Where did the days go?

It's hard to believe that almost two weeks have gone by since the eleven new friends joined us. I had such high hopes for this blog, I was going to chronicle the puppies daily changes and happenings. I was going to write inspiring pieces that would move my readers. So much for that. These past 13 days have truly been a blur of laundry, trash, feeding, visits to the vet, and mad searches online for advice. Throw in a few visitors, a fun puppy shower, an occasional foray into my other job (teaching), a daily walk and you have a pretty good idea of what I've been doing.

Now, I don't say this to imply that I'm unhappy or regret this in any way. I'm not and I don't. I did sadly realize that I cannot go camping. I can't grab a towel and book and head to the beach for the whole day. But I can sit here and write, lounging on a patio chair in front of the pool. I can smile with pleasure with each new thing these adorable puppies are doing. I can read for pleasure. I can do lots of things that others who have jobs requiring them to work 50 weeks a year cannot do.

I've been reminded on a daily basis of the amazing love that a dog (or twelve dogs) can provide. Their ability to wag their tail, greet you upon arriving, or nuzzle your hand for more petting is something that rewards an owner (or foster) multiple times in a day. Even their misdeeds can eventually (after you scold and clean up the mess) bring a smile or a chuckle. Lily, the mama, has a strong food drive. Not sure if she was deprived of food previously, or is just constantly trying to replace the calories she is burning, but she is on the hunt constantly. This week she absconded with half a loaf of wheat bread left on the counter. She managed to get a bag of almonds one of the boys left too close to the edge, and her largest haul was a bag of red potatoes! Why a bag of red potatoes I will never know. But the remains of these have been found in and out of the house, although she did leave a pile of untouched potatoes on the back lawn! And the puppies, oh the puppies! They can hear really well now, and clamor to the side of the enclosure when they hear someone walk in. If I sit in with them, they rush to me and climb up on me, all ten of them! There is nothing like the smell of ten puppies either: it's almost intoxicating, like a drug of which I cannot get enough. So as each day rushes by, I try to take a moment each day and allow the joy of this experience to wash over me.

Puppies? Sure! How many did you say?

The damage is done. To my carpet for sure. To my summer vacation definitely. To my other dog.....he'll get over it. How could I say no? In my desire for a "buddy" for Rudy, one thing led to another, and before I knew it we were at Home Depot purchasing plywood and stick on tile!

You know how it goes: a friend sees the facebook post. She inquires if I'd like to foster a mother lab and her puppies. "Yes!" I emphatically replied. After that it went fast: contact with her friend Barb, who works with several lab rescue organizations. Phone calls all around. An appointment made to come see our home. LOTS of picking up and putting away and over-all needed cleaning.
So, we bought plywood, affixed stick on tiles, moved the bed in the guest room, and covered the carpet with a tarp. We borrowed a couple of enclosures, found one at a used baby store, purchased a plastic wading pool and searched the house for old towels.

Waiting was the hard part. As I said to a friend, sort of like being pregnant: you get everything ready and then wait for labor to start. On Monday I waited by the phone and the computer for the call to pick up the girl and her babies. When the call came, and the transfer was made, and I began my drive back to the sounds of crying puppies I started to wonder how all this would work out for my family. Again though, I felt it was the right thing to do.

So here we are. My "rattle dog" Rudy is wondering what in the world has happened. My youngest son, Riley, jumped in the pool fully clothed and with iphone in pocket to "save" Lily when she stepped onto the pool cover upon her arrival. Lily has had more than one "accident" in several rooms. Husband has cleaned it up, all with a strange smile on his face, sort of a "you asked for this" look. Oldest Keenan has been here to help when everyone else is at work, thank goodness. And friends have come out of the woodwork to help. They've brought baby gates, towels, blankets, and their help is so appreciated.

We are all adjusting. Rudy does not yet have a buddy, but in time he may have 10 or 11 buddies, even if only for a short time. The puppies are adorable. They roll and grunt and suckle and chew and make everyone who sees them smile and laugh. And for that, it is all worth it.