Welcome, Stella!

We adopted a dog this week!

We've been talking about getting a dog for a number of years, but the time never seemed right.

Until now. 

I think we needed the kids to be a bit older (they're 7-1/2 and 11-1/2  now), and more importantly, we needed to put some distance between us and our old lives on the couch.

If you've been reading for a while, you may have noticed that our weekends involve going for hikes, swims, to the beach, to the park and so on as often as possible...and that our vacations involve camping rather than airplanes and hotels.

Things weren't always this active - but they have been for a couple of years now.

Yep, time's right to add a dog to the family. 

Enter...Stella!



Welcome home, Stella!

We noticed Stella on the Toronto Animal Services website last weekend after the kids and I got back from camping. Called to ask about her. Mentioned we have kids. Staff thought we should meet her. And the next thing you know, we were jumping in the car.

Before meeting her. we talked at length with the staff about our family, our routines, our home and so on. They said that we DEFINITELY needed to meet her.

And there she was - big, gentle, calm Stella. Spent a lot time with her, fell in love, said "see you in the morning" and went out to buy supplies.

At the dog park. I love that she's listening to whatever my daughter is whispering to her.

Stella's a 20-month old Shepherd/Husky cross and she's the dog of our dreams. Housebroken, leash trained,  beautiful manners, eager to please, great with the kids, great with adults and loves other dogs. Best of all, she immediately accepted us as her new family.

In motion at the dog park. Can you see her grinning?

Bonus - for a low, low adoption fee, she came with all of her shots, a clean bill of health and she's been spayed. And did I mention that she's housebroken? :-)


Happy, happy boy with a happy, happy dog

To be honest - I never thought we'd adopt a dog from a shelter. I know it's the right thing to do, and our cats have all come from shelters, but I've always been nervous about not knowing a dog's history, particularly since we've got kids.

Check her out - heeling, slack leash, walking calmly with her boy.
This relationship is off to a great start.

Oh man, was I wrong. The perfect dog was waiting for us.

One might be waiting for you too. Just sayin'.

http://www.toronto.ca/animal_services/pet_adoption.htm


Here's this week's recap:

Dog, dog park, dog park, drive to gym/workout, bike to gym/workout (6K round trip), dog park, walk the dog. Somewhere in there, I signed my daughter and I up for a women's only 5K this fall. This one comes with firefighters and great swag - can't wait!

Ride home from the gym. 8.15pm and it's getting dark. So sad to see the end of summer.