We have a new critter in the house.
Meet Norman.
He's a 4 month old schnauzer cross - we're still trying to figure out what he's mixed with. Before we took him to the doggie salon he looked like he was part shih tzu or maybe maltese... Any ideas?
We sorta hope he's a schnauzer/shih tzu cross, 'cause schnauzer + shih tzu = shnit zu. Gesundheit.
My Fella and I had been in contact with several dog rescues in Arizona since November 2010. A few weeks ago, Robby, from Arizona Desert Rotti Dog Rescue emailed to say she had the perfect pup for us. We weren't actually looking for a puppy, but Norman is a sweet little guy who has fit easily into our family.
And he's so smart! (gushes the proud dog mama :) We house trained him in less than a week. He's also learned:
- to navigate the spooky RV stairs
- the words 'come here' and 'sit'
- and he can push open the bathroom door with his nose
My Big Rugged Fella is also a big rugged softie and got attached to Norman very quickly...
Shelbert was a little miffed for the first couple of days and hasn't really warmed up to him yet.
A more appropriate description of what she does is tolerate him. Is it so hard to forge a bond with someone who keeps drooling on your squeak toys and sniffing your butt?
But it's all working out. We've been fostering Norman for the past week and today we took the plunge and adopted him.
AZ Desert Rotti Rescue holds adoption events every weekend at the Tucson Petsmart on the corner of Grant and Swan.
Generous volunteers (Sue, Yvonne, Deb, Robby and many others) lovingly donate their time, energy and money to find new families for homeless pets around southern Arizona. They also do a lot of the fostering to get these little guys ready for adoption.
If you live around Tucson or you're a Canadian snowbird in Arizona for the winter, and you wanna adopt a furry buddy, we can't recommend this organization enough. What an amazing, dedicated group of ladies.
Thank you from the bottom of our fuzzy hearts, for bringing Norman into our lives. He may have started out as a baby stray (from humans too stupid/lazy/cheap to get their pet spayed/neutered) but he's a keeper.
And now that we've adopted an American pup, can we get dual citizenship???
Hi Norman, you got it made!
Posted by: Don | February 19, 2011 at 09:48 PM
Awww...He looks really nice with his new haircut. I hope they become friends.
Posted by: Daizy | February 19, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Congrats on the new member. Maybe it is time to be thinking about ANOTHER new member (the two legged variety)?
Posted by: John Calypso | February 20, 2011 at 04:44 AM
Mr P - thanks again for the info about the RV pressure test. We found an RV shop we really like here in Arizona and we'll probably do that when we take JohnnyDisco in for an oil change.
p.s. Norman says 'hi' back. Actually he said "Arf" but he assumed you'd know what that meant.
Posted by: kelsi | February 20, 2011 at 07:56 AM
Daizy - Shelbert and Norm walk great together on a leash, and snooze peacefully on the couch but they just won't play together. Maybe they'll do better in a grassy off leash park - we'll try that when we get back to Canada.
Shelbert is 11 and has been in a one dog household all her life so I don't think she's gonna change her mind about romping with Norman. But she has been sort of maternal with him a few times.
I know you are involved in fostering dogs in southern Arizona and I can't say enough good stuff about you and the other folks that rescue pups. Wish there were more caring doglovers like YOU out there!
Posted by: kelsi | February 20, 2011 at 08:11 AM
Senor C - bite your tongue! Or we'll have to get one of our pups to do it :)
Posted by: kelsi | February 20, 2011 at 08:13 AM
Kelsi, congrats to you, and your Fella and Shelbert for the new addition. Oh and Norman, as a friend said to my cats yesterday "you won the lottery!"
Norman looks like a real sweetheart. I trust Shelbert will warm up as the days wear on.
Posted by: Tracy | February 21, 2011 at 01:15 PM
Puppies can be so annoying to older dogs. At least Shelbert's not snapping at him, that's probably as good as it's going to get. My dog is jealous of anyone coming near me - including the kids!
Posted by: Jacq @ Single Mom Rich Mom | February 21, 2011 at 07:49 PM
McMom - I forgot to mention this in my comment on your website yesterday... "Nice Bike!!"
Posted by: kelsi | February 22, 2011 at 06:38 AM
jjolie - In people years Shelbert is a senior, so if she wants to be grumpy sometimes, that's cool with us. She's definitely not snapping at Norman and they walk well on the leashes... just no puppy playtime together.
But they both get tons of love. And snacks!
Did you make a realtor decision or are you going it alone?
Posted by: kelsi | February 22, 2011 at 06:42 AM