The adoption ordeal is too trying to discuss right now, so please tune in when I feel prepared to share more. All your support and interest has been, and is, much appreciated.
Remember a while back when I inadvertently slept until 7:00 and each kid needed something from me? Then I saw a dog in Lad's car?
The dog BELONGS to Lad. As in, my kid - who lives here, now owns a dog. Um. Have we met? I'm allergic to dogs. He didn't even bother to get a hypoallergenic pup. Let's not be sensible now or anything. My allergist has advised me NOT to get a hypoallergenic dog, so I suppose that wouldn't have mattered.
Each time I saw Lad after I saw the dog peeking over his dashboard as he attached his kayaks to the roof of his car, I've said: HEY, HOW'S YOUR DOG?
Each time, he chuckled and said, MY FRIEND MILES' DOG. NOT MINE.
One day when he showed up sans dog, Mini followed me upstairs to the laundry room, the place I can often be found, and whispered to me: TELL HIM THAT I DIDN'T TELL YOU ABOUT HIS DOG, HE THINKS I'M THE ONE WHO TOLD.
I marched downstairs and told Lad, MINI DIDN'T TELL ME YOU HAD A DOG. YOU SHOWED UP HERE WITH A DOG AND I'M NO DUMMY.
For weeks, Lad had been home sporadically, never staying long. I was hoping it wasn't because of a girl - the last thing he needs. He's doing fine, but I still don't think he's ready for a relationship. Once I realized he really did own a dog, things became clearer.
With the dog cat out of the bag, he showed up with Finnegan aka Finn, an Irish Setter puppy, and all his gear. He set up his crate on the deck.
Me: I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT DOGS, BUT CAN HE SLEEP OUT THERE? WHAT IF A SKUNK GETS ON THE DECK AND SPRAYS HIM?
Lad: WELL, CAN I PUT HIS CRATE IN THE BASEMENT?
And that's how allergic-me ended up with a dog living in my basement in a crate. Lad sleeps down there, so he can let him out when he wakes up. At least once, Lad let him out of his crate and fell back asleep on the couch before bringing him out. So, yes - Finn has had an accident on the carpet in the basement.
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| Hey, that's MY sunbathing chair, my little bit o' heaven. I'm not sharing that with you. |
This puppy spends his days on the deck, with an enclosed railing. Or tied in the yard, where he promptly dug a decent hole. I spend my days answering Lad's calls: IS CURLY HOME FROM SCHOOL YET? CAN SHE TAKE HIM FOR A WALK? or: I'LL BE HOME AT LUNCH TO TAKE HIM OUT.
I've not had an allergic reaction . . . yet. We've pointed out to Lad numerous times THIS IS NOT A LONG TERM SOLUTION. Winter-is-a-coming.
In the meantime, I've had to occasionally shuffle Finn and all his toys off the deck and into the yard in order to give my small charges some deck time with the ride on toys. For about a week, Lad rigged it so that Finn was gated in the gazebo portion of the deck. That seemed like a great solution until one day he hopped the doggie gate and was enthusiastically licking a 14 month old to death. His advances were most unwelcome.
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| He wasn't going to be able to pull me off course, seeing as I was pushing a super heavy stroller. |
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| "That was almost a mile . . . I'm pooped." |
Great news on both counts. No dognapping charges and selling a car in these times where there are VERY FEW CARS is something to celebrate.
When we got home, I realized Finn's food and water were still in the gazebo. I put him in the gazebo while I put the babies down for their naps. I heard yelping and barking while I was upstairs. I assumed a dog had come to play or was at least walking by. I raced downstairs. Finn had jumped the gate, again. His harness was caught on the gate and he was hanging there, front feet mid air. Fortunately he wasn't hurt, just freaked out. As was I.
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| Had my phone in my hand and snapped this quickly before I unhooked him so I could show Lad that this was no longer a safe way to pen him up. |
Mini's theory: YOU'RE SECRETLY LOVING FINN. WATCH, YOUR GOING TO BE THE ONE HE'S TIGHTEST WITH.
I've never said that I didn't like dogs, oh contraire. I just can't own one. Um, or live with one.
24 comments:
What a beautiful dog and I love that name for an Irish Setter! Owning a dog might be a great thing for Lad. I'm sorry that you are allergic though. What a bummer because I would be petting that thing pup all day!!
