Pug Faces

Whooops, it's been decidedly too long, but I stopped moping and am moving on. And I come bearing gifts ... well ... Pug Picture Gifts!

So the news is that Finni and I will be moving to Palm Springs. We got a good offer down there that we can't really pass up. It might be a little hotter than Santa Barbara in the Summer (huge understatement) but it's a pretty place nonetheless, and the housing market is affordable and you don't have to be a gazillionaire to buy property there, which ultimately will be my goal in this lifetime. So, yes! We are very excited. Move should be happening at the end of April. And you know, it never hurts to leave a bunch of baggage behind and start out completely fresh in a new city.

The Big Smiles Face

The Doga Face *streeeetch*

The Smug Face

The Happy Face

The Cookie Face

The I Lub You Face

The Worried Face

The "Really! You Can Stop Taking Pictures Now"- Face

The Tired Face

Pug Life has been great and exciting and I'm pleased with what I got. He's got such a gigantic personality, and fan clubs are forming wherever he goes. Such a great buddy!

He's enrolled in Puppy Playschool once a week for now, where we're hoping he'll pick up a few manners. Last time I called to check in with the staff, they told me: "Finley is doing great! He is out there punching all the other dogs and then seeking protecting from the staff" ... That's MAH BOY!

Such a different personality from Sparky, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it!

In other sad news though, Rudi Cat, my mom's cat, died on February 8, 2011 at age 19... We'll miss ya Rudi, but we also know that you are in good company with Sparky and you guys are probably causing all sorts of trouble at the Rainbow Bridge.

RIP sweet Rudi

You win some, you lose some ...

First off, my experience with Finley has been great. I love the little guy to pieces, even though he can be a total devil dog. I thought pugs were couch potatoes, but not so my pooch... Oh boy. But I love him and we started potty training today. He's a smart pup, and out of 10 "businesses", he managed 8 outside, and 2 inside on his puppy pad. Christmas was wonderful. He got a gazillion toys. Of course, first day with me he fell off the bed and I'm not sure who was more traumatized by it, poochie or me. He's such a squirrely little brat that I trip over him at least once a day, but so far it's been all good and no one has gotten hurt.

However, I'm  really not in the mood to write much lately. I know this should be an extremely happy time for me, but I've had such hassle at work and the woman who was supposed to be my mentor. Well, she was anything but and pretty much had it out for me since mid-October, leading to me becoming more and more anxious and stressed and finally, this past Friday, I got "laid-off". And I know, it was all her fault. I think this was the most miserable experience I've ever had! And this for my first attorney job ... thanks for nothing... Anyhoo, that's been the reason I've been so quiet because things really escalated over the last few weeks, but now it's done.

It's frightening to be out there now, with 'child', and no job. I'm hoping that my connections will pan out. I'm trying to look at this as a positive, because after all, I was extremely unhappy since October and they made the decision for me. I'm pretty sure I want to get back into criminal law and leave civil law behind. It was kinda boring for me and I thoroughly enjoy a good homicide... juuuuuuuuuust kidding. ;) I'm gonna give the DA's office a shot again. I just wish I didn't have to worry about finding employment that'll accommodate "motherhood" for me. Ugh.

Anyhoo, I want to close on a happy note (I'm embarrassed that half this post is a 'wank-post' but that's where I'm currently at, bah!). I'm taking 2 weeks off and hope to post tons more pictures of my little devil dog. He's grown so much already ... see for yerselves!

 And getting bigger:

Pug Mom in da houuuuuuuuuuuuuse!

I guess it's like having a baby ... he's taking up all my time, the little bugger! More soon!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

OMG - OMG - OMG!!!

Picking up puppy Finley tomorrow afternoon! 

That's all I can come up with right now ... so excited! 

Today dragged on forever, 

but now it's almost time for the little bugger to come home to me!

YAY!
FINLEY!

Finley At 7 Weeks

Looking forward to taking my little sweetheart home this Thursday!

Coming Home Soon

Finley is about to join me and my busy life. In a week from today, he'll already be sitting beside me with those big brown eyes ... probably ready to tear into the Christmas tree.

I went to visit him last Sunday again. He was 7 weeks old that day and seems to be doing very well. Personally, I feel he's the cutest one of his brothers, hands down! He's also the most energetic and the one with the most confidence. He was running around, playing, investigating, sniffing, biting, barking and being a silly goose ... I love him. BUT, I'm scared too ... Not that I didn't know it was going to be a big responsibility, and sheesh, Sparky took a lot of effort too ... but there's always that little voice in the back of my head that wonders whether I'll be a good mom...

