Tuesday, March 5, 2013

He's Here! He's Here!

I picked up my new dog, Bruce, from upstate NY this past weekend.  I told you guys about him earlier this year.  I wasn't 100% sure that he would come live with me.  I was wavering back and forth.  After spending the last 19 years taking care of dogs and a cat, I wasn't sure I wanted to put myself through potentially losing another pet.  Two weeks ago my daughter called, a little frantic, because she was moving into a new place and couldn't take Bruce with her.  I secured a flight and headed to NY on Saturday.  It was touch and go as to whether we would get him on the plane.  Three hours before my flight home, we realized we needed his rabies certificate, which was lost in all the moving my daughter had done.  So we both started calling local vets to see if we could get him a shot and still make my flight.  Oh, did I mention the airport was an hour away from where she lived?  It took us calling five vets before we found one that said yes.  We pulled off a miracle and he had a shot within 15 mins of us making the call.  Thank goodness for small towns!  I would never have pulled that off in Atlanta.  We make it to the airport in plenty of time and I'm breathing a sigh of relief.  That is until it's almost time to board the plane, and one of the workers comes over to say his dog carrier is probably too big to fit under the seat.  I told him it was smaller than the guidelines posted on the Airtran website.  He promptly got out his measuring tape and verified it met the guidelines.  They let us on the plane first to make sure there weren't any issues.  THE CARRIER DID NOT FIT!  So my options were buy one of their smaller carriers for $50, or buy a seat in business class for $69.  Turns out the carrier wasn't going to fit in business class, either.  Since Airtran doesn't have pressurized cargo areas, he couldn't be checked as luggage.  Who knew?  Other airlines do ship animals as cargo. I asked them why should I be penalized, since I followed their guidelines.  I convinced the guy to let me borrow their carrier and I would turn it in on the other side.  He was kind enough to agree.  The smaller carrier was very small.  We tried to put him in through the top.  Big mistake.  He was hanging out.  The guy left me to work it out.  Took me awhile to figure out that I could get him in if I opened it from the front.  By this time the stewardess, who knew the situation, was threatening to kick me off the plane if I didn't immediately get him in the carrier.  Not sure what her problem was.  It's not like I was holding up the plane.  People were still boarding.  It was craziness.  But it all worked out in the end.  Bruce is here and he is such a joy already.  He and my BF are already good friends and it was very important that they get along.

He's a 13 lb, 7 yr old, Shih-Tzu, with a ton of personality.


He got a new bed once we arrived.  He's sleeping with the only toy he brought from NY.  My BF bought him a couple more toys once we got here.  

He has made himself right at home.

This is my step-daughter Carmen and her daughter, Carmen.  I hadn't seen my daughter in 15 years.  It was a wonderful reunion!  She turned 27 on Sunday.

Little Carmen is the happiest two year old I have ever met.  She went to bed laughing and she woke up laughing.  She loves Dora and Barney.  Hard to believe Barney is still going strong.  Barney was all the rage 20 years ago when I was with my, then two year old, niece.  Spending time with Carmen will help me with the two year olds in Morristown.



48 comments:

  1. Awwwww, Vanessa what a cutie! Love love him. Bruce is so fortunate to have this for-ever home! After-all-said-and-done, wasn't he worth the effort! Lol!

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    1. Loretta - He is so perfect. He reminds me of my Teddy. My daughter knew he would be well taken care of, that's why she wanted me to have him. I will do her proud. Seeing my daughter again was so wonderful! My heart has always felt like they were my kids, too. I've always loved them like they were mine.

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  2. So sorry, I was so excited about Bruce, I forgot to mention your children. They are sooo cute! I know you'll miss them, especially not seeing her 15 years. That had to be a beautiful reunion!

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  3. I'll read later, but based on the pictures: Congratulations! Bruce is adorable.

    Carmen and Carmen are beautiful!

    Back to work.

    dbg

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    1. DBG - Thanks! I've fallen in love with him already.

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  4. Love your new baby! And what a beautiful family. I'm glad your BF likes little Bruce. My little Shih-Tzu sure ruined a lot of action for me in my 20's! Bruce, just stay out of the basement and everyone will be friends!

