Love Me Some Puppies!

Happy National Puppy Day!

My husband and I both are dog people. Neither of us can go vert long without having one of these fur-babies puttering around the house with their wagging tails, cold noses always in your business, and huge sad eyes begging for an ear scratch. 

We've had several in our 30+ years together. Dogs that have lived long, full lives and became as much a part of our family as our own children. The one below, Ginger, was a sweet, cuddly little mixed breed that would lay her head on my shoulder whenever I sat on the couch, or wave at us through the bay window when we came home. No kidding. She actually waved. 

Once she was gone, we missed her sweet greetings when we came home. ​

We went a good six months without a dog. Six. Long. Months. 

We need to wait, my husband said. We had a couple of vacations scheduled. Yeah, fine. 
But then I saw the movie The Secret Life of Pets, and that's all she wrote. When it was over, I looked at my husband with big puppy wanting tears and told him we were finding a dog that week! I was done waiting.

You know, when you don't have a dog, you have to sweep the kitchen more often.
And who is there to warm your feet at night? 
There's nobody around to beg you to get off your behind and away from the computer and go for a walk. Get some exercise. Some fresh air. 
And there's nobody to keep you company during the day.

Yeah, we needed a dog. Stat!

So I looked at Petfinder and found a rescue home that had a huge litter of these little beagle-mix pups. I was in love before I even met Banjo. And when I walked into the pet store where the adoption lady was displaying the dogs looking for homes, there he was. Like he was waiting for me, too. 

Well, maybe not, but Banjo sure did start dancing around his cage and whimpering when I crouched by his cage. He liked me from the start and I liked Banjo, too.

​And because I love dogs so much, I enjoy putting them in my stories.

Wally is Haley Madison's Australian sheep dog. She got him from a pound just before he was on his way to the great beyond. He wasn't the usual dog you'd find in Texas, but she liked him. He was big and friendly and took a liking to her right from the start, following her around wherever she went. 

Including all the way up to Michigan where he now resides with Haley in their Bed and Breakfast Victorian Home in Madison Creek. That's right, the town is named after her family. 

Wally loves Michigan with its woods and cooler weather. His Texas loving owner might have her reservations about living in arctic-land, but they are making themselves a nice home and life and making lots of friends from the quirky little town by the lake. 

Be sure to check out the Madison Creek page to learn more about Wally and this book series.
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What about you? Are you a cat or dog lover? Maybe you have other pets you adore? 

If you're thinking of getting a dog, check into a rescue shelter or home. You never know who you'll meet. Might just be your next BPFF (Best Pet Friend Forever). 

Happy National Puppy Day. 
Have you hugged yours today? Be sure to give them an extra special treat and let them know how glad you are to have them in your life. ​

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