Casa LaPan/Adoption approval..
Since losing Abby, and just a year earlier than that our girl Sara, the LaPan house has been just a leetle bit TOO quiet. While Baxter might be high energy and completely neurotic at times, he's also EASY compared to what we were doing before. Between the medications, vet visits, puking episodes, finicky eating, etc... I really didn't realize how much time we put into caring for our little girl. Of course I would do it all over again to have her back, but unfortunately that is just not the case.
It's been about 2 months now and while at first I think Baxter was in HEAVEN being the only dog, he changed. He became more playful and fun and LOUD. At first we thought he was maybe meant to be an only dog and that it brought him back to his youth. He's been running great, full of energy.
But something in the past few weeks has really changed. He seems lonely. And BORED. Have you ever been around a bored Vizsla? Think of a 3yr old ADHD kid with out the meds. That's pretty much what it's like. I don't care if he's 9 years old, take him to Hummingbird and ask him to run hill repeats - prepare to HURT.
So, Shane started asking Baxter if he wanted a "puppy" or a "friend." Yes, you might think we are crazy trying to communicate to our dog, but don't you think twice about that. He's not a DOG and he does understand us. I wish I had his responses on video. Every single time he jumped up and down, gave kisses and smiled when asked if he wanted a dog. The final straw was watching him play with my sister's Boxer puppy over the weekend. He's usually a little stand-offish towards dogs when he first meets them, thinking he is just TOO cool, but he loved having her around and LOVED playing with her. I was completely shocked.
In typical LaPan fashion, over a bottle of wine we made the decision, officially. We were going to adopt a dog for Baxter. I decided a long time ago that the next time I raise a puppy, it will be 2 puppies at the same time. I want them to grow up together and be the same age and well get all that puppy stuff out of the way at once - so we weren't looking for a baby this time!
I am a regular Vizsla and Weimaraner rescue site stalker. I've been doing it for years. It's like personal torture, but for some reason I always look, just to see. I already knew the websites to contact and within a day or 2 Shane & I had found a couple of available dogs and were in communication with the rescue organizations. Unfortunately there are no local dogs. Wait, that's not unfortunate, that's FANTASTIC, but it was looking like we were going to have to travel to find what we were looking for.
We want a girl. We decided on a Vizsla rescue as we just can't bare bringing home another weimaraner right now. We, unlike most, want an older dog - around the same age as Baxter, but of course needs to keep up with him.
We found Juliette and both of us kinda fell in love. She looks just like Baxter, her description sounds perfect (run hike by day, snuggle by night). They have a video that shows her playing with a younger pup - again, just like Baxter. Unfortunately, this dog is in Boise so the the regional coordinator put us in touch with another foster parent with a dog in New Mexico. The story of the rescue is of course sad, but we're a little more hesitant to reach out to this dog because of some health issues. She wasn't taken care of very well, and as much as I want to give every dog a chance in our doggy jackpot of a home - I'm not sure we're up for the chance of having another sick dog right now. The dog is not totally out of the picture, but I think our gut feeling right now is we really want to adopt Juliette.
So, while we are working on the process (Shane ready to jump in the car to go get her) the rescue coordinator asked us to send them pictures of our home. They are very very particular about where the dogs go and what their life will be like. Anyone who knows us would never question are ability or desire to care for any dog, let alone a Vizsla but we are following the rules and Shane went around the house taking pictures to send to them this am. Of course Baxter wanted to be in EVERY.SINGLE.PICTURE. What a HAM.
SO, think we'll pass? :-) Here's the home tour brought to you by BAXTER
the kitchen - and MY goodie shelf is in the pantry on the left with MY Peanut Butter
The spare room - my LEAST favorite room because it has those STUPID BIKES in there.
I'm not quite ready to get out of bed yet....it's COLD
Where my dad has to pick up all my poop from!
the doorway to heaven. We start all of our runs out here!
When mom and dad are lazy or not training, sometimes I get to go HUNT bunnies in this wash. I usually hurt myself, but it's TOTALLY worth it.
Juliette (or ANYONE), do you want to come be my sister?
It's been about 2 months now and while at first I think Baxter was in HEAVEN being the only dog, he changed. He became more playful and fun and LOUD. At first we thought he was maybe meant to be an only dog and that it brought him back to his youth. He's been running great, full of energy.