Also, I will be adding your adoption to my rosary prayer intentions this month.
Never a dull moment at your house! He is such a pretty puppy, I’m glad he hasn’t caused you any allergy issues so far.
-AM
Oh my gosh - an "accidental" dog! That is too funny. You are definitely going to fall in love with Finn. As someone with animal allergies, I empathize.
I feel like this might be a great support dog for him. But I understand allergies. I had them but once we got Buddy, I adapted.
He is a beautiful dog. My bet is on you getting attached to him. ;)
By the way, it's a HUGE deal selling a car now since there are no cars to sell with that sensor thing going on. What a time. :(
Oh man. On the one hand, I feel your pain. On the other hand - puppy, puppy, puppy, IRISH SETTER!!!, big moosey feet, silky IRISH SETTER head, silky IRISH SETTER leg fur, big moosey feet, puppy, puppy, puppy! I am suddenly ten years old remembering by best friend’s very patient, very soft, absolutely wonderful Irish Setter. Thank you for sparking those memories. Hope things work out….somehow.
P.S. I think Irish Setters grow to 70lbs…. just fyi… they get BIG ;-)
But he's so handsome! How can you resist? This is how my parents wound up with two dogs. My brothers got dogs, and didn't really have time for them. So my Dad started taking them for walks. And then the dogs started to have sleepovers. And now my parents have two large dogs - a black German Shepard and a brown French Mastiff. But my brothers (who are 41 and 31 now, not teenagers) pay the vet bills and feed bills for "their" dogs.
I think it will be really good for you Ernie, to have someone else to take care of and to put their needs first. Lol haha! Looks like a cute dog though. I’m so sorry you’re overwhelmed with all the adoption talk. It’s been emotional reading it, so goodness knows what it’s like to actually live it. Take a breath if that’s possible.
An Irish Setter sounds like the perfect pup for your Irish family!
I'm sorry the adoption process is not going well. It must be a very stressful thing for you and your family, and it is so sad to think about little kids stuck in "the system" through no fault of their own. I don't have any words of wisdom to offer, but I will be praying for you all.
Beth - There may or may not be some petting going on . . . followed quickly by hand washing. And, I do love the name. *sigh* I do hope the dog ownership will be good for him.
Thanks for the prayers - much appreciated. Currently coming unglued.
AM - Um, when I told my mom that Lad's dog had moved in and I was worried about my allergies, she was like YOU HAVE ALLERGIES?
Right there: exhibit A. My mom doesn't know that I'm allergic to dogs. How? I'm not allergic as my brother, Pat, but my allergist said never get a dog. To me. Coach was like ANOTHER CHAPTER IN YOUR BOOK.
Yes, glad I haven't had any allergic reactions.
Suzanne - Yes, that would've been a good title for this post ACCIDENTAL DOG.
Kari - I agree, the dog has been great for him. Calming. I probably will be attached. Oh, teach me how to adapt. Is that a thing or do you just have super powers? ;) Yes, the car sales thing - ugh!
Maddie - When I was 3 years old we lived in Louisville and our neighbors had an Irish Setter that was named Kelly. Such a sweet dog. I still remember her. It is a really sweet dog and so far not a big barker, so probably a keeper . . . but where to keep him. I do also know he'll get big.
Kara - I agree, he's handsome. Your brothers' story . . . NOT HELPING ME. That can't be an option here. But I do love that your folks helped out - and they're still helping.
Charlie - First off, your opening line of your comment had me squinting at my computer like HUH? So funny. It is an emotional story. If you only knew and I'm sort of sorry I'm not telling it in real time because it's hard not to share but at the same time it is REALLY hard to process it all and know what we're doing next and now that I haven't been telling it in real time, I'm having a hard time knowing where to start or how to remember what I was feeling at the part where I left off, without muddling it with my current feelings. If that makes any sense.
Jenny - Yes, the perfect dog. Achoo! Itch itch. Um, did you hear me sneeze all the way in WV? Ha. So far so good and I would love to prove docs wrong. But I also do not want to deal with dog hair and chew toys and other dog related smells and things INSDIE my home. I have enough other hair, unidentified smells, and kid crap to attend to.