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    1. Vita Plastica - Thanks! He's a doll and such a well behaved dog. I really lucked out. You never know what you are going to get when you take over someone's dog. He's already been to the basement. He said hello to the dolls, but he didn't bother them at all.

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  5. The Adventures of Bruce the Shih-Tzu ... is he profiling. Take me from this angle ... no, try this one. Okay, you getting my best side? LOL.

    Great that your new guys get along well.

    The Carmens look happy; nice to see your family.

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    1. D7ana - He is profiling. He was posing for me. I'm surprised he wasn't smiling. My BF was the one who encouraged me to go ahead and get him.

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  6. Bruce is adorable! My roommate and her mom both have Shih-Tzus. If we knew you were going, my roommate said she would've sent you her pet carrier. It's AirTran certified. But you got him here, and that's great! Reunions are wonderful too, aren't they? You've got a beautiful family...:-)

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    1. Cindi - That carrier ordeal was a fiasco. I have to remember to lodge a complaint with Airtran. I don't foresee him needing to get back on an airplane. Me and my daughter didn't even skip a beat.

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  7. Cute, cute, cute! Pets can be alot of work, but they're so great to have around! It looks like he was worth all the trouble.

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    1. Verona - He's a little cutie, for sure. I never minded the work involved. It's the heartbreak when they leave that I wasn't looking forward to. He was definitely worth the trouble.

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  8. Bruce is such a beautiful and cuty dog. I'm happy for you and for him that you are now his new mum ! You must be so excited.
    Your step daughter and her little one are beautiful.

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    1. Claude - Yes, I am very excited to be a mum, again. I can't believe I almost gave up that wonderful feeling of having a dog. It was wonderful to see my Carmens.

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  9. Hello from Spain: beautiful pictures of your stepdaughter and her daughter Carmen. What luck that ultimately have the puppy at home. You will have more work with the dog. I hope you do not abandon us in this hobby of dolls. Keep in touch

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    1. Marta - Thanks. I actually got more doll work done when I had dogs. They just give me so much more energy to work and it's nice to have the company when I am working on my projects.

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  10. Bruce is ADORABLE! Such a CUTIE PATOOTIE! Your daughter Carmen and her Daughter Carmen, both look like they are rays of sunshine all the time.

    One of my dogs is a Shih-Tzu, Jack Russel wired hair terrior mix. She is ADORABLE.

    Glad that you and Bruce got home safely.

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    1. Tracey - Thanks! I had a blast visiting the ladies. Bruce has kept me smiling since we arrived here in GA. Such a sweetie pie he is. Sounds like you have a handful with your two doggies.

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    2. Lol No, it's one dog. she is a mix. Sorry if I typed that to were it looked like 2. ,:D

      Will you check out my blog and look at my recent photo stories. That is if it's not to much of a bother.

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    3. Tracey - I can't find your blog. It's not showing up when I click on your name.

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    4. Yeah Muff said the same thing. I don't know what the problem with my profile is. I'll see what's wrong later, but for right now here's the link. http://purplecandy1997.blogspot.com/

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  11. He's a cutie pie. I'm glad you were able to get him home after all that. Little Carmen is darling.

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    1. Alura - He has proved to be totally worth it in the little time he has been here. He has won over many hearts. Hanging with little Carmen was a blast.

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  12. awww, of course you had to get you grandog! He's so cute too. I've taken in two grandogs by way of my great niece and nephew. Unfortunately, they're both big dogs-a lab and a golden retriever.

    The Carmens are beautiful too!

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    1. pattidolls - Awww, I had a lab and a golden retriever, too. They are big, but very loving. What's that saying...."you know you are getting old when you start rescuing the granddogs." LOL! I called my daughter Carmen, Carmelita for as long as I've know her. So I passed the nickname on to the little one.

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  13. Congrats on your new family member. He looks like he's going to take over in no time!

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    1. Muff - He's sooooo sweet. I can't stand it. He acts like he's been living here forever. When we arrived from the airport, he went straight to the stairs like he knew where he was going.

