8 Pounds of Pure Love
February 10, 2010
Jan Folk has been a friend of ours for many years, and when she announced her Orange Dog project, it amazed us that so many people in Edmonton would want small dogs! We have always had big dogs…Sheppards, Labs and currently a blonde Labradoodle named Jake that is twice the size he was bred to be! Our daughter talked us into a kitten and we ended up with Sophie, a very independent Calico who only cuddles on her own schedule! She was a farm cat with no fear of large dogs and loved to play with Jake. A tank full of fish completed our family.
I had the opportunity to witness the arrival of the California Cuties last October and was devastated at the thought that, if not for Jan, none of these dogs would be alive! With the wind blowing and the snow flying, they all shivered in their kennels while being passed the few feet from plane to heated van. Every one of them was begging to be loved!
Over the next week it seemed all we talked about were the little dogs and how it would be good to have one for our twins – or so I was being told by my family. I was adamant that we had enough pets in the house and our last experience with a second dog had proved unsuccessful. I was not going to be convinced! Then my partner admitted that it was her who wanted a little dog to sit on her lap and snuggle with! So, while I was away on business, there were a couple visits to the Edmonton Humane Society with Jake in tow, which ended with BooMR (MR for Mexican Rat) joining our family. I arrived home that Friday night to find BooMR snuggled in a blanket on Alexis’ lap and both were in heaven!
I remained the skeptic about having a tiny dog, so frail. Jake is very big and my fear was BooMR would be hurt while playing! I picked him up and he snuggled under my chin. He looked up at me with those big brown eyes and licked me with his little velvet tongue. That was it!! My heart melted and I was all in!! Who wouldn’t love such a beautiful little guy!
Now, Jake has learned to lie down so he is at eye level with BooMR while playing. Sophie and BooMR box each other while standing on their hind legs. And we are all entertained when the three of them race around the family room alternately chasing and being chased! He comes with us where ever we go, dressed in one of his many coats to ward off the Edmonton cold. The twins won’t leave for school without kissing him goodbye, then kissing Jake so he isn’t left out. He cuddles with whoever is relaxing with a cozy blanket, and sleeps between us under the covers (I never thought I would agree to that!).
And no matter what the day, or what the mood, he always greets us with a smile on his little face and his tail wagging so fast, his back legs are dancing! He brings such joy to all of us that we can’t imagine our life without him.
Who would have thought that a little 8 pound Mexican Rat could have stolen our hearts so completely!
