Saturday, September 04, 2010

Puppy Love

It would appear I have a terrible history of adopting dogs when Mike is gone. I have no clue how - didn't even fully realize the pattern until today. I'm sorry, Michael. ::blush::


However.....it's been a year since we lost our beloved Beatrix (who we picked out 16 years ago)....and the kids are increasingly asking about getting a puppy.  We thought we'd wait to get to the states due mostly to the difficulty in traveling with dogs...but now we have a direct flight from Misawa to Seattle.....


While at the mall, we stopped by the pet shop. They happy to bring out puppies for us to see...problem is we don't really understand enough to ask all our questions....like WHY would we buy insurance for a dog and what would it cover.... It was fun for the kids...they had to wash their hands before handling each dog...we checked out a Mini-Dachshund....don't think that's the dog for this size family....we checked out a mini-schnauzer....cute...but the kids aren't convinced. The man said it had "no fur," when I mentioned it had long hair....




He said this little one will grow to be 20 lbs.....Jared loves this breed....Siba (Shiba)


In the discussions this has been our thought....
Though Jared has kept talking about the fox-like Japanese breed.....


Bea was a Beagle/Basset Hound. I liked the hound but the kids reminded me that they are known for bladder control issues...no comment.  


This is a Siba (Shiba in the states)....or fox dog as Zander is calling it.... Cute....with funny "smiles"


This looks to be bigger than 20 lbs to me....both breeds have short hair....The kids are sold on a Japanese dog now....and I'm sold on the fact that they are not going to talk me into anything until Michael is home. This one will end up being OUR dog and we should pick it together...one that will be fun, a good companion and a good size for the trailer...because we plan to do a lot of visiting of children and grand children in our retirement.  Pssst.....how can you resist that little beagle? The man said they are "not a popular" dog in Japan.

36 days - these kids are NOT getting me back to the pet store before Michael is home....I can only withstand so much emotional blackmail.  

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

7 comments:

Kristine said...

Cute dogs, all. I'm enjoying your countdown. I have two friends just this week whose dh's are deploying--one to Afghanistan, and the other I'm not sure but guessing it's in the Middle East (another AF chaplain).

Just me said...

Please don't buy a dog from a pet store. They ALL come from puppy mills. No responsible breeder would EVER sell a dog to a pet store. Check into adopting from a shelter or from a reputable breeder who has done genetic testing and only breeds healthy animals. Google puppy mills and you will see what I am referring too.

Renee said...

DeEtta, having moved to and from Germany with a dog - check carefully into rules about traveling with pets. In the Army, they decide what airline we must fly and not all airlines will take pets... and those that do have regs about temp at departure and arrival airports. It was going to be too hot when we PCSd so Scott fortunately had a tdy earlier and he brought Lola to Germany early - we then paid someone to dogsit until our family arrived about 6 wks later. We did something similar coming back.. but this time Lola stayed with a friend and then Scott/James had to drive to PA to get the dog and bring her to AL..... and then of course the actual expense of shipping the dog which is not covered by the military. It was a royal pain...

Herding Grasshoppers said...

Oh that adorable beagle has stolen my heart ;D But they are very active little dogs... need a lot of exercise.

Your countdown is exciting!

Julie

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

FaithFamilyFood - we've ALWAYS got all our dogs from animal shelters...however....we are finding in Japan there are no "shelters" per se and the breeders won't sell to the public - only to the stores. We're still researching.....but this is what we've discovered to date.

Renee, yep....we're doing our research. We now have an Air Force rotator flight that goes direct from Misawa to Japan. That is how families PCS and that cuts out the airline issue as well as the quarantine issue.....but if we don't go stateside next it could be problems. All things we are considering....

Mine too Julie.

Darshia said...

Awwww...Stay strong, wait for Mike.

Anonymous said...

Sis: they are all to cute.... how about at least 1 of each. :):) love/prayers -- Mom T.