This Really Sucks

Last week Luke got out of the house and started barking at two men walking down the street. His bark does seem pretty mean, so I understand if these two grown men were afraid. But Nick quickly ran after him and apologized to the two men and they went on their way. We thought nothing of it except that we really needed to start getting Luke into training classes so he doesn't do that anymore. But on Wednesday we got a phone call from our landlord that someone had called and complained that we had a pit bull on our property. Obviously it was these two men because no one else has ever said anything. Because of this the landlord told us he had to be gone that day. No 24 hour thing, no one week thing, nothing. It had to be that day. Thankfully we were going up to Nick's parents that next day so we just decided to leave a day early. But we couldn't bring Luke back with us unless we found another place to live so we started searching. 

We haven't found anything permanent yet except for a small place in my hometown which is about 40 minutes from where we both work and where I go to school. So that would be super inconvenient but it would work if it meant we could have Luke with us. I have called 10 different places that allow big breeds around our area but the discriminate against certain breeds and because Luke resembles a pit bull, no one will allow us to have him. We have found a place that we are going to look at tonight that allows big dogs like him so hopefully this works out. 

In the meantime we had to leave Luke up north with Nick's aunt. It is probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. He is my baby. He's like my child. And you all know how much of a crazy dog mom I am. And he has the worst separation anxiety of any dog I've ever met. So that made it so much harder. 

So from Wednesday night until Monday morning we soaked up all the time we could with him. He had no idea what was going on, obviously, so he was probably just enjoying all of this extra attention he was getting. Not that we don't give him an ungodly amount of attention already, but this time it was different. If he did something bad I would just simply tell him no, instead of saying it in a stern voice. If he wanted to cuddle and I was working on my laptop, I would move my laptop so he could have all the room he wanted on me instead of telling him no, I'll cuddle later. He got some extra treats though out the weekend, and he got to run a lot more because we were at Nick's mom's who has a fenced in yard. 

Driving to Nick's aunts house with him was so hard. He was so excited, just like every other time, to be in the car and to be able to stick his head out the window. Again, he had no idea what was going on. When we got to her house he was so excited to be able to run around. She has so much land and another dog who loves to play despite being 11, so Luke was in heaven. But when it came time for Nick and I to leave he wasn't in heaven anymore. He tried getting out with us and when I ran back to put his leash with his food I could hear him scratching at the door and just whining. It broke my heart. We both cried on the way home and last night when we went to sleep. Luke is usually always right there in between us cuddled up when it is time to go to bed. So it really sucked last night. I want to constantly be in contact with Nick's aunt asking how he's doing but I know that would be insane so I'll just keep to about 10 text messages a day. Kidding, kind of.

Hopefully we are able to find a place soon because I don't know how much longer I can take being away from him and it's only been a little over 24 hours. I never knew it would be this hard to leave him but I grew attached to him the second we brought him home and he's been attached to my side ever since then. Giving him away wasn't an option we even wanted to think about so we are doing whatever we can in order to get him back as soon as possible.

You may all think I'm a crazy dog mom, and I will totally agree with you. But Luke is like our child and we love him with everything we have. We would do anything for him and even though he doesn't realize what's going on, I hope he knows how much we love him. And I hope he calms down and just enjoys this little vacation he's going on.

How It Would Go

Friday was bring your dog to work day. Which is probably the best day besides my birthday. However, with a dog like Luke, there's no way bring your dog to work day was going to work out for me. And the fact that my work doesn't celebrate such a day probably would have led to me getting in a little bit of trouble for bringing him, but that's neither here nor there.

But it's always fun to imagine what it would have been like had I brought him with me.

Our day would have started out just like it does any other day. Luke would wake me up 10 minutes after Nick leaves for work by whining at me and jumping around on the bed.

We would go for a walk (okay, we've only done that a handful of times so far, but lets just pretend it would have happened). Then we would come in and he would go to town on some water and then lay in the bathroom while I showered. While I'm getting ready he would eat his breakfast and then come upstairs and watch me get ready, just like every other morning.

