Animals Are Awesome

Remember that itty bitty tiny puppy we got last year? He has grown a tad.

With all the things that come with owning a dog--hair, fleas, hair, slobber, hair, poop, hair, vet bills, hair and food (oh, the dog hair? yeah, it's everywhere. every where)--they still manage to weasel their way into your hearts and quickly become part of the family. Luther is a big dope with a heart of a marshmallow. He loves to be with his family, never hurts anyone (on purpose. he does step on our toes alot.) and has really been the perfect family dog, for us. That doesn't mean that I don't get frustrated and question what in the world we were thinking, getting another dog, especially one so..large. But, he belongs with us.

Friday nights are super crazy at my work. Lots of showers and people leaving for the weekend and such. One Friday night, a few weeks ago, I was sweating like a pig, running around doing all the things I do. It was 915 and I hadn't clocked out for dinner yet (I get off at 10) and it didn't look like I was going to be able to. I was also training a new girl. It was just super stressful.
My cell phone rings and I see it is my home. I answered, thinking it would be my husband putting in his request for Sonic or some other treat, on my way home.
"Hello!!" (said impatiently)
"Mom??? (It's Josie)
"Josie??" (my heart immediately started beating 1000 beats a second)
"Mom!! SOBSOBSOBSOBSOBSOBSOBCRYCRYCRYWAILLUTHERRANAWAYSOBSOBCRYCRYWAIL"
"What? Where is your dad?" (I knew Jayce was not home)
"HELEFTUSHEREALONE!!CRYCRYCRYGARBLEYGOOKTHATICANTUNDERSTAND"

At this point, all I could understand was the dog was gone, my husband had left the kids alone,at 915 at night, and my daughter was besides herself with terror/guilt.  I was needed at home and I was at work and helpless to do anything about it. It was the worst feeling in the world. I finally managed to leave work (a whole 10 min. before my shift ended) and I rushed home, also looking along the road for signs of our missing dog.

I get home, expecting all heck to be on the loose, to find my daughter happily watching t.v., the boys playing with their Legos and my husband asking "Did you bring me home anything?".
Oh, and I was also greeted by the dog.

The story was told to me in bits and pieces.
The short version is: The kids left the gate open, the dog went out into the night, it was awhile before anyone noticed that the dog wasn't around (it was when they were eating dinner and he wasn't up in their business). Judd was angry, Josie was scared. Judd literally went around the corner to find our dog on someone's couch, looking out their front window. ("Hiya Dad!! I went on an adventure!!")  The owners of the house were not home so my husband decided to camp out on their front porch to wait. He tells me it was because he didn't want to drive ALL the way home (seriously, it's like less than 300 yds ) but when further pushed, he finally confessed it was because he was afraid the neighbors were dognapping his beloved pooch.
Luther made it home safe and sound, the kids will NEVER leave the gate open again, I suffered a mild heart attack.

Just another Friday night.

It has been one week, today, that we lost our beloved black kitty. She was 13 years old. Judd surprised me with her, just a itty bitty kitty, shortly after I suffered my miscarriage in 2000. She has been a constant in our house for many years. She was a tough cookie kitty. We came home from church to find her in the road. It was all very sad and not to be too dramatic over a cat, I've missed her this week.

And, last but certainly not least, is this:

Because? It is totally sane and logical to bring home a newly hatched duck and introduce it to your dog, your other cat and your children.

Do not question my judgement.