Gluttons for Punishment

As if moving to a new city, starting new jobs and trying to re-establish ourselves wasn't enough to manage at this point, we've now adopted a puppy. A 5.5 month Jack Russell/Whippet mix named Scout. Although I've been looking for awhile, I really wasn't planning to adopt that day when I stopped at the rescue place "just to look" at this puppy I found online. I barely made it to the shelter before closing time Friday, and the lady and the front desk slyly offered to let me "foster" Scout for the weekend to see how he did with our other pets. I was a little worried, since all anyone had to say about the puppy was "He's really...... hyper." I didn't think it would work out, but knew I'd always wonder if I didn't try. So after getting the OK from the husband we loaded up and headed home.

My dear sweet husband, who has always been supportive of my love for animals, was wondering why I was bringing home a JR/Whippet mix when he knew I wanted a sweet house dog/lapdog (for those of you not familiar with breeds, this has the potential to be the most hyper dog on the planet). But as soon as he saw Scout he knew why I couldn't leave him. He's skinny as a rail with huge ears, long legs and a face to die for. And amazingly enough, he is a really sweet and good puppy. Granted he is CRAZY when I get him out of his crate, but once he settles down (in about 5 minutes) he wants nothing more than to crawl in your lap and go to sleep. And even when he's crazy, he whines and grunts like a little pig and wants to kiss you as much as possible - I think it's the whole rescue dog grateful mentality. After he settles down he is very much a lover. He's not potty trained yet, but is learning quickly and already picking up basic commands like "Get on your bed, stay and sit." I'm convinced he has the brains of a JR and the temperament of a Whippet, who by nature are very affectionate dogs. The only bad thing about him is he's had stomach issues since we got him, but the shelter gave me several remedies to try, and that mixed with a little pepto has done wonders. Allie is adjusting...they played the first night, and I catch them running around when I'm not looking. Mostly she just sits and stares pitifully at him with his puppy bones, even though I've spent about $30 on new bones for her that she wants nothing to do with. She's coming around though, and I think they'll get along beautifully once he grows up a little bit. He, on the other hand, loves her, and follows her around outside like a shadow. In the house he sticks to me like glue, but outside it's all about Allie.

Part of me wonders if I really am a glutton for punishment. We had it so easy with Allie - she is the best dog and SO easy. But after the first night I knew Scout was ours, and when I spoke to the shelter on Monday the owner said she was so glad I came for him, because she didn't think anyone else would want him because he was so hyper when you tried to get him out of his crate. I thought he would turn our lives upside down for the next several months, but since he's learned to stay on his bed so quickly, we've actually been able to resume our breakfast in bed routine for the past 2 days.

Here are a few pictures. They really don't showcase his cuteness to the fullest degree, but you get the idea. I think the bottom picture looks the most like him...he's very long and lean. And in case you're wondering, the shelter doesn't know his history. Just like Allie, he was found loose and turned in a little over a month ago, so they aren't even sure exactly how old he is.

Meet Scout

His favorite spot - Mom's lap. He is 100% a mama's dog.