After we were all ready to go, Luke would go crazy because he's about to go for a car ride. He would run around my car like a maniac for a few minutes and then finally jump inside. While driving he would look at me with the biggest smile on his face. I would think it's because he's really excited to be spending the day learning what Mom does at work every day but really it would probably be because he gets to stick his head out the window.

We would finally pull up to work an he would jump out while pulling me along with him because he's just so excited to go to new places. However, once we actually would get into the office this is where all of the fun would begin. He would bark his head off at all of the new people he's meeting until he finally realizes that they are all some super awesome people. Because I sit at a desk all day, he would get antsy and probably end up running around the entire office. Oh, and because we're a marketing office with 24235432 different computers and whatnot, he would probably destroy a few of those as well. After sniffing and searching through everything all morning and making new friends, he would probably come lay down by my feet. That is until someone moved or made even the slightest little noise. Then it would be up and at it again for him, because he has to inspect everything and make sure everything is alright.

By this time I'm sure I would be ready to pull my hair out and want to take him home. But if we're getting technical and talking about what I actually do on Fridays, I wouldn't be able to leave because I have class at 2. So we would have lunch, well I would have lunch and Luke would just sit there trying to steal my food, and then it would be more sitting. If I'm being real though, I wouldn't be sitting at all. I would be chasing him around the office like a mad man the entire time. And I'm not exaggerating. It would be the entire time. He has ADD or something.

Finally it would be time to go to class, where he would meet more new people, bark at them, and then probably try to help the teacher lecture. He's a really good helper. At least he likes to think so. He also likes to think I need help with everything, from going to the bathroom to doing the dishes. So he would probably run around the classroom, maybe eat a few of papers, and then sit and whine at me to take him outside 4231432 different times.

And this is how the day would end, because he would be so worn out from not taking a nap at all that he would probably pass out the second we got home. He enjoys sleeping all day and then being awake all night, so maybe I should risk getting him in trouble by bringing him to work with me so we can all actually get some sleep for once.

Destruction

Last week I let Luke take over the blog for the day so he could tell you all about his adventure with his crate. He informed you that we had decided to stop putting him in his crate and just let him have the run of the house while we were gone. And he was doing so well at being a good boy while we went to work. However, that quickly changed and on Thursday last week we came home to our first little piece of destruction. And this is where the story begins.

The boy doesn't even show any remorse.

Thursday night after Nick's softball game we walked in the house to notice a little tag laying on the ground. When I realized it was a tag to a hat I knew I had nothing to worry about. However, I knew Luke should be worried because Nick is pretty attached to his hats. Which, by the way, he should not be leaving where Luke can reach and I've been telling him he needs a place other than the kitchen chairs and tables to put them. I digress. Once Nick realized it wasn't one of his hats he has to wear for softball he wasn't as mad. And when I saw what hat it was, I wasn't mad at all. I actually laughed. I mean I obviously didn't tell Luke to do this, but had I had a choice in which hat he ate, the Cubs one would have been my first. So we cleaned up that mess and really thought nothing of it. It was just a hat, and it's not like he had destroyed anything else.

Then, on Tuesday this week, I came home after work and decided to take a nap. Luke laid down with me so I left the bedroom door open. I figured he wouldn't wake up until I did so I didn't think I had anything to worry about. And then karma for laughing at Nick's destroyed hat bit me in the ass. A little over an hour later I woke up and Luke wasn't in bed with me but I could hear him chewing on something rubber downstairs. I just assumed it was his ball so I closed my eyes. A few minutes later he came up with said "ball" and began chewing on it on the bed. When I opened my eyes I quickly realized it wasn't his ball but my sparkly pink Sperry instead. Instant panic set in because those are like my favorite shoes. And then more panic set in when I realized that pieces were missing and I had thought he had swallowed them. So I got up and went downstairs to find pieces of Sperry all over behind the couch. I was mad, but I can't stay mad at him for long so it quickly went away. Oh well, right? It could have been something else and at least it was my shoe and not one of Nicks. While at work I got a picture from Nick of Luke that made any sense of anger I had at Luke go away because he knows exactly what to do to make us forgive him instantly. 