Anyhoo, I got some new pictures to show and yes, I am celebrating Christmas this year with a tree and gifts and everything that goes along with it ... Finley's very first Christmas will be an exciting one. Being a pug-mom makes me happy.

Finley at 7 weeks

Happy Puppy

Goin' Places

Thinking

Finley's Christmas Tree + Gifts

And lastly, I got a giggle out of calling my old vet today and scheduling Finley's first Puppy Wellness Exam for December 29, 2010 .... I'm such a proud momma!

Picturrrrrrrrrrrrrrrres!

Okay, so I think I went a tad overboard with the amount of pictures I took, so I'm posting the cutest ones here. Uh-oh, I feel another obsession coming on. Heh. When Sparky was around, I was an avid photographer. I was one of those ladies who would constantly update her online photo albums and carry pics in her purse... Well, it looks like my obsession wasn't restricted to just Sparks... Finley, you better be in the mood for this. Heh.

Finley's tail is in overdrive - nearing take-off.

Lil' sis with siblings

Finley on the bottom, brother on top.

Show dog boy

Puppies snoozing after play

Finley getting his zzzzzzs on.

More snoozing...

Taking a bite out of the new mommy

So far my fave pic of my boy!

Ooooh, I can't wait to pick this little bugger up and take him home. He's so full of personality and his little tail never stands still. I love him!

Finley at 5 weeks

More Puppy Pics

The breeder sent me the photos of the 3 boys today, and I'm thinking I've come to a decision. One of the boys will likely become a show dog, so they are keeping him. That leaves me with 2 to choose from. Both of them gorgeous of course. Here we go:

I'm thinking I like the constipated looking one on the left. 

Even though, Crazy Eyes is cute too.

 Here's the show-boy. Fat little ham.

Ham, Finley and Crazy Eyes.

 Finley, Crazy Eyes and Ham (looking rather relaxed)

 Finni and Hammie.

 And one last one of Crazy Eyes.

 

Well, I'll be cruising down to LA on Saturday for some more photos and my first one-on-one with the puppies. The breeder said, they don't really have personalities yet, so we are not sure whether I get to pick one yet. Though I am pretty sure I found him ... 

HAPPY TURKEY DAY EVERYONE!!!

Microchipping

For the last 4 weeks I've been pretty convinced that I would microchip little Finley to make sure he won't get lost, and if he did, I could always find him again. Not that I would ever let him out of my sight, but freak accidents happen and I wanted to be prepared. Coincidentally, I came across an article today that mentioned microchipping and a connection with cancer. That just really upset me and I'm pretty sure the micro-chipping ship has sailed for me. Of course, we're not talking huge numbers of cancer cases related to microchips, but there are some, and that's plenty to make me NOT want to go through with it.... Just a thought.

In other news, the appointment with the breeder got canceled because of heavy rain in LA and the surrounding areas. However, she's sending  a few new puppy pics later today. She said they are the prettiest little boys she's seen in a loooong time, all of them being plump little puppies with cute little faces and a funny disposition. Ooooh, the excitement! I'm going to head down to LA on Saturday instead; Saturday also being the day that I get to finally pick out Finley from amongst his brothers.

Other than that, I'm close to being done with preparations. I still have to puppy-proof the office and install the puppy gate/play area, but my home is made safe. I need another dog bed for the office and some blankets and bowls, and maybe a puppy pad or two(-hundred) ... but besides that, I'm ready to go.  Hands down, this has been the longest 8 weeks of my life. Exciting. BUT LONG.

A photo of the last litter of the same pug parents:

Coming Attractions

I'm meeting the puppies this Sunday! YAY! And hopefully, I'll figure out which one is going to be my little Finley. He's going to be 4 weeks old this Sunday and in another 4 weeks he'll be all mine. Of course I made a few purchases ... Actually, this is only 1/10 of what I bought ... Oh boy.

Well, it was this stuffed Lobster or the Lobster costume ... 

I chose the puppy-friendly gift.

 Little Chilly-Bone, some stuffed toys, 

...and of course a  little elf hat for at least one  Christmas pic

 My Parents are happily buying for their grand-dog as well

This one I HAD TO HAVE! It's the cutest little strawberry house for puppies. 

Pretty sure his masculinity will survive the strawberry era ... heh.

Finley at 4 ...

... 4 days that is!

 

 

So here they are, the first pics of little Finley. The pictures are already a couple of weeks old now and you can't see much of their faces, however, I think they are all the cutest little fuzzies I've ever seen. Looks like it will be 2 silver-fawns and one apricot. I havent seen them in person yet, but I'm planning on driving down to LA to meet them next weekend. I'm hoping that little Finley will make himself known and pick me. But then, I tend to like the 'underdogs' so I will probably pick the one that seems the shyest of the bunch (probably because I fear that he might get his feelings hurt if I don't, lol). 

