nuggets (definitely not all) of our weird week included: a big scare with Bear and a trip to the ER vet, Easter, buying a new car, selling my old car, dealing with some potential buyers who were totally nuts (craigslist of course…), ripping up our yard, and getting a new foster dog. Well, I guess that was actually in ONE weekend.

Last weekend started with some car shopping (for me!) and found the perfect car - my Mazda 3. We had to leave right after the test drive to take Bear to a routine vet appointment for some vaccines. After the vet appointment, we went to dinner to talk about the car and then decided to buy it, which was really exciting! 

My new car :)

We stopped home to grab some things before heading back to the dealership and Jerrod goes “We should bring Bear! He’s been cooped up in his kennel all day”. After I insisted to leave him home, I finally caved and Jerrod put Bear in the back seat. He noticed a bump on his nose, but we didn’t think much of it. We made it about a mile down the road and Jerrod noticed that Bear now had 4 big bumps on his nose. 15 minutes later, his entire face was swollen, his eyes were swelling shut, and we found ourselves rushing to the emergency vet. Jerrod carried Bear into the ER and poor Bear didn’t even look like the same dog. He was wheeled into the back room and of course, his tail was still wagging… typical Lab.

Turns out he had an allergic reaction to one of the vaccines he received hours earlier, which was completely terrifying. After some shots of steroids, a ton of Benadryl, and a half hour later, Bear was eating treats from the technician and seeing pink Benadryl elephants in the lobby, but we were able to take him home. He’s finally back to his normal self. 

I can’t believe how lucky we were and I’m so thankful that Jerrod, for some odd reason, insisted we take Bear with us to a dealership, of all places.

The rest of the weekend was spent ripping up our yard and selling cars. I removed grass, broke up dirt, made a couple flower beds, planted grass (where it should be), and moved stones for a little path way. Now we just need some more dirt, mulch, and some plants. 

We also got a new foster dog, Roxy! She’s a shelter puppy, very skinny, and she was obviously abused, so we’re learning all of her quirks and things she’s afraid of. #1 thing she’s afraid of - BATHS. Lesson learned, do not bathe a new foster dog by yourself. Have you ever seen a dog climb up a wall? I have. Our entire bathroom floor was covered in a layer of water, there was dog hair 5 feet up the wall, I used every single towel we own and they were all dripping, I was soaked, she still has soap probably on half of her body, and I’m pretty sure the neighbors 3 doors down heard this dog screaming. Not my best idea.

See? She looks cute, even half covered in soap. :)

She had a little bit of a rough start with Bear. Bear’s the most submissive, care free dog there is. Doesn’t care who’s in charge, doesn’t care who has his toy… just could absolutely care less. Roxy has been abused, surrendered to a shelter, and only knows to guard everything that’s hers. So imagine dopey, oblivious Bear just waltzing in… it made for a rough first day or two. They get along so well now and they’re always playing tug-a-war together. I think he gets along with her the best out of any fosters so far.

People always ask us how we are able to foster. It’s a lot of time, a lot of work, and a TON of patience. 

I honestly can’t explain how rewarding it is. When we got Roxy a few days ago, she would pee out of fear if you walked toward her with her leash or if you raised your voice at all. She was just terrified of everything. Now, she wags her tail at her leash, she knows how to sit, lay down, come, and she’s learning manners. She now knows her name. She no longer barks out of fear at people outside. She doesn’t guard her toys. I gave her a new bowl of water this morning and she patiently sat and waited for it to be put on the floor and as I was kneeling down, she gave me a kiss on the cheek. She just quietly observes everything we do as if she’s never seen it before… and maybe she hasn’t. There’s just nothing more genuinely thankful than a dog. It’s so rewarding to see that tail wagging instead of tucked under her stomach. 

So. Here’s to hoping that this weekend is a little different than last! Happy Friday!