From the mouthes of babes...

Over the weekend a career military man, Chris and his wife and daughter came to adopt a puppy. Chris was specifically interested in a male puppy, in an attempt to lessen the gender gap, he's a man in a family of women, his wife, 5 daughters, a granddaughter, and a female dog named Kelsey.
My boyfriend David has had his eye on one of the 2 boys, Monte, but we discussed it and decided we would be more than comfortable, even proud if our pup could enrich the life of military family :)
We must have talked about it in front of Kael, unaware, as is so often, of just how much "little ears" hear and understand.
Because of my name choice, Hayden, (yep, after Hayden Fry, I'm a Hawkeye through and through) the man thought the pup he'd been looking at was a boy. I had to put a wrench in the works and let him know that Hayden  was a SHE.
They spent some time playing with the boys but Chris' eyes kept wandering back to Hayden. The back and forth between father and daughter and husband and wife was so sweet and sincere, each wanting to please the other I was only more convinced we'd be completely happy with whomever they chose. In the end, Hayden was the lucky one, the chosen one of the day, most  unfortunately for Kael, as she was the pup he himself had chosen to keep, his very most favorite, puppy of all.
I could see the hurt in Kael's eyes as he quickly left the room retreating to our front living room, away from the rest of us.
I excused myself "to go get the paperwork" as David continued talking with the family. I hugged Kael and asked him if he was alright. I told him I understood that it hurt and asked if he'd be OK letting Hayden go.
He pulled away, looked me straight in the eyes and said "Mommy it's OK, he's a soldier." Nothing more was said, just a little man looking at his mother and reassuring her.
I had to turn away as tears streamed down my cheeks. I was so proud and at the same time so sorry that my endeavor was causing his little heart so much pain. I dried my eyes and went back into the room where they were all waiting, Kael followed.
There must have been some remnant of sorrow on our faces, the wife asked if everything was OK. I told her it was, and asked Kael to tell them what he had said. He couldn't but he did ask me to tell them, when I did, there wasn't a dry eye in the place, at least us girls and the rest were visibly moved including the 6'5" 250 lbs Navy man, Chris.

If just one soldier can know they are appreciated and that their sacrifice is admired, our small sacrifice of tears and time, is more than worth it.

I am proud of my son, and his acknowledgment of others sacrifice.

God Bless America.

ad I posted on Craigslist

to love a puppy

Date: 2010-03-03, 12:18PM
I'm the foster mom to 14 8 1/2 week old rescue puppies, yep 14, all from the same mom, all from the same litter :)
They are shepherd mix, mixed breed puppies, hienz 57, we think boxer, but your guess is probably as good as mine...my guess is they will be medium sized dogs.
They need to find their forever homes. If you are looking for a super cool puppy, you can't go wrong with these guys :)
They are available through Westside German Shepherd Rescue, and all applications etc will be taken care of by Westside. www.sheprescue.org
You can visit my blog at
jennafurmoore.blogspot.com
for pictures and information

A little about them, other than that they're soooo freaking cute you wanna pass-out!!
1) already spayed or neutered and recovered from micro-surgery
2) already had a vet visit
3) already micro-chipped
4) already had first set of shots
5) already been dewormed
6) already socialized with kids (my 5 year old son had a puppy party at his preschool)
7) been hand raised since birth including supplemental bottle feeding (with the help of mommy until she was adopted last week)
8) have been around adult dogs other than the mother
9) accustomed to household sounds: vacuum, TV, dishwasher, laundry, etc
10) accustomed to many different surfaces: tile, hard wood, rugs, carpet, grass, mud (not intentional, ;( it was really rainy last weekend)
11) accustomed to baths
12) accustomed to having nails clipped
13) accustomed to having ears washed
14) accustomed to being brushed
15) accustomed to car rides
16) accustomed to lots of love and cuddles
17) eat regular hard puppy kibble
18) primarily potty trained, the ground work is there, they regularly go on pads inside and grass outside, but hey there are 14 what do you expect ;P
The mother had an incredible disposition and even allowed my son to be there while she gave birth, she licked his hand...and they are 1/2 her :)

These puppies have been given a fabulous platform to become a long-term member of your family.
I promise you the BYB trying to sell puppies on here, have not spent the time or effort to care for their puppies in the manner these dogs have been cared for. And sooo much has already been done for you.
Applications can be filled out at:
www.sheprescue.org
There is a modest adoption donation of $350:
Please those of you who want to complain about the donation, I assure you this litter has cost way beyond the amount that will be donated, vet visits, microchip, wormer, spay/neuter, general care!!!
The donation just allows the rescue to continue helping other dogs in need.