Then yesterday Nick got home from work before me and I received a nice little text message containing some not so nice words so I'll just paraphrase it for you. "He pooped and ate it and also ate your other Sperry." Oh, awesome. He never poops in the house. So that's cool. I was just glad it wasn't me coming home first so I didn't have to clean anything up. A few minutes later I received the picture of my last remaining Sperry.

The inside of that is suppose to have a brown sole by the way. I asked Nick if Luke had left little pieces all over again and Nick let me know that, no he had not left any trace of evidence behind. Well, besides the shoe that obviously wouldn't fit down his throat or I'm sure he would have eaten that too. While I was on my way home from class later that day I got another nice little text from Nick, which I will paraphrase again for you. "He just puked up poop and Sperry." At this point I couldn't help but laugh because Nick hates cleaning up any bodily fluid that comes out of Luke and now he was having to clean up puked up poop and shoe. When I got home I could tell Luke had an upset belly because he just kept laying around the house. A little while later, Nick and I decided to go get some dinner, thinking Luke would just sleep while we were gone. But we were wrong again. As soon as we stepped in the door the overwhelming smell of poop made me want to throw up. Luke had pooped by the door, on the hardwood this time thank god, and had eaten it again. I'm pretty sure by this point Nick was ready to just let him out the door and run free. Thankfully for Luke, I would never let that happen. And Nick wouldn't actually do it. So this time it was me cleaning up his poop and wanting to throw up. After cleaning it up with soapy water, vacuuming the entire living room, and then mopping the hardwood, it stopped smelling like poop in my house. 

He was left out on his own again today while Nick and I are at work. Nick gets to get home to him first, so we will see what happens. I'm crossing my fingers he doesn't do anything because I really don't want to put him in a crate again. So hopefully tomorrow I don't have any updates on something else he has destroyed or pooped on. Oh the joys of having a puppy.

I Just Didn't Like It

Hey there everyone! My name is Luke. Which I'm sure you already know because my mom talks about me way too much. It's pretty much to the point of embarrassment. I try to tell her that people don't really need to see all of those pictures of me but she says that I'm just the cutest boy ever (gag) and since her name is in the title she can do what she wants. Whatever. I'm suppose to tell you all about my adventures with my crate this weekend. Which I don't think is really that big of a deal but mom and dad seem to think differently about it. You see, this crate came with me when Mom and Dad decided they wanted me to come run their house. And I hated it. But I would go in it because they threw treats in there. And then I would whine because how unfair is that? They trick me by throwing treats into my crate and then lock me in it and leave. So of course I started to hate it more and more because I like to run around and sleep on the couch and chew on my toys. And I was stuck in the crate with a stupid Cubs blanket that my Mom said was okay for me to pee on but my Dad said absolutely not. 

Anyway, this weekend was the final straw for me. I had had it with me locking me in there and leaving me. When they locked me up on Friday to go to the zoo without me I was mad. So I did what any rational dog would do and I came up with an idea on how to destroy my crate. If they weren't going to let me go to the zoo with them then I was going to find a way to get there myself. Unfortunately, I didn't make it out of my crate, but I did do some damage. And I was proud of myself.

After Mom came back to Grandpa Rick's house to play with me for awhile, she locked me back in that stupid thing. She said they were just going to dinner and that she would be home soon. Yeah, I've heard that before. And also, why was she getting to go to dinner and I had to wait until they got home to eat? I wasn't happy, obviously, so I decided to try and fight my way out of that thing again. I took the little piece that was bent on the side and pulled it into the crate and snapped it in half. That would show them. But then when they got home Grandpa Rick decided he would fix it for Mom and Dad, which I also wasn't happy about so I tried to stop him but then Mom said "let's go outside" and distracted me. Ugh. 

