Meet the Four Leggers!

Kids are listening, always listening, and they will hold you to what they hear! In the spring we talked about bringing animals back into the house after losing our beloved Zipper over the winter. At the time, no one was ready for a new pet, our family commitments were not conducive and my nerves felt a little weak for the adventure. So I moved the issue to the 'parking lot' with one simple statement..."We won't be getting any animals until after we return from our summer holiday." This was a good choice of wording, it left everyone believing that their animal preference was still under consideration, it gave everyone a precise window of time before the topic would be re-addressed, and it stopped my ears bleeding from the incessant 'pet pitching'

We enjoyed a few months free of the pet discussion and a wonderful holiday. Driving on the return from our 10 days of glorious R&R the question was posed..."When can we get our pets?" uugghhhh! They heard me. I said after holidays and well, it's after holidays, time to pay the piper.

Computers began buzzing with pet searches and research. Conversations about when heated up. A cat was found and the search for dogs intensified.

Sometimes, you only have to desire something, and life finds away to bring you to it or rather it to you. A Friend at work needed a new home for 2 of her older puppies and well, that seems like a coincidental fit doesn't it?

So we landed here, a family of 5 increased by 2 dogs and 1 cat. Here they are....



"Cooper" the energetic



"Clara" the camera shy

"Mortimer" the terror. (Mike has nic-named him Morsel)

Funny things happen when you commit to adding a couple of dogs and a cat to your family. Your house smells funny. People space is crowded out by pet beds, toys and dishes. Your house smells funny. You have to keep the bathroom door shut all the time and your house smells funny.

Something else happens when the animals arrive; kids suddenly can't hear you anymore.

Family gratitude today for our new furry 4 legged members.

Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.

Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Your Motorcycle is My Cat

For a very long time Michael has wanted a motorcycle. He's been researching and looking. We've had discussions about bringing a motorcycle into the house. He has promised to get all of the safety equipment and to take the courses and to always be responsible on and for his motorcycle. I have been nodding my head, playing devil's advocate and encouraging his research. Truthfully, I've been placating him much the same way you do with a child who wants a pet. Casually agreeing and faining interest are usually enough to be supportive of an idea long enough for husbands and children to move on to some other desire De jour.

Its a gamble, 9 times out of 10 an interest is passing...1 time out of 10 they call your bluff and bring the motorcycle home. 

I like to play that I have a hard time with the motorcycle. It would be remiss of me after all, to pass up an opportunity to be 'difficult.' Secretly, I am really quite thrilled for Mike. He is so excited about his new bike, just like a kid who got a new puppy. 

There is that pet thing again, the topic seems inescapable....I've suddenly had a vision of the future.

Lula has been going on about a cat. A kitten actually. The research of costs, accessories and 'kitten free to a good home' ads have begun. As too, have the promises to love, care and clean up after little 'Mortimer.' (they name them you know, before actual acquisition. It's a tactic, naming something makes it harder for Mom and Dad to say no.) I have begun nodding my head and encouraging the research. Except in this case I secretly am truly encouraging the research, I would love a cat too.

How can you resist?



The suggestion of bringing a cat into the house has incited an uproar from the family's contingent of dog lovers. KJ is taking the bargaining position, offering to forgo birthday and Christmas presents and opt out of back to school clothes, whatever it takes to increase our family by one dog.

E-man is our man on the fence but not without a plan. He is very cleverly siding with whomever seems to be in the best position of getting what they want at any given moment. Dog, cat, motorcycle doesn't matter, he's like the dark horse on survivor, playing to the good side of the strongest alliance. He's going to win either way. 

This all puts me somewhere in the future... riding on the back of a motorcycle, holding a small dog in a purse, while at home, a cat quietly fills his litter pan and sleeps on top of my desk, in the room I've just converted into an office because the last of the kids has left for University, leaving their pets in the capable hands of Mom and Dad. 



Can you resist this either?



It's inevitable! KJ wants a dog like Lula wants a cat. Lula wants a cat like Michael wanted a motorcycle. Michael brought a motorcycle home so we are going shopping for dog tags and litter pans.

Wait until they find out what I want!

Gratitude today is for the art of negotiation and compromise in the pursuit of family harmony.

 Are you in negotiations at home too? What was the last thing you got that you weren't sure you wanted?

This is my post that was lost when Blogger went down...I am SO grateful to have it back!

 

Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!