But something in the past few weeks has really changed. He seems lonely. And BORED. Have you ever been around a bored Vizsla? Think of a 3yr old ADHD kid with out the meds. That's pretty much what it's like. I don't care if he's 9 years old, take him to Hummingbird and ask him to run hill repeats - prepare to HURT.
So, Shane started asking Baxter if he wanted a "puppy" or a "friend." Yes, you might think we are crazy trying to communicate to our dog, but don't you think twice about that. He's not a DOG and he does understand us. I wish I had his responses on video. Every single time he jumped up and down, gave kisses and smiled when asked if he wanted a dog. The final straw was watching him play with my sister's Boxer puppy over the weekend. He's usually a little stand-offish towards dogs when he first meets them, thinking he is just TOO cool, but he loved having her around and LOVED playing with her. I was completely shocked.
In typical LaPan fashion, over a bottle of wine we made the decision, officially. We were going to adopt a dog for Baxter. I decided a long time ago that the next time I raise a puppy, it will be 2 puppies at the same time. I want them to grow up together and be the same age and well get all that puppy stuff out of the way at once - so we weren't looking for a baby this time!
I am a regular Vizsla and Weimaraner rescue site stalker. I've been doing it for years. It's like personal torture, but for some reason I always look, just to see. I already knew the websites to contact and within a day or 2 Shane & I had found a couple of available dogs and were in communication with the rescue organizations. Unfortunately there are no local dogs. Wait, that's not unfortunate, that's FANTASTIC, but it was looking like we were going to have to travel to find what we were looking for.
We want a girl. We decided on a Vizsla rescue as we just can't bare bringing home another weimaraner right now. We, unlike most, want an older dog - around the same age as Baxter, but of course needs to keep up with him.
We found Juliette and both of us kinda fell in love. She looks just like Baxter, her description sounds perfect (run hike by day, snuggle by night). They have a video that shows her playing with a younger pup - again, just like Baxter. Unfortunately, this dog is in Boise so the the regional coordinator put us in touch with another foster parent with a dog in New Mexico. The story of the rescue is of course sad, but we're a little more hesitant to reach out to this dog because of some health issues. She wasn't taken care of very well, and as much as I want to give every dog a chance in our doggy jackpot of a home - I'm not sure we're up for the chance of having another sick dog right now. The dog is not totally out of the picture, but I think our gut feeling right now is we really want to adopt Juliette.
So, while we are working on the process (Shane ready to jump in the car to go get her) the rescue coordinator asked us to send them pictures of our home. They are very very particular about where the dogs go and what their life will be like. Anyone who knows us would never question are ability or desire to care for any dog, let alone a Vizsla but we are following the rules and Shane went around the house taking pictures to send to them this am. Of course Baxter wanted to be in EVERY.SINGLE.PICTURE. What a HAM.
SO, think we'll pass? :-) Here's the home tour brought to you by BAXTER
the kitchen - and MY goodie shelf is in the pantry on the left with MY Peanut Butter
The spare room - my LEAST favorite room because it has those STUPID BIKES in there.
I'm not quite ready to get out of bed yet....it's COLD
fresh water out of the sink is WAY better than dog water
why aren't you taking the pictures of ME?
This is where I work with mom all day.
and this is where I spend my evenings snuggling and watching tv with my parents
This is the DOG room. I have my own door to outside, and a dumb dog bed, but now that I'm an only dog and can be trusted, I pretty much get free range of the whole house when my parents leave
why aren't you taking the pictures of ME?
This is where I work with mom all day.
and this is where I spend my evenings snuggling and watching tv with my parents
This is the DOG room. I have my own door to outside, and a dumb dog bed, but now that I'm an only dog and can be trusted, I pretty much get free range of the whole house when my parents leave
Where my dad has to pick up all my poop from!
Not sure what Dad's doing out there - it's COLD
fine, I'll come pose for you in my yard
the doorway to heaven. We start all of our runs out here!
When mom and dad are lazy or not training, sometimes I get to go HUNT bunnies in this wash. I usually hurt myself, but it's TOTALLY worth it.
Juliette (or ANYONE), do you want to come be my sister?
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