Steve's Camera Skills

My Little Helper Boy!

Jacob saw the mess the dogs had made (Duke had a friend over, Dexter)and he came inside and demmanded that I get him the broom and dustpan and off he went to clean up. He always loves to help me. An endearing quality I hope last longer than it did with his older siblings.

Duke {the pound puppy}

So the time finally came when we decided it was best to get rid of our messed up in the head poor little pound dog. I'll spare you all the details as to why but won't hold back as to how it all went down. We told the kids, that it was necessary for Duke to go to a home where he was happy and felt safe and not so scared of people (Steve or any man for that matter). So they each said their final good-byes before heading off to school.  It was so sad.  I arranged for a friend to watch baby Jacob. I hadn't left him with anyone yet. I loaded the big dog up, just hoping he wouldn't get scared and pee all over the car. He sat in the passenger seat with his head in my lap looking at me with his sad little puppy dog eyes the whole way back to the pound. (We did try finding him another home, but really felt like he was not ok) I got him out of the car, barely, just to find out that they weren't taking dogs until about 3 hours from then and for me to come back. REALLY? I was not a happy camper. I couldn't still have him when the kids got home. So, I picked up Jacob and Steve got off work and met me at home so he was there when the kids got home as I was just leaving again for the pound. This cute little puppy had gotten big and I had to wait in a line full of other dogs that weren't wanted for some reason, while Duke was freaking out. I finally was able to do the hand off. And he was gone. I even paid them to take him back. Such an awful experience. But one that had to be done. We are a much happier family now. Until the next family pup!!!!

Puppy Love

This was our pound puppy Duke.  We wanted to do the right thing by picking out a puppy from the SPCA.  I kind of pulled a trick on Steve and took the kids there first and we found one that we wanted.  So we brought Steve back to look at it and he didn't stand a chance of leaving without one.  So here he is.  He looks all cute and  happy, however, he had other issues.  Everytime any man stepped in the house or backyard this little pup would cowar in a corner and pee all over himself.  He was pretty unpredictable and so after about 6 months (we tried) back to the pound he went.  

Puppy News

We had our little Duke for a week and he started coughing and gagging a lot. Ethan and I took him to the vet and it turns out that he had pneumonia. Not really what first time dog owners needed. They gave him a shot and then we fed him a pill everyday for ten days.

We tried putting his pill in a piece of cheese, then a piece of chicken and then a hot dog. None of those methods were very successful. He is a smart little puppy. He would eat all the food and spit out the pill. Rachel reminded us that our old neighbors in Texas used to give there dog a pill wrapped in some bread with peanut butter. SUCCESS!!!

We were all a little nervous for little Duke. We knew he was pretty mellow for a puppy and now we no why.

But no worries, he is now ALL PUPPY!!! He has only chewed up 4 pairs of goggles, a couple of swim noodles, one shoe, one soccer ball, one kick board, etc... He is actually still a really good puppy. And we ALL love him. Well, okay....Steve is still trying his hardest.

At the Vet.

How can you not love this! He is a cuddler!Growing Up!