So on Saturday we packed up and headed over to Grandma Joanna's to see Keely and Smudge and Goliath. I was so excited because that meant no crate and lots of play time outside. But then Dad put the crate in the back of the car. What was going on?! When we got there I got to play a lot and I was being a really good boy hoping that they wouldn't put me in that thing again. But it was about time for the Hawks game and everyone was getting ready so I knew what that meant. And then Dad went downstairs to set the crate up and put me in it. I refused to go in but since Dad is stronger than I am I really didn't have a choice. However, as soon as he turned to go up the stairs I started on that thing with my teeth. I was determined to get out of it one way or another and guess what, I did. I was up those stairs probably before my Dad could even sit down in a chair. When Mom opened the downstairs door she just laughed because she knew what had happened. But man did my mouth hurt. I guess I cut my tongue in two spots trying really hard to get out of that thing, but it was totally worth it because I would never have to go in that awful thing again. I mean, just look at it!

Success! No crate for me! They had to leave me out with Smudge and Keely and Goliath. It wasn't fair that they didn't have to go in a crate and I did anyways. And I proved myself to be a good dog while they were gone. I can't tell you what happened while they were gone because what happens at Grandma's stays at Grandma's, but I will tell you that I wasn't a bad boy and Mom and Dad said they were really proud of me. 

But then my worst nightmare happened and Mom and Dad brought ANOTHER crate home from the store. What the heck humans?! Thankfully, after I was a super good boy on Sunday, they decided to take that new jail back and haven't locked me in anything since. I was able to be by myself on Sunday night and all day yesterday while Mom and Dad were at work. I was able to just lay on the couch and sleep and chew on my toys like I've always wanted. I knew if I worked hard enough that I would finally break out of that awful place. And Mom couldn't even be mad at me and even though Dad said he was reallyyyy mad, he never actually looked mad. Probably because I just sat and smiled at them.

And that's all for today folks. It's time to go back to the couch and continue chewing on the new antler Mom gave me. And then take a nap. And then be a maniac because I think my humans really enjoy it. 

You Don't Know My Dog

Yesterday I had Luke outside so he could take care of his business when the neighbor two houses down took his little dog out to do the same thing. Luke, being the excited to see anyone or any other dog, puppy he is, pulled me over to them and started barking. Mind you, this bark was not a mean bark at all, rather a playful hello. Now I know that because he is a 50 pound puppy and that guys pup was maybeeee 15 pounds at most, that he would be a little hesitant about Luke. However, when I have my dog on a leash and he stops more than 20 feet away from you, please do not step in front of your dog and glare at mine. You don't know him, you have no idea what he's like. It is ignorant people like you that are the reason big dogs have such bad raps. So before you make judgements on my dog again, or anyone else's dog that isn't a ten pound little ball of fur (not that I don't like them, because I think they are freakin adorable) maybe, just maybe, take a second to talk to the owner to see what the dog is like. Maybe if you would have talked to me you would have found out some things like:

Luke's favorite place to be is on the edge of the couch looking out the window. He doesn't try to jump through the screen or eat anyone that walks by, he just watches. He'll even sit there at night and just stare into the dark. He loves watching for anything or anyone to walk by.

If he wants to play he brings you his toy and puts it in your hand. Unless it's a ball, then he puts it in your hand and takes it out, multiple times, until you can finally grab it from him. And if he wants to go play outside, he will go to the door and sit there until you go outside with him so he can pick up a stick and run around with it like a crazy man. Seriously, being outside is one of his many favorite things to do.

As soon as I put my tennis shoes on, he knows it's time for a walk. He's smart enough to know that my tennis shoes don't just get put on by choice, he knows that if they are put on that means he gets to go for a walk/run.

He also knows that 3/4 of the time I grab my car keys, he gets to ride along. And let me tell you, car rides are his favorite thing ever. He may get a little car sick at times, but that doesn't stop him for being so extremely happy while riding in the car that no one could bring him down.

He doesn't try to bite or attack you when he has something in his mouth. He just lets me take it out without any fight at all. Okay, maybe he tries to turn away when I do it, but other than that he has no problems with me reaching in his mouth for something. And while he's eating I can stick my hand down in to his bowl with no problem as well. He's such a mean dog that he just keeps on eating and totally ignores the fact that I'm putting my hand right in his face while he eats...

