Saturday was a Special Day

So...on Friday, Angelic and I escaped and decided to run away for a "dead mommy night". We knew we wanted to see a movie, didn't really care which one, and we HAD to eat at Kneaders.

The first show we attempted to go to was sold out, so we ended up at the late showing of Marley and Me

Oh my heck, what a cute movie! I laughed and cried! At one point in this movie about "the world's worst dog", I turned to Angelic and teased her about how this would make us both NEVER want a dog. I came home told my (still broken) hubby that he can never see it, because he would want this dog!

Then I proceed to cry every time I think about the dog, talk about the family, the movie...you get the idea-I am pathetic. The next morning it is still all I can think about.

So I looked online and then we went to the shelter and HE was there waiting for us!

We named him AUGUST. He is a 5 yr old yellow Labrador. He is completely trained and so tame! Brace yourself while I gush-on about this miracle of ours.

He sits on command

He can shake (hands & all over the bathroom when bathed)

He knows "lie down" and "stay"

He can rollover -but prefers not too

He doesn't bark

He doesn't jump on anyone or anything

He doesn't lick you unless it has been a while and you just need one kiss

He doesn't crotch sniff -eww (sorry but that is SOOO important)

He has never attempted to get on any furniture

He will only play with dog toys -ignores the princess stuffed animals and Barbies

He does not beg for food

He is totally house broken

He is sooooo affectionate, loves to be touched

He keeps his eye on my kids

He will heel to even the 6 yr old -and he weighs 92 lbs, if he wanted to go he could just drag her like a fancy tassle

He is fine with distractions, ignores other dogs

He talks with his big brown eyes

He lets the kids lay on him

He winks -no seriously- he does!

He can fetch a ball, stick, & frisbee! He just kept it a secret until today. I wonder what he will tell/show us tomorrow.

The people at the shelter are amazing. They knew him so well. He had been in a foster home and that helped us get a lot of info about how he behaved in a home and family. They are so careful to make sure that his needs will be understood and even introduced him to some of their cats (because we have 2 cats outside) to help make sure it was a good match. They don't make impulsive decisions -even if I do, kinda like checking with mom first.

I have always been a bit afraid of big dogs but August is a gentle giant, perfect for us. He rough houses with the teens and then sleeps on my feet. My daughter on the other hand has always preferred big dogs to any other animal. She will see full grown rottweilers and want to pet the "puppies". Marshall and I had always wanted to someday get a dog for the family that would be like my cousin Judy's dog, Ozzy. He has been our family's favorite dog till now. I hope we can keep our new family member as happy as Ozzy is.

The difference in our home is amazing! Last month was not great with no end in sight. The wear and tear was starting to show on all of us. Now we are all so happy to sit and talk about the dog, and the kids are playing together with him. No one wants to be away from him. Dogs really do have healing power. August is great for spending quiet time with each kid. He loves the attention and they all want him to love them the most. I am hoping that with Marshall's surgery ahead he can help me get the family through it. He seems good at staying by the daddy who is hurting and keeping the little ones busy so he can rest. I believe we were led to him at just the right time. We needed him even more than he needed us.

I don't know what we ever did without him.

Nope you can't have him, he is ours!