I'm incredibly excited. This is such a new experience for me. I've made a gazillion purchases, from tons of little toys and harnesses, to a strawberry dog house and a big fluffy beanbag dog bed (which is so big, that he'll probably need a step ladder to get on it).  Jeez Louise! 

I'm also going to enroll little Finley in Puppy Socialization Classes once he's got his shots. And then there is Puppy Training on Saturdays for all the bad behavior I'll let slide during the week ... lol. Well, looks like we'll be a busy little household again. December 19th will be here in no time. I'm just incredibly grateful to bring him home right in time for Christmas. Sparky loved Christmas and this little fella will hopefully too.

Expecting

It's been a while since my last post, but I am happy to announce that I will be mom to a furry child again. It's been something I have been contemplating for over a year but the time never seemed right. Now it is. Nearly perfect :) However, I feel like I have to disappoint my rescue-friends out there. I got Sparky by literally 'stealing' him from an abusive owner who had him locked up in his auto shop for an entire weekend without food or water. I knew the guy because I had done work for him. I also knew that he was neglecting Sparky in the worst way and beating him. Through Sparky I became a rescue mom and I was proud of it. I never regretted having him  and I ended up spending 7+ years with him until he passed at 15. The only thing I always wished for was a chance to have gotten him sooner. I missed the puppy years and I missed his adolescent years and all those other wonderful memories we could have built together ... But then, there was a reason that I got him when I got him, and it was certainly a time he needed me most. Part of this long ramble is trying to explain why I made the choice of getting a puppy now. I feel guilty for it, but after Sparky's passing, I just needed to go this route for once. I have this need of experiencing puppyhood and maybe it's because my heart broke in so many pieces when Sparky left, that I feel a puppy will give me those additional years I always longed for.

Eventually, I want to add another rescue in a year, but for now, I will focus on a pup. I decided to go with a fawn pug puppy.  I found a very reliable and trustworthy breeder who engages in lots of socialization and family interaction during the early puppy days/weeks. "Finley" was born October 24th and I'm hoping to take him home December 19th. I'm incredibly excited and I know the time is right and I'm more than ready. The firm I work for lets me take him to work everyday, so we will never be apart. Oh I wish Sparky could have seen this...he would have loved being part of this.

Hugs everyone!

Uh-Oh!

I can't believe I let this blog go on without a post as long as I did. There's been good news in my life, so I will blame those news for my slacker attitude.

Yep, I got a job. I found the perfect lawyer job in the perfect law firm. It was actually one of the firms very high up on my list of desired positions. The firm is extremely dog friendly (I may have mentioned it in this blog before). I interviewed 3 times, the third time I was offered a position as new associate. There are three in-house "Canine Associates" who make a regular appearance at the office. We've got a Wheaten Terrier, a Golden/Corgi Mix and my absolute fave (ever reminding me of Sparks), Izzy the Golden Retriever. I shamefully admit I am playing favorites ... But I think that's solely because Izzy smells a bit like Sparky and his feet have the same texture and Eau de Dawg as Sparky's did ... I'm in love! Izzy is making me reconsider my choice of picking a pug next ... Suddenly I feel the need to stay true to my Big Dog Love and find another lost soul like Sparky was when he first entered my life.

Speaking of the boy ... I purposefully did not report on his anniversary. I had a hard enough time making it through the last week before his "anniversary" and when the day came, I was glad it was over. Part of me was glad I had just started my new job and was on my second day. August 24th will forever be a sad day in my life. However, I am also ready to get past it all and start fresh. My new job allows me to bring my pup (whoever he will be) to work. I can't wait. I have been looking here and there, but now with Izzy in my professional life, I feel strongly about adopting again .... I also got a brand-new car ... I made the decision to sell Sparky's truck, which was a big step and was difficult to do, but in the end, this'll help me move on. Of course I kept all the little blankets and pillows that were his and had been floating around in that car for the last 10 years. Naturally, the new car was purchased with my future pup in mind: big trunk (for plenty of toys), easy to wash interior (for all those muddy mornings or beach days), low to the ground (should I get another older pup), and black ... I love black!

New life, I'm ready! I'm looking forward to picking out my next boy ... I'm convinced that somehow Sparky will guide me through it and plop the right pup in front of my face when the time is perfect.

Lotsa luv Puppyface, miss you Pooper!

PS: Anyone who loves/loved a dog should read "A Dog's Purpose". Such a feel good book with lots of laughter and some tears ... Go read it - I highly recommend it. :)