Thanks very much for your prayers. We always knew it would be hard but this is actually crossing the line into impossible. I hope to be able to A) find the time B) gather my thoughts soon so I can bring you up to speed. I thought I had a handle and started to share as I was all THEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. THEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. And, well - not exactly the case. Prayers are very welcome.
Oh myyyyyy he's so cute! FINN! The perfect name for an Irish setter. I'm sorry you're allergic though but WHO'S A GOOD PUPPY YOU'RE A GOOD PUPPY YES YOU ARE
Sorry, that's my natural reaction to dogs.
I didn't realize Lad was back living with you! And Mini's right, I bet Finn will love you the best (SORRY, I KNOW YOU'RE ALLERGIC).
I am so sorry the adoption is so difficult, I am here to listen when you want to write about it.
Nicole - I enjoy your natural reaction to dogs. Mine is more systemic with sneezing and wheezing. :) Honestly I'm MUCH more allergic to cats. I can be around dogs so long as I wash my hands after I touch them, but I haven't lived with one - so not sure how that will impact me.
You must've missed a post - it was a very emotional reunion. He came back in late January after something flew off a truck and hit his car on the expressway. He felt like a few inches higher and it would've come thru the windshield and decapitate him and he realized life is short. He just showed up at one of Curly's b-ball games out of the blue and we froze. Unsure if he was going to start yelling at us or flip us off, but instead he hugged us and I wept.
He's still a 23 year old male without a fully developed frontal lobe, but he's in a MUCH better place than he was in 2020. We really thought he had borderline personality disorder, but that isn't really something you get better from on your own, as far as we know. Now we are thinking he really suffers from serious anxiety. He hasn't gotten help despite our pleas. The dog seems to really help him. He is HOME a lot more - vs sometimes staying with friends who have apartments. Such a transformation.
The adoption process has been a roller coaster. Every time I think I'm ready to share, something blows up and I either end up with no time or I feel drained. Never in my wildest dreams, and we went in knowing it would be hard.
Oh Lad! On the upside maybe him having a companion (not a girl!) and some personal responsibility will be good for him. One thing I do know about puppies is that they need exercise, so your walking him is the best thing for him. Also, yes, he needs a safe spot as I sense a horrible thing could happen with the current setup.
As IF you needed another thing/person/animal to take care of.
Congrats Grandma.
But yay on a sale! And Irish Setters are so pretty. :)
I am trying again, but I have not been able to comment on your blog for a few weeks. I have so many thoughts about all your posts!!! I type it...I tried with my google account & received an email that it went through but alas don't think you saw it. Let's see if this works. Fingers crossed!
Suz - Lad takes his new bestie for a run most mornings before work and Curly walks him around the block MANY times a night, if she has time. I don't know how to own a dog, but I do know puppies need to be walked a ton. I've seen Marley and Me and stuff, so I'm in the know. ;)
I DO NOT need someone else to watch, for sure . . . but yet - when that dog makes a peep, I come a running. WHAT'S UP? WHAT DO YA NEED? I went for a run Saturday morning and Finn followed me down the sidewalk. I was like HUH? Then I realized his lead had come unclipped from the stake in the ground thing and he was basically loose. No idea how, but Big Mama to the rescue, AGAIN.
Lad sold a few cars recently and was like HA, I'M TOP SALESMAN AT THE MOMENT, JUST BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING TO SELL.
Pat - I'm so sorry my blog is interfering with your comments. There is no defense in blogging, so no idea why my blog is blocking you so much. I did see your comment for my last post. Not sure if you saw, but I copied it from my 'comments' section inside my inner blog workings and pasted it in my public comments section. Technology makes me crazy. I don't usually look at my inner blog workings comment section, because I just read them here, but every once in a while I check in case someone has commented on something from a while back that I didn't notice. I SO appreciate having you read my words and my stream of consciousness, and commenting. Thanks.
Wow, I really did miss a post! Not sure how that happened. I bet the dog helps him a lot - dogs are such great therapy!
Nicole - Yep, that was big news. Easy to miss between all the posts about silly stuff and entertaining fluff. I do agree that a dog can be a huge help. I'm encouraged that he hasn't bothered my allergies yet, but winter is coming.
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