Cool Whip
This little lady scooped up my heart the moment I saw her picture online as a resident of the local pound. Sad eyes and a slight under-bite gave her the ultimate pouty face. Add a bright green bandanna around her neck and it was more than I could resist; I had to meet her. She was a long-time resident by dog-pound standards. Several months. She was skinny -- hips and ribs showed without effort. She had bare patches of skin from spending too much time sitting on cement floors. There was an unspoken assumption by most folks that she was ill and there'd be a healthy vet bill associated with her adoption. I thought all she needed was a little love.
The first few days home all she seemed to do was sleep and eat. The volunteers at the pound had warned me of that -- all the stress of pound life can be tiresome. She received a clean bill of health from the vet, other than needing to pack on a few pounds. From there you could practically see her improve right in front of your eyes.
It has been phenomenal watching her open up and show her personality -- and boy oh boy does she ever have quite the personality! She is a rebellious, headstrong teenage girl! She often cops an attitude, pouts if she doesn't get her way, demands attention, refuses to move if you try to go somewhere she doesn't want to, and can be very devious if she wants to be. And yet she is the sweetest, most loving, momma's girl I've met.
The first few days home all she seemed to do was sleep and eat. The volunteers at the pound had warned me of that -- all the stress of pound life can be tiresome. She received a clean bill of health from the vet, other than needing to pack on a few pounds. From there you could practically see her improve right in front of your eyes.
It has been phenomenal watching her open up and show her personality -- and boy oh boy does she ever have quite the personality! She is a rebellious, headstrong teenage girl! She often cops an attitude, pouts if she doesn't get her way, demands attention, refuses to move if you try to go somewhere she doesn't want to, and can be very devious if she wants to be. And yet she is the sweetest, most loving, momma's girl I've met.
Hercules
When I went out in search of a companion for Cool Whip, Herc was not the type of dog I thought I'd bring home. Physically I was searching for a big white dog with expressive ears. Herc is shorter than CW, is brown, and has cropped ears.
I contacted a rescue about Cupid, a giant white bully with a lovable face. CW came along because despite what I wanted, she had the ultimate say. She is quite picky about dogs she likes, so I couldn't assume she'd accept just any dog I brought home. Cupid was awesome! Friendly, calm, adorable! CW wanted nothing to do with him. -_- Volunteer brings out a second dog. Still cute and sweet but a little more high energy than I was hoping for. CW tolerates this one, barely. Dog number three; we try a female this time. Slightly better interaction with CW, but her crazy energy makes me nervous. Volunteer says she has a fourth dog she thinks would be good, but offers up a warning: This dog was adopted out once before, left at the pound not long after by the adopter, and then re-rescued by this group; recently a man come in to look at dogs and Herc did not act friendly, so he may not do well with men even though he is otherwise a very good dog. As a single lady at the time, I thought this may work in my favor. So she brought him out. Immediately a good connection between the two dogs! I notice he is not at all what I went looking for, but how can I pass up a dog CW approves of?! I sign the papers.
A few days later a buddy wants to come meet Herc. He's a guy, has facial hair, and wears a hat -- perfect intimidating male persona. Yeah, come on over!! (Don't worry, I warned him about Herc's past; of all people to deal with this situation, this guy was the best.) My friend saunters in the front door, Herc runs up to him....and licks him right in the face! Yes!!! I haven't had a whisper of a worry since. As intimidating and ferocious as Herc the ability to be when he is protective of me, he is truly a lover. When we're out in public he attracts and eats up attention like a movie star!
I contacted a rescue about Cupid, a giant white bully with a lovable face. CW came along because despite what I wanted, she had the ultimate say. She is quite picky about dogs she likes, so I couldn't assume she'd accept just any dog I brought home. Cupid was awesome! Friendly, calm, adorable! CW wanted nothing to do with him. -_- Volunteer brings out a second dog. Still cute and sweet but a little more high energy than I was hoping for. CW tolerates this one, barely. Dog number three; we try a female this time. Slightly better interaction with CW, but her crazy energy makes me nervous. Volunteer says she has a fourth dog she thinks would be good, but offers up a warning: This dog was adopted out once before, left at the pound not long after by the adopter, and then re-rescued by this group; recently a man come in to look at dogs and Herc did not act friendly, so he may not do well with men even though he is otherwise a very good dog. As a single lady at the time, I thought this may work in my favor. So she brought him out. Immediately a good connection between the two dogs! I notice he is not at all what I went looking for, but how can I pass up a dog CW approves of?! I sign the papers.
A few days later a buddy wants to come meet Herc. He's a guy, has facial hair, and wears a hat -- perfect intimidating male persona. Yeah, come on over!! (Don't worry, I warned him about Herc's past; of all people to deal with this situation, this guy was the best.) My friend saunters in the front door, Herc runs up to him....and licks him right in the face! Yes!!! I haven't had a whisper of a worry since. As intimidating and ferocious as Herc the ability to be when he is protective of me, he is truly a lover. When we're out in public he attracts and eats up attention like a movie star!
Me (Kris)
There is no purpose behind this blog, other than to share stories of dogs and adventures. Mostly of dogs. And mostly so I can go back to re-read the stories and make myself giggle all over again at the mayhem that is Cool Whip & Hercules. I'm a crazy dog mom. A crazy rescue pit bull dog mom. Likely one of the highest levels of crazy. I figure if you can acknowledge your level of crazy and truly embrace it, you will find much happiness.
