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Friday, August 26, 2011

What keeps me going

The past couple of days have been a whirlwind! California for 3 nights, getting stuck at the El Paso airport for 3+ hours, a funeral, husband traveling for work and not to mention, a full time job. And you know what has kept me sane and smiling?


Before we got Ernie, the thought of staying overnight alone scared the crap out of me. Now Ernie is full grown at a measly 20lbs so I don't expect him to maul a burglar but he is my friend. Call me crazy but I talk to Ernie. I talk to him all the time, especially when Jon is traveling. I can't imagine not having something to cuddle with when I am the only one in bed or simply hearing him breathe to drown out the night noises (and yes he snores...loud....but I love it). 


When he was a puppy, it was easier to get mad at him and yell because he needed to learn. Now it is different. He has grown up into the funniest, most stubborn and sweetest little pup I know. Ernie doesn't get mad at me when I leave him at home for 4 hours. Ernie doesn't get mad that he only gets fed once a day. He doesn't get mad when we put his ball away. So I try not to get mad at him. I once read in the 10 Commandments for Dogs that as humans, we have work, social life, pop culture, food, etc to appease us but our dogs only have us. This quote helped me get through the tough puppy weeks (FYI young puppies have to go out every 2-3 hours, they cry and whine at night, chew on your shoes and need to be watched 24/7). Dogs can't always understand why they are being punished, all they know is they've been rejected. With Ernie I have learned patience and I cannot thank him enough for that. 

Ernie now has free reign of the house when we are gone. I can't remember if I've posted about his separation anxiety and being in his crate. Even leaving for 30 minutes, Ernie would be covered in saliva when we would return. This is new system is working out great for us. We leave on the TV for him (usually HGTV or NFL Network) and leave the front blinds open so he can look outside. Even when we are home, he sits and watches other dogs go by. I took this picture right after Jon left for a business trip. 

Where's my dad?

Earlier this week Jon and I were talking about our future. When do we want to buy a house, where do we want to go on our next vacation, when do we want to have children. We both laughed at how much we missed Ernie on our trip to LA (don't make fun...I actually feel sad for people who don't have a relationship like this with their dogs) and can't imagine what it will be like when we have babies. If we love Ernie this much and he is a four legged stinky dog, I really can't wait to experience the love we will have for our very own children. I also love thinking about Ernie and our kiddos growing up together. He will be a hysterical big brother. 

How adorable is this video?


I also wanted to share with you an article about a Labrador who lost his owner on the battlefields of Afghanistan. The dog refused to leave the side of the casket, mourning the loss of the Navy Seal. Thank you to my cousin Lindsay for sharing this heartbreaking and inspiring article.


I hope some of you can relate to this post. Dogs and pets in general are amazing creatures that bring so much joy to many people's lives.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dogs are an amazing gift to us. They bring so much joy to our lives and I can't imagine what life would be like without my two pups. My husband travels a lot and believe me, I carry conversations with them the whole time! :) They make me feel safe and happy.

Gina said...

I talk to my dogs too :) I saw the story about the Navy Seal dog and it broke my heart. Dogs are very loyal and this story shows that.

Kelly said...

I have seen that artile all over facebook and still haven't even been able to read it because I know I will cry. My pets are my children and I get choked up about it even thinking of anything happening to them. And yes, it's even more with your children.

I agree, I feel bad for people that don't have dogs or don't have that bond with them. They absolutely love unconditionally and with no end. What a gift!!

Jane {In The Pink & Green} said...

What a great post, the way dogs just love unconditionally is really just so amazing and I feel the same way about my puppy Lola as you do about Ernie! (He is so adorable btw!) My husband and I always miss her when we're gone and she's just such a special part of our life that I really don't even remember what it was like not having her! And I totally can relate about having anxiety staying home alone when my husband is gone, and having a dog to keep you company just makes it so much better :) Happy Friday!

Anonymous said...

I TOTALLY agree with this post! When Scotty and I go away we miss our fur muts to DEATH! When we went on our honeymoon in May we had just gotten our 2nd puppy a month prior and when we got back it hit us just how much in a short month we both fell in love with her! Zoe and Rylie bring so much joy and love to our life and we would be lost with out them. Like you I wonder if I love my pups this much what the hell is gonna happen when we have human babies.

amy grace said...