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  14. Good to see another animal companion has come into your life. I'm glad you were able to resolve the issues with the airline and bring him to Atlanta safely. The two Carmen's are lovely!

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    1. limbe dolls - I didn't think I was ready to love another dog. Boy was I wrong! He's amazing. I'm glad the airline and rabies issues worked out, too. I can't wait to see my Carmens again.

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  15. All of that simply says it was meant to be...ALL of it! (sitting back folding my arms and smiling:-)

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    1. Grandmommy - My daughter lives in the town where Lucille Ball grew up. At times I felt like we were having some serious Lucy moments, especially the whole finding a vet. It must have been meant to be, because I'm still not sure how we pulled it off. LOL!

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  16. He's such a cutie!! I'm glad at last you could bring him with you in the plane, I can't imagine how frantic everything had to be. But now he's home and you just have to enjoy... By the way, Carmen is a very Spanish name, I love it! And both your daughter and grandaughter look so beautiful...

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    1. Rossetti - Such a nice little bundle of joy. Pets just make everything better. Yes, I was aware Carmen was a Spanish name. I named one of my college girls after my daughter. Now I have to name one after little Carmen.

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  17. Hi Vanessa! I've been gone a while...trying to work out some issues. Being an entrepreneur is harder than pronouncing the word. lol OMGEEE...Bruce looks just like my Ragszee Poo! Same color & breed. I'm glad you have a new addition to the family & that he gets along w/your BF. Your daughter & grand daughter are beautiful!

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    1. Sonya - Hello! I'm excited for you and your business. I know all too well how tough it is being an entrepreneur. Hang in there. Do you still have your Ragszee Poo? I can tell by your reaction that Ragszee is bringing you lots of joy. That's what it's all about.

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  18. Awww Vanessa that is so exciting. I was going to tell Sonya about this post, its funny to see her above me. Bruce is so cute! I was out of breath reading your story. Glad everything worked out to get him to his new home.

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    1. Kenya - I couldn't have handpicked a better dog for me. It's amazing how perfect he is for me. As for the drama.... all I could think about was me being featured on the 10 o'clock news as the woman who was removed from the airplane. I was so happy when we touched down in ATL. What an ordeal. But he's been worth it. Sonya must have doggy radar. She was all over it.

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  19. Bruce is so cute! Also Carmen is such an adorable little girl! Thanks for sharing!(Sorry for so many exclamation points. It's just so cool!)

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    1. sisilovessinging - Thanks! I can completely understand your excitement. I'm feeling the same way!!! LOL.

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  20. Congratulations on getting your little Bruce. He is too cute! I look forward to hearing about the puppy stories. : )

    Both Carmens are both lovely.

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    1. Georgia Girl - He is so precious and so smart. And he loves people. You know I was in heaven playing with little Carmen and watching all the kid shows. She was singing her little 2 yr old heart out. I felt like I had been transposed into one of my doll stories.

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  21. What a great little dog and well worth all the trouble you went through to get him. I'm sure you will have lots of good times together. And your two Carmens look beautiful.

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    1. Carrickters - He has definitely been worth the trouble. I went through all the trouble initially because of my daughter. Now that Bruce has been here a few days, I know that he was so worth it. What a gem! I've already started a pile of gifts to send to little Carmen. She is going to be just like Bruce....spoiled by grandma. LOL.

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  22. Congrats on your new family member. I have a shih tzu and a shih tzu/bichon cross. They are wonderful pets. Sounds like your boy has a really great temperament. I love your blog, and will try and comment more.

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    1. Onyx - Welcome. I can't believe how wonderful Bruce is. You would think he had lived here for many years. He's settled in quite nicely. Sounds like you have a couple of cuties over there. I can't imagine your second one looks like. Sounds very interesting. Thanks for stopping by.

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  23. Cute doggy and cuter children and daughter!

    Hopefully the dog is trained well because Barbies and dogs are not a good mix! LOL!

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    1. Kenyadoll - Thanks. He is well trained. I've had dogs for more than 20 yrs and none of them have ever messed with my dolls. So I've been pretty lucky. Come to think of it, they've never chewed on anything. Not shoes or furniture.

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