Giving Thanks

(Or… Thank You, Meghan!!)

As I was going to check my mailbox last night, I was greeted by a large, yellow, goofy dog with sweet eyes and a super waggily tail. I could tell he was young (under a year) and that he belonged or had belonged to someone because he would sit on command and he would throw his paw at me in an attempt to shake. He had a collar, but sadly no tags. I asked a neighbor if they knew who’s dog he was and she said he had followed her from the other side of the neighborhood – about a mile away. (Apparently he had followed another one of my neighbors around too.)

I knocked on doors and tried to find anyone who recognized him. After quite some time walking in the cold, I decided to have my husband come pick me up (I’ve been quite under the weather and just couldn’t stay outside any longer). Before my husband to get to me, the pup had wandered up to a house and acted like it was very familiar to him, then he disappeared. We drove back a little later looking for him but didn’t see him. I hope he found his home.

When I got home that night and was greeted by my dancing and barking Jacques, I got a little teary-eyed. I thought about that big yellow dog following everyone and couldn’t help but think about Jacques’s story.

Jacques had followed some people who were out for a walk in the cold and the snow. He followed them to their home and sat on their doorstep looking into their warm house. I can’t imagine how scared and cold he was – but his luck was about to change. A wonderful person – Meghan – took him home with her. That night, Jacques was safe in a warm house and surrounded by love. Meghan took such good care of him. When she couldn’t locate his owners through phone calls or ads in the paper, she started looking for a forever home for him. And then my life changed forever.

My husband and I joke about Jacques all the time, but at the end of the day we both say how lucky we are and how Jacques has turned out to be such a good boy. He really is.

So, Meghan, thank you for being so kindhearted and for caring for Jacques. He was just what my heart needed. You, Jacques, and my wonderful husband are a few of the many things I’m thankful for today and every day.

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The First Snow of the Year

(Or… If A Snowplow and A Pig Had a Lovechild, This Is What It Would Be Like)

Jacques loves being warm. He loves sunning himself outside, perching in front of the fire, snuggling in fluffy blankets, and hogging the space heater. But apparently he also loves to run, roll, plow, and grunt in the snow.

If you listen closely to the video, you can hear him grunting. And you can hear my husband and me giggling.

As the day went on, we got more snow… maybe two inches. Each time we let Jacques outside. He would do the same thing – run in circles, plow through the snow with his face, and do doggie somersaults. I think his best was about six somersaults in a row.

Anytime he came back inside, we would towel him off to try to get the matted snow off him (usually to no avail). It didn’t matter much because he would wind up in front of the fire to warm himself then want to go outside and do it all over again.

So, I guess he likes to run through the snow as long as there’s a fire to warm up by. Such a ruff life he leads!

I Do Not Like The Cold

(Or… It’s Time to Hibernate, Stupid)

It’s gotten cold here. (Okay, to be fair, anything below 60 degrees is cold to Jacques and me.) But seriously… highs in the 30s in November where we are is unheard of. It’s bad enough that it’s pitch black by 6:00 p.m., but to have it this cold this soon… well, Jacques is having none of it.

I think this picture pretty much sums it up.

He refused to move on this particular morning. He was curled up on his favorite fluffy blanket and had been siphoning heat from me. The promise of treats, b-o-n-e-s-es, going outside… nothing would get him to move. I eventually played the “I’m bigger and have opposable thumbs” card, much to his chagrin. He grumbled and mumbled his discontent for the rest of the morning. I can’t say I disagreed with him.

So much for fall weather. Stay warm and enjoy snuggling up with your loved ones!!

And now, here’s my PSA: Remember to bring your four-legged family members inside when the temperatures drop. Just because they have fur doesn’t mean the cold won’t affect them. Help those who can’t help themselves – that’s true for all living creatures.

You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Haaaave Heat

(Or… Jacques is a heat hog)

This just happened. Jacques was snoozing on the bed on what has become his favorite fuzzy blanket (thanks, C!). I rolled my eyes at him (after I took the picture, of course) and walked ACROSS the house to the office where I turned on the space heater and sat down at the computer. I am not exaggerating… 30 seconds later, Jacques came trotting in and took his position in front of the space heater. What the heck??!

Now, I know he has a thing for the space heater – I’ve written about it briefly before – but this is getting ridiculous!

Sir Sleepsalot

30 seconds later…

And now he’s snoozing… At least his paws aren’t on the front of the heater like they usually are. He gets annoyed at me for moving them and puts them right back on the heater. Nothing like the smell of singed Westie fur! Sheesh!

(Disclaimer: His fur never actually gets singed – to my amazement. I eventually get annoyed and move the heater so that he’s not touching it.)