Love Birds: Our Baby-Dog

On March 25, 2012 (our year and a half anniversary) we went to Petco to look at the animals up for adoption. We had made a habit of going once a week for a mini date. We were planning on getting a dog when our apartment was finished so, at the time, we were "just looking". I really wanted a dog that had hair instead of fur so I had my blinders on. The only dog with hair was "Freckles" a 13 year old, rough and tired looking dog. He was sweet but I could sense that this little guy was towards the end of his rope. We were hoping for a "family dog" for when we have kids down the road, sweet little Freckles was not the dog for us.

I had gone on to look at the bunnies when I heard a life changing phrase.....

"Manda, look this dog's name is Honey"

I looked down at the beautiful tannish-red dog curled up in a ball in front of me. She barely even raised her head to look at us when we talked to her. I thought she must be almost as old as Freckles until the lady from the Humane Society told us she was only 1 year and 5 months old!

What!?!

She is still a puppy?

The lady brought her out of the kennel and instantly Honey jumped up to give her a hug. I could just feel the love and affection Honey was giving off. "Every time I let her out of her kennel she jumps up to give me a hug, to thank me for letting her out"

SOLD

As I looked into her big brown eyes I felt like I could see her soul. I knew I couldn't leave the store without her. Patrick took one look at my face and instantly called his parents. (We are living in their basement and they are the ones building an apartment for us)

Honestly, I was kinda freaked out. We were about to add a new member to our family. I am a total planner and I had planned on getting a dog in a few months. I can only imagine how new parents feel because I was overwhelmed with being responsible for a dog.
The in-laws said it was ok to get her and our new little family was born.

Shaved belly from being "fixed" before adoption

I am so obsessed with my little girl! Some people have babies, I have my dog. A large majority of the pictures on my phone are of this little one :)

"Honey" is actually something I call Patrick all of the time so our baby was renamed "Sadie" but is very often called Honey too. It was too confusing when I was commanding both of them without meaning to

I could not have asked for a better dog. She loves her kennel, snuggling and car rides, when she has been naughty she puts herself in her kennel (I am hoping that our kids do that too) she is super smart (she watches me leave for school in the mornings and knows that when I text Patrick at the end of work it means she get to open the garage and greet me at my car) and the kicker...

She LOVES to give us hugs! When we get home, HUG, after she is naughty and forgiven, HUG, when I leave for school, HUG etc. etc.

She is also super patient and will put up with just about anything... here are some examples

Snuggling with Daddy

I looked down and she was just looking at me with her nose covered, I do not know how long she had it there before I saw it but I am pretty sure she was trying to show me how cute she looked!