It's all about the dog...

Over a year ago we got a dog. After a lot of time on the Internet researching dogs and tons of e-mails between me and skinny hubby we decided on an Australian Shepherd...translation: HIGH ENERGY DOG and smart. Combining smart and energy is an experience that we could not imagine. Granted she's everything we read and perfect for our family; having said that let me tell you about her flaws. #1 She's smart and uses it against us, what I'm trying to say is that she is smarter than we are...no comments, please. We already know how pathetic that is. #2 She destroys things when she thinks we're not paying enough attention to her (can we say "spoiled"?). The tally count of things she's destroyed is roughly as follows:

8 pairs of flip flops (mainly a puppy thing she's pretty much grown out of)

4 sneakers (not pairs just one of 4 pairs...it's more painful that way)

10 throw rugs (including two the DAY AFTER I bought them)

6 blankets/throws

2 pillows

22 socks (apparently a favorite)

1 Girl Scout Sash

64 empty toilet paper rolls stolen from the bathroom garbage cans.

One scrapbook page (that was not a happy day)

A couple heads and limbs from the kids toys (nothing is as pathetic as a plastic dinosaur missing it's head) *Note: the kids learned really fast to keep their toys away from her. In all fairness doggy toys and kids toys bare a remarkable resemblance.

and last but not least...

One library book...

Here's the letter Chayley wrote to our library. I haven't given it to them yet because I'm waiting until I finish the "replacement" book...I have to find out how it ends! *Note: I included the picture of the "destroyed" book with the letter:


Dear Le Sueur Library;


This book used to be "The Kite Runner" and I destroyed it...I'm very, very sorry. I don't know why I do these things, I really am a good dog but, sometimes I just can't help myself. I got a major doggy time-out and the humans in my house (especially Mom) weren't too happy with me. Don't worry they can't stay mad at me very long because, well, I'm too darn cute! Mom replaced the book and I'm guessing the money came from my treat "fund" (drats!). Mom made me promise not to demolish any more books (or rugs, or shoes, or pillows, or Jenna's girl scout sash...did I mention I'm a good dog?).


Thank you for being so understanding.
Sincerely,
Your Friend
Chayley Rame

I'll let you know how the letter goes over. After all is said and done we love our gargantuan beanie baby of a dog (she's really, really soft and cuddly...kinda weird for a sixty pound dog) and can't imagine life without all those doggy kisses so, I guess we'll forgive her and buy her more chew toys.

Lesson we would like you to take from this post: If you are gone at work all day and run kids around to various activities during the evening or live in an apartment - DON'T GET AN AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD!