We have been adopted......

New Years Day. We got up and were doing the normal breakfast routine, when Kaitlynn said there was a dog on the carport. This was not the first time this has happened. We live kind of in the country and there are no fences out here. Usually the dog(s) leave after a bit of exploring. This dog stayed. She was VERY friendly and followed the kids everywhere. There was no ID on her tag so we didn't know where she came from.

My mom called the vet the next day after she stayed by the back door all night and asked if anyone had reported a missing dog, and BINGO! The vet had just received a call! So we called the owners and they were so excited. She had dug out under their fence in the nearby neighborhood for the first time and they had no idea where to look. They immediately came over and got her. Christopher cried for about an hour. Kaitlynn was upset too. We said we have been thinking about a dog and maybe this showed us that we really did want one, so we needed to pray about it and keep thinking about what we wanted in a dog, and have some patience. Dogs are a LOT of work!

Now, I am a cat person. I don't HATE dogs, I am just more comfortable with cats. They are more independent and don't need me very much. But we have talked about a dog since we got this house, but I had several criteria I wanted met.

*I didn't want a puppy

*I wanted one that already had some manners and could sit, lay, ect

*I wanted a breed that was great with kids and would protect them in the woods

*I wanted one to guard the house

*I didn't want the dog INSIDE the house

* I didn't want a small dog

These are some of the criteria I had. I only speak for myself. Sam had others, as did Collin.

This dog met all of my criteria!!!!!!

The next morning, the dog was back. Had dug under another part of their fence. Once again, I called the owners. This time, we had a rather long conversation on the phone. He offered me his dog.

I was stunned! They really loved this dog, so why? Well, she LOVES kids. And his two boys were now teenagers and didn't have much time for her anymore. She had obviously fallen in love with my kids as she kept escaping and finding her way back to them. And because she met all the criteria I had previously had in my head, I actually considered it. Sam actually considered it. And hesitantly, we agreed.

Her owners brought over her dog house, her chair, bone, ball and food. And so, within 2 days of her finding us, she now belonged to us. She sleeps right outside the back door, in her doghouse on the carport and is fiercely protective already. Beware all you cats and squirrels out there! O, and the skunk she obviously scared to death last night, PLEASE don't spray here again. I don't have enough candles left in the house to cover that stench.

Her name? Well............. Bowser. Christopher, my tactLESS 6 year old, told the man, "That is a terrible name for a girl." He told us how they got the name when they got her as a puppy three years ago. We all agree we don't like the name, but we aren't sure if we can change it. Sam has decided on another name, Murrray, so we shall see.

So, here is Bowser / Murray!

She is three years old. Her dad was a full Collie, her mom was a mutt. She got her build and markings from he dad, her smaller size from her mom.

She is so happy to be here!

Are Sam and I? We will wait and see. :)