You may have also found out that as soon as 10:00 p.m. hits it is lights out. He comes up on my lap and passes out. It's every night. I don't even need to look at a clock to know what time it is.

He loves to cuddle too. When I'm not home he cuddles up on Nick's lap and just sleeps for hours. When I am home, he lays his head on my lap to take a quick little snooze. But when it's time for bed, it's up on my pillow he goes. His head lays right on top of mine, or I'm forced to lay farther down the bed so he can have room to sleep. I know, he's spoiled.

You could have learned that when he is around other dogs, he is as nice as can be. And if the other dogs, like my parents seven pound and twelve pound dogs, attack him or go after him at all, he just walks away and ignores them. He doesn't try to fight back or go after them. He's as gentle as ever with other dogs.

It's the same way with children. Yes, he tries to lick them, but never has he growled or snipped at a child. Or another human for that matter. He is the sweetest boy you will probably ever meet. He could run laps with my cousin for hours if we let them, and both of them will have the biggest smile ever on their faces.

The computer cannot be on my lap. Ever. If he is somewhere else in the room and I get my computer out, he instantly jumps up to lay on me. I don't know what it is about the computer, but he has to be right on my lap and cuddling while I'm on it.

You could have also learned that if I show him a video of a dog or a cat or anything really, that he will actually sit and watch it with me. I have no idea if he is paying attention to it, but he watches it with me the whole time I'm showing it to him.

When he is sleepy or worn out from playing or going for a walk, he is the most snuggly boy in the entire world. He will either curl up right next to you or right at the end of the couch where he can watch outside while trying to take a nap.

He never leaves my side, and when I leave you would think I was leaving forever. I can't take a shower or go to the bathroom or do the dishes or clean the living room without him being right at my side. And that's the way I like it. 

One last thing you could have learned about him? He is one of the most loving puppies you will ever meet. He may attack you. But it will be with sloppy wet kisses and that's it. Because those are his favorite things to give. 

So before you decide to step in front of you dog while glaring at mine, maybe get to know him. Most dogs are a reflection of their owners. It's not their breeds fault, but the person who has taught them how to act's fault. And I'm sorry that I haven't taught my dog to act in the stereotypical way that you may think we have, but we have decided to raise our dog to be kind and gentle. Yes, he drags me around while he's on the leash, but that's because I need to get stronger, and has nothing to do with him. And just to let you know, even though I don't have to, he is snuggled up right next to me as I type this. And he's not trying to attack me or eat my face off. He's actually watching the baseball game as this is being typed. So thank you for making me stop for a second to realize how amazing and wonderful my dog is, and just giving me another reason as to why dogs can be so much better than humans.

What No One Tells You

When I told people I was getting/got a puppy a lot of them laughed at me and I really had no idea why. How hard can raising a puppy be? I mean I did it before.... Okay, that's a lie. I bought a puppy five years ago and played with him and snuggled him while my parents did all the hard work. But who was to say that wasn't how it would be this time? Even though I don't live with my parents.. The dog could raise himself, right? And just be my cuddle buddy? Uh wrong. So from the perspective of my new pup here is what I have learned...

All of those noises that I have ignored outside are just super scary and are reason for not going to the bathroom outside... I mean really, that wind chime that just made a noise is probably the scariest thing ever...

And if it's below 30 degrees you can count out going outside. It is just way too cold to go out there for a whole 30 seconds just to go to the bathroom..duh

Once we have decided it is totally safe to go outside, those leaves that are blowing around and those little prickly ball things are the best things to eat...really though, have you tried them?

After going to the bathroom outside running inside at full sprint is the only way to go inside.. We can't be out there in case something makes a scary noise like a squirrel running up the tree or someone starting their car..

All of those toys that were bought to play with are nothing compared to that water bottle sitting on the table.. it just makes the best noises

Also, another toy that is better than anything else? Mom's ponytail..

Three a.m. is a perfectly acceptable time to wake up while in bed and think it's time to play.. we did just nap for four hours

Six a.m. also really does exist .. every morning... so does 6:30 and 7... after that it's just time to be up for the day

That sounds a lot like I'm complaining. And as hard as it already is to raise a puppy, there are so many wonderful things that come along with it..

