Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Welcome to the family, Charlie

Christmas came early this year to the Ferris household. I got a present in the name of Charlie the dog. It was fate, I tell you, fate that brought him to us.

On Saturday, Jay and I were looking at stuff on Craigslist. For some reason, we started looking at dogs. We went to a website to try and help us find a dog that would fit with our lifestyle. Guess what, a Bichon Frise came up. So did English Bulldogs and Corgi's. We really liked those dogs so we went back to Craigslist to check it out. We looked in the Seattle listings and all we found were mixed breeds. I was pretty set on a full breed because of Jay's allergies and so we knew their breeds history. Anyway, we didn't find anything in Seattle. So we looked in Portland. And there it was....


"A Bichon for Christmas" Hillsboro, OR

So I begged. I pleaded. I made a HUGE promise to my husband in the form of sexual favors, and guess what? He emailed the person and we sat and waited. Jay said "Wouldn't it be funny if it was Lou and Angie?" and I was thinking the same thing. They were our old neighbors in Hillsboro that had Bella, the Bichon I have talked about before.

Jay went Christmas shopping with my mom while I glared at my phone and got more pissed off because it wouldn't ring. Jay came home and I immediately made him check his email. And we had gotten a response about the dog. And it WAS from Lou and Angie. Because it was THEIR dog!

The day we moved here, they were going to check out another Bichon so Bella would have a playmate. He was just 3 1/2 months old. They decided to keep him, even though Bella was pissed off about her new "brother". Eventually, Bella would initiate play with him, but that got old pretty quick. Since he was so much younger than Bella (she's 6), and still a puppy, he just had too much energy for her to handle. Plus, he had to be crated while Lou and Angie were at work, and he required A LOT more time than Bella did. They finally made the decision to try and find him a home where he could be out all day and be with a family that would give him the time he needed.

And it turned out to be us. We drove to Hillsboro the next day, crate in the back of the car, and picked up our new puppy. He is taller than Bella and has a longer nose, but he is just adorable. And so lovable. Angie gave us pretty much everything we would need, but we stopped at Petco to pick up a new warm mat for his kennel, a new squeaky toy, and some bowls. He peed all over a few things, then took a nice meaty shit right in front of the store, which I did clean up, but he was all ours.

Bichon's are known for having allergies, but we got very lucky. He has none. He also has strong enough anal muscles so we don't have to have his anal glands extracted.

For 3 hours, he sat patiently on Jay's lap, or sat on the seat between Evan and Kenzie. And then licked all over my mom when we got here.

Last night, we got him a bigger crate and a blanket for bedtime, a babygate to keep him out of places he shouldn't be, and a new gentle leader leash to help him learn to stay by us when he goes on walks. He also went to the groomers for the first time to get a bath and a more "Bichony" cut. It will take awhile to get the full poof on the head, but it'll grow out eventually.

So do you want to see him? I know you do.

He is very worn out in the picture. He had a hard day of walking, getting bathed and clipped, and lots of rides in the car.

He goes in to be neutered next month, but my step-dad said I should let him get his "mack on" just once before getting him fixed. I don't think so.

17 comments:

Lizzle said...

JUST ONCE I want a puppy for Christmas. I mean now that I am old enough to support myself, and since I live on my own, I suppose that I could buy myself a puppy for Christmas, but it's just not the same.

(Your puppy does look adorable but tuckered out in that pic!)

Lizzle said...

OH, and is your husband planning to blog again, EVER?

I mean I need my annual Jones Cola holiday pack recap!

Christie said...

This is my first time getting a puppy for Christmas, too. I mean, I did buy myself the DUMBEST dog ever one year for Christmas, but again, he was dumb, and I gave him away.

Christie said...

And, Lizzle, I don't know if he plans on doing it again, at least for awhile. I know he has been searching for the Jones Soda pack around here, but we haven't found it yet. Boo. I was really looking forward to eating roast beef and salmon pate soda again. Gross. I mean, really gross. If I do have to suffer through that crap again, he had better post something or else it's like I did it for NOTHING.

Mighty Dyckerson said...

Would you consider adopting me for Christmas? My anal muscles are strong too.

Jill said...

Awwwww he looks like a little teddy bear! So glad you got your wish. :)

Yoda said...

Get his 'mack' on?? Hahahaha!

If you don't get him neutered, he'd be getting his mack on humping your legs!!

Anonymous said...

That is very sweet. We have a Bichon that comes to our Doggy Day Camp 3-4 times a week and he is a very cool dog.

On behalf of men every where, make sure you make good on the sexual favors lol

Marcia said...

That's pretty damn cute - I have Mad Love for the Bischons.

I'm just mad I moved into this gorgeous building and signed a "no pet" contract. Damn original hardwood floors.

minijonb said...

that's an awesome story. happy bichon xmas to you!
=:-)

Angel said...

OHMYGOD!!!! That is THE cutest puppy I have EVER seen!!! My mom has wanted a Bichon FOREVER.

He is ADORABLE!!!!

ya, is your husband ever gonna blog again?

Crystal said...

congratulations on your new kid! adorable!

would you mind sharing that website with me that tells you what kind of dog is appropriate for you?

Christie said...

Dyck: I'm sure getting your ass pounded multiple times a day helps that, right?

Random: That's what I thought. He is cute, isn't he!

Yoda: He's tried already. Just a few more weeks and it'll all be over.

Christie said...

Birdman: Believe me, he won't let me.

Marcia: I really love Bichons as well, they are so mellow but know how to play, too.

minijonb: Thank you! Have a good Hannakah!

Christie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christie said...

Beth: I don't know if he will or not. I keep asking him and he keeps putting it off.

Crystal: http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselectorindex.do

Amanda said...

I got a Charlie (Charlotte) for Christmas too!!! YAY :-)