Alley 1.5

While driving home from work tonight, Jeff and I saw an adorable Golden Retriever puppy out for a walk. The puppy was at that awkward long-legs, floppy-ears, unbalanced stage.

It reminded us of Alley when she was little. This, of course, reminded us of Alley's story.

We met Alley at a Quizno's sandwich shop in California. It was Thanksgiving Eve and we were stopping to have a quick sandwich before going to the grocery store to buy food to feed 20 guests the next day.

A large group of high school field hockey players was outside the restaurant crowded around a puppy. Jeff and I went into Quizno's. We ordered our sandwiches and sat down to eat. Jeff kept sneaking peaks outside at the puppy. When the sandwiches were served, Jeff ate his sandwich in about three bites and hurried outside to play with the puppy.

We had discussed getting a sister for Sassy, but only a few times. And this was the night before we were to have 20 people over for a feast. The timing couldn't have been worse, I thought.

I finally finished eating, and went outside. Jeff was engaged in a dynamic conversation with one of the Quizno's employees who was also the puppy's owner. She couldn't keep the puppy anymore because of some complicated living situation involved her sister, a boyfriend, another dog and a hotel. It was best to not ask too many questions.

Jeff was clearly in love. He couldn't stop holding the puppy. Then the Quizno girl really lays on the guilt. She says that if she can't find a new home, she'll just have to abandon the puppy in the desert. At this point, I notice that the puppy is tied to a newspaper box. Jeff says that's a sign. He doesn't believe in signs, he just really wants the puppy. I asked about the puppy's breed as I happened to glance at the sign on the Quizno's door. It read:

Free puppy to good home
1/2 Rottweiler
1/2 Chow
1/2 Wolf

This wasn't just a puppy, this was 1.5 puppy. And part wolf. How could we say no?

Nap all day, nap all night

It's amazing that I get any photos of Sassy and Alley when they're not sleeping. I think they spend 22 hours a day sleeping. Here's a breakdown of what I imagine they're days are like:

7:45 a.m. Wake up. Beg daddy to go outside.
7:50 a.m. Take daddy's spot in bed. Alley cuddles with mommy. Sassy claims the foot of the bed.
8:15 a.m. Lie on bathroom floor rug while mommy showers.
8:40 a.m. Alley runs to door. Tricks mommy or daddy into opening door. Does not go potty.
8:45 a.m. Cry to get mommy and daddy to stay home. Mission fails.
8:50 a.m.-noon. Sleep in bed
Noon-12:15 p.m. Drink water. Have snack.
12:15-3:15 p.m. Sleep on couch
3:15-3:30 p.m. Eat garbage. Eat shoes. Destroy something.
3:30-7 p.m. Sleep in bed.
7 p.m. Greet mommy and daddy.
7:05 p.m. Go outside.
7:05-7:30 p.m. Beg for treats. Eat treats. Lick mommy while she does yoga.
7:30-8 p.m. Fall asleep on yoga mat.
8-8:30 p.m. Beg for food. Eat.
8:30-10 p.m. Sleep on living room floor. Alley cuddles with mommy.
10 p.m. Go outside.
10:15 p.m. Go to sleep in bed.
11:30 p.m. Eat
Midnight-7:45 a.m.: Sleep in dog beds.

Well, at least today they posed for some pictures.

Welcome home

Coming home is fun when Sassy and Alley are waiting.

Alley hears the garage door open and runs to greet us. Sometimes it's hard to open the door into the house because Alley stands against it with her front paws on the door and her head peering through the window.

Sassy is a bit slower. First, she has to find a toy. In the absence of a plush friend, she'll grab a sock or underwear (it's lovely when guests come over). Then, she prances, tail-wagging, to the door. You think Sassy wants to play. You grab the toy and throw it, but Sassy has no interest. She's only interested in welcoming you home.

The hello ceremony lasts about five minutes. Sassy and Alley wrap themselves around our legs, kissing our hands and making happy-puppy sounds.

It's good to come home.

Still crazy after all these months

It's been seven months now since the initial and only post. Sassy, Alley and Dawn remain crazy and full of adventure ... as long as it's not storming.

Storms, you see, generally involve thunder, lightning and rain. Sassy and Alley HATE the thunder and lightning. They run to the guest bathroom, shake in the dark and drool on the floor.

Dawn, when it rains and we're in the car, does about the same thing ... except maybe a little louder.

Either way, I remain the luckiest man on earth with the three sweetest girls around.