Sushi's on a roll!!

Sushi just got a new home, and her very own 10 year old boy to play with..yeah Sushi!!! It was so funny, she totally picked him, went right over, first puppy, and sat between his legs looking up at him with those "puppy eyes" and ohhh does she have 'em!!! Then she continued to push the situation when they were looking at a different little one, who we will not name, cuz her day will come. She played fetch and was SOOOO brave with the talking duck. When all the other pups ran in fear she stayed an checked it out, then carried it around showing it off to all of them!!

Raining cats & dogs!!!

So Kael and I are stuck inside in the worst rain storm this season....and 12 pooping puppies!! I've been allowing them to run around outside for the last week and now they're confined to a small area...they are not digging it!!

Now, it's feeding time and they aren't about to brave the waterfall that has recently emerged from my roof right over the doorway they go out...Zukko thought about it, stuck his head out and stopped...big mistake, a gallon of water splashed onto his head, he yelped and turned around smacking his little noggin on the doorway escaping to the dry indoors..poor pitiful wet baby ;P

I mean granted it's not a tsunami, poor Hawaii or a massive earthquake poor Chile (our prayers are with you) ...but it really bite's the big one!!

Good thing they're cute....they say that about babies when they're colicky and you want to gnaw your own foot off..OK so as not to offend anyone, I so don't mean that, babies are wonderful and no one is ever bothered by anything they do..yeah right!! Good thing they're cute although that does bring me to the fact that I do NOT think all babies are cute some are freaking ugly, but all puppies are cute, so what's the deal with that?

I'm hoping the rain at least slows enough to shove them outside to do their "duty" or the poor people coming to look at puppies today will get a nose full!! PEEEYEWW

They are finding all sorts of ways to occupy themselves...
Chewing up all the paper, pooing, peeing, walking in it and then walking on their siblings, biting anyone and anything even close to you, who cares if they were sleeping, making a mess in anyway they can, just to drive me nuts....oh the rain...and to think I always say "I love the rain" ugh!!!!

I'm tired is this almost over?

Roo is still involved in raising the little ones, even though she was never able to nurse again, after her 10 day hospital stay. She sits outside and watches them as they play in their enclosure and when we let them out to traipse the yard, she chases them down if they go to far away. Being that she is only a youngster herself she plays a bit rough so we never leave her alone with them, but she is also tender and loving, licking them and rolling on her back to let them climb all over her. Raising children is never easy, and often exhausting but it is always rewarding if you give it your all.

Not just mama, still "me"

One of the things I found scariest in the days leading up to and immediately after having my son, was the idea of never being "just Jennifer" again. I would from now and forever forward be "Kael's mom." For a long time I thought that meant losing myself, now I realize it just meant finding another "me" to be. I'm lucky enough that Kael and David joined me in this endeavor but it was initially my idea and my project, something I love, helping animals, now it's something they love too. I didn't lose me I just get to share me with one more person. Kanga-Roo, whom I took to calling mama soon after I met her, is now blossoming into herself again, she has been a wonderful caregiver and mommy to this brood but as they begin to strike out on their own she is becoming more and more the dog she must have been, or was meant to be all along. She is playful and sweet, protective and gentle, silly and stoic, goofy and beautiful..she is many things and I'm glad she helped me to see that I am as well!! Again, thank you Roo!

kanga Roo is in the hospital please send kind thoughts for a kind soul

Mama resting on one of my down cushions. Teeny Tiny found her anyway. Teeny is only 2 weeks in this photo, not even 11 ounces yet!!