Like watching him quickly master the stairs. We brought him home exactly a week ago and I don't think he had ever been on stairs. He didn't know how to go up or down them. In the past week though he has totally mastered them. He sprints up and down them on his own and takes two at a time while going up them. By the time he's full grown he'll probably just have to jump once...

Or the fact that when he is in a playful mood, as exhausting as it can be, it's so fun. He is learning quickly how to play fetch and when he runs around like a mad man it is so funny. Also, watching him be entertained by just chasing his tail is hilarious.

Or when he is done playing and just in a cuddle mood. Those are the best moods. He snuggles right up next to me or totally on my lap and it is seriously so relaxing. He gets in the cutest cuddle moods and has to be right next to me.

Watching him and Nick together is so adorable. I love seeing them together. How much Luke loves Nick already is so obvious and it just melts my heart.

So yes, I have already realized how hard raising a puppy already is, but I have also realized how rewarding it can be. He's the sweetest dog you will ever meet and the craziest at the same time and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Best. Weekend. Ever.

This weekend had to be the best weekend ever. This weekend I welcomed a little guy into my life. His name is Luke and he couldn't be more perfect. Seriously, I'm in love. I told you last week that Nick and I were looking for a puppy and Friday night we found one. His name was originally Rosco, however I didn't think it fit him so we changed it to Luke and I think it's perfect. If you have me on Instagram then you've obviously seen 242314 pictures of him already, and if you don't have me you should totally follow me so you can see 242314 pictures of him. The people we got him from told us he is full pit but I think he is mixed. I feel like he has some great dane in him and maybe some boxer as well. Which obviously means he's going to be hugeeeee. And the fact that he thinks he is a lap dog right now will not bode well in the future. He's already so much stronger than I am.. maybe I should hit the gym.... Ha

He found the mirror Friday when we got home. I feel as if he has never seen himself before and is just now discovering how freaking cute he is.

This is how he has to climb up the stairs. He refuses to go the correct way. Little does he know that in like a month he won't be able to go through this way

Sunday was a super long day. We went to my Aunt and Uncles and ran around for awhile then went to my parents where he tried to play with the two dogs there.

And this was last night before the Grammy's. We had an entire day just the two of us and after we got home he was so tired he just wanted to sleep. But I wanted to take pictures of him. After like the 3414321 picture he gave me this "okay Mom you can stop now" look. But I didn't listen...

He is so friendly and sweet.. most of the time. He has that puppy want to bite going on right now but I feel like that will go away with time and once he's done teething. He is super cuddly when he is tired and I just loveeee it. Believe me when I say that there will be sooo many pictures/updates on him!

My puppy is 4!

Yesterday was Tatum's 4th birthday. What?! I cannot believe he is already four years old. I can remember it like it was yesterday going to pick him out. He was the cutest little puppy ever. I can also remember coming home from work and my mom had went to pick him up and he was waiting for me when I got home. Then when we took him to the vet they told me he was going to be blind. I can remember sitting in the car with him on my lap and crying because my parents had said I was going to have to take him back and get a different one. There was no way I was doing that. We took him to another vet to get a second opinion who gave us some drops and cleared up whatever they were seeing in his eyes. He is not blind and he is the greatest dog ever. 


Anyways, last night I gave him his presents and he loved them! He got a toy rope with a ball and he perked up as soon as I got it out of the bag. I also got him some peanut butter cupcakes which he very much enjoyed. I had given him a whole one but it was to much for him so I broke another one in half and gave that to him. While I was in the kitchen he had eaten the half and snuck up onto the couch to get another one from the table. He is obviously sneaky. He got some jerky sticks as well, but I figured he needed a break from all the food and he can eat those sometime today. Ok, enough of my talking about him (I just can't help it!). Here are some pictures :)

 Tatum as a baby. Awwwwww

 His presents.

 Doggy cupcakes. He loved them!

 Waiting for his cupcake

 Yumm

 Looking for more cupcakes. Sorry dude, no more for you tonight.

Thank you for reading! I hope everyone is having a good week!