Such a cute pooch!! I've never had a dog, but my husband had a very strong bond with his 14 year old lab that died about 3 years ago. He was so heartbroken, he claims he never wants another dog because it hurts too much!! He loves every dog he sees or meets and I can see myself one day becoming a dog person, if maybe our kids beg us enough to change his mind :) Most of my family has cats, and we love them like little people/children too!! How could you not?

Amanda said...

aww what a great post at the perfect timing (for me at least!) we're getting our little boston we talked about FINALLY on Monday if everything is according to plan! soo excited! I have watched Ernie grow from a wee one and I can't wait to post a billion pics of my little Huxley :)

Meredith said...

Ernie is so adorable!! The picture where he's looking out the window is precious!

Vivian said...

I saw that image of the fallen soldier last night on Pinterest. My heart ached. I can bet how you must feel about your dog. They truly have souls and yours is so darn cute!!! ON another note I got stock at JFK airport for 6 hours, three of those inside a plane that never took off...it sucks!! Happy Weekend!

Holly said...

Dogs are the best pets ever. Seriously. They turn into your family. That video is adorable, and I've seen that picture a few times...just heartbreaking :(

henning love said...

what a sweet puppy! i am so glad that i have my dogs when my husband is gone too it helps. and they have free reign of the house, sometimes a good thing or bad thing depending on the day, did you know it is national dog day? they bring so much joy into my life too, this morning the youngest one was playing with a raspberry like it was a toy rather than eating it totally cute!

Claire Beeks said...

I love that you love Ernie this much!! It excites me for owning a dog someday! Thank you!

Also, the end of this post almost made me cry. Even though that dog is laying down I feel like I can really FEEL what he is feeling. His body looks so "loyal" to his owner. As it's hard on us to lose loved ones whether to death or other circumstances, it is just as hard on animals.

SO touching :-) *tear tear*

Sarah said...

"My Goal in Life is to be the Person my dog thinks I am." -Author Unknown

I love that you love Ernie as much as I love my dogs! They become a part of your family and you couldn't ask for a better companion than your dog! I don't know what I'd do without mine!
And don't feel weird for talking to him, I talk to mine the same way! Drives my husband nuts! haha

kinze said...

aw ... i love that video clip!

Amanda C. said...

Pets are amazing. I know mine have taught me patience. I like the quote from the doggy ten commandments. I need to remember that.

Becca {A Blonde's Logic} said...

Such a great post! Dogs are such a special gift! And that article about the dog and his fallen owner is heartbreaking story but so touching!

Becca
http://blondeslogic.blogspot.com

Adrienne said...

While I don't have a dog (due to severe allergies), I do have 2 cats and they are my kids. My husband and I once cut a family trip short to drive home (4hrs) on Christmas day when we found out the people who were going to feed them couldn't get their key to our house to work. Some people thought we were crazy. I said "you wouldn't let your kids go without food or water would you???"

They give you unconditional love and as you said teach you infinite patience. I don't understand people who don't like animals. I tear up at every dog/cat food and spca commercial that I see. I even wrote a blog post called Wet Nose Therapy to explain why I think a pet would be a great form of alternative therapy. The article on the navy seal broke my heart for that poor dog, having to go on without his friend.

And the pictures of Ernie are adorable!!!

Adrienne
www.adriennecarrick.com

Heather @ Finding Beauty in the Ordinary said...

Oh man, that pic of the dog by the casket has me in tears!

I totally 100% relate to the love you have for you dog. I've never been an "animal" person until we got our puppy in June... he has totally stolen my heart! I feel ya!

xo
-Heather

Anonymous said...

Completely agree! My pups are my babies... Can't imagine my life without my lil lovies!

Kodi said...

Sorry I'm blowing up your comments, but I'm pretty sure our dogs need to hang out and share the stories of the crazy things we do with them!

Oh, and I'm glad someone else talks to their dog too. lol

Dominick said...

If you want to buy dog water bottle then you should visit dogndogs this site. Because if we can manage to visit this place then we can easily choose the right accessories as we want.

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