Hmmmm....what does that title mean, anyway?  Well, it means that Dick finally got tired of me moping around & crying every day.  It means the end of his freedom to go anywhere anytime.  It means we start having vet bills again.  YES - today we got a dog!  After hours and hours and hours (days!!!) of looking on the internet, and even "interviewing" a couple of dogs (3) and being interviewed, and filling out an adoption form, we were fortunate to find a small dog available in Corpus Christi listed on Craigslist. 

I called this morning (after having sent out about 3 other emails, to 3 other people (breeders & private, alike), and got her voice mail.  Because we're here in Rockport once again, we know the phone reception is crappy.  Beyond crappy!!  Just about non-existent.  That's a story for another day - just know that if you call us or we call you now, from our camper, you will not hear us, we will not hear you, and the call is liable to be dropped.  Soooo, when I left the lady a voice mail, I knew she wouldn't be able to really understand it, so I replied to her ad on Craigslist, hoping she'd respond to me. 

I had also emailed (and called!) a breeder about her 2 Maltese-Poodle cross puppies....but she wanted $400 for the boy & $450 for the girl, and she'd bring them by later for me to see...said she'd call when she was ready.  In the MEANtime, I called Ms Marcia back, and this time, she answered.  Told me that she was giving up her pup because she was surrounded by pit bulls and the neighbors' flea problem was encroaching on HER yard & her life.  She didn't want her dog to suffer anymore but she couldn't control the flea population because of the neighbors' inaction.  Other than that, hers was a great little dog.  Could I come see her?  Of course!

Off we went!!!!  Didn't waste another minute.  Got there, and there was Laci, tied up on the front porch.  She'd just gotten bathed and mama didn't want her to get all dirty, so she tied her up & waited for us to come.  As soon as we got out of the truck, head & ears popped up & the tail started waggin!  As we approached, she stood up - and lookee there!  She was even smaller than I'd thought!  Yes, I had my heart set on a Yorkie, due to the size of them, and the problems with my back, but this little bundle of love was really not that big at all!  We were lovin' up on her, when mama came outside to talk to us.  Apparently, something struck a chord with her, and she was agreeable to let us have her dog - at no charge!  She even gave us a monster bag of dry food and about 6 bags of treats!!!  Her husband came out & talked to us, then they both said goodbye, and she was ours!

Even tho she'd just been bathed, heck, she was still wet when we picked her up, the poor thing still had a zillion fleas on her.  We immediately took her to Petsmart and stocked up with all the goodies we needed for a new baby.  I mean puppy.  You know, pink collar, harness & leash.  Dinner & water bowls and wire rack to contain them.  New tag with our phone #'s.  Yummy food.  A nice, soft, plush bed.  Squeaky toys. And, of course, some poopie baggies!  All this to the tune of $185.  And we have not yet seen the vet!

Yup, it's a good thing she was free!  As soon as she got home, the lucky dog got herself yet another bath!!!  Oh, the fleas just fell off her!!!!  Then we walked around the park to dry off & she got to meet some of our neighbors.  Fred, the little white Westie, a couple of black-bellied whistling ducks, a couple of wood ducks, a frog, 4 squirrels, and a very nice lady.  Oh, what fun she had!!

When we got back, we played & played until it was time for dinner, and apparently, Laci knew about table food.  She was ready to accept whatever we dropped!  Fooled her, tho...didn't drop a thing.  She scarfed up the yummy new food we'd bought her and came looking for more.  After dinner, we walked over to the bridge & fed the turtles, then we walked around some more.  Oh, she's got soooo much energy.  I've forgotten what a youngster can do!  NOW, she's SNORING away, under the table.  We'd better get her up & play some more, so she can sleep tonight!

Here's a link to the photos we took of her tonight:
http://picasaweb.google.com/kcallander989/LaciComesHome?feat=directlink

We (yes, I use the term loosely) are grateful to Ms Marcia for allowing us to share our lives with her little dog.  She received Laci for her birthday, and I know she's heartbroken to have to give her up, but it's really quite generous of her to let her go.  She was really trying to do right by the dog and took the best care of her that she could, given the circumstances.  I hope she knows that Laci will be well cared for with us!!!

Well, it feels good to say, Sorry, but I've gotta go wake up my snore-puppy now, so I'll talk to ya later....

I know that she will hinder our wanderings somewhat, but I also know there's no more unconditional need & love than what comes from a pup's heart.  Except of course, that which comes from Jose!  The plan is to make Laci a little cape with "Service Dog - please ask to pet me" embroidered on it.  And with some training, she'll be able to go with us EVERYwhere.  I can't wait to start the journey!

Good night, all!