Saint Paddy's Day......

I think today is one of those days when rather you are Irish or not, we should all take stock of the many blessings that brighten our lives. The spotlight for our blessings shines on our little Paddy girl today. This is the day that we celebrate her third birthday...... 

Happy Birthday Paddy! 

Paddy loves camping

 It was two days before Saint Patrick's Day two years ago, when we visited the Jackson County, Ohio dog pound hoping to rescue one of the inmates to become part of our family. Just inside the door was a BIG pen that held one tiny little pup. She was part dachshund, part terrier. She sat in the center of that pen shaking uncontrollably and scared to death. We didn't look any further than that because there was need to. Our hearts immediately went out to her and destiny had spoken. We were told after we chose her that she was scheduled to be put down the next day. The Dog Warden remarked that she was a lucky little dog to be rescued when she was. That is how Paddy got her name and how she came into our lives. To be honest we think we are the lucky ones.

  

Paddy in Papa's shirt sleeve.

Of course she participates in whatever we are doing and goes just about every place that we go. She loves to go camping with us. The only thing she doesn't like about it is being on a leash, but rules are rules. In the picture above, JD was playing their version of peek-a-boo / hide and seek with her. He would cover her with his flannel shirt and tuck it around her and she would work her way out of it. This time she had wiggled her way into his sleeve and popped her head out as if to say "BOO!" 

Camping makes a girl tired sometimes

This was the camping trip with the boys..... I think they sort of tuckered her out. There is no describing how much joy she brings into our lives.  Wishing you all a Blessed and Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I Am Blessed

~Jo

Adventures Of Paddy Girl.......

Tomorrow will mark one month since Paddy came to live with us. It has had it's challenges for sure. They told us at the pound that they thought she was about a year old. We are thinking that she is younger than that because she has shown so many puppy ways. She was afraid to come in the house at first. This of course told us that she wasn't allowed inside at her original home. We got past that hurdle in just a matter of days. Now she comes and goes through the door without giving it much thought. 

House breaking was a major job. When we thought Paddy had caught on to what we expected of her, she would leave us little gifts to find here and there through out the house. So far this week she has done really well. It is already Thursday and she has gone outside to take care of her business all week. I don't think it was just Paddy, I think a lot of times we weren't understanding her when she was asking to go out. We all seem to be on the same page now so it is all good. Way To Go Paddy Girl!!

 

When we call her and she comes right away she gets a treat. She also gets treats when she potties outside. She would get really excited when it comes to her treats and would hop around on her hind feet like a ballerina minus the tutu, snatch the treat from our hand and off she would go. J.D. has been teaching her to sit for her treats and she caught on to that really quick. We don't even have to tell her to sit now, it is automatic for her now. You would think she has always sat for her treats.

She is just a wee little thing. When I pick her up it is like lifting air. She loves chasing butterflies, birds and rabbits. In this yard she has plenty of them to occupy her time. J.D. commented this morning that he didn't think she would know what to do with a rabbit if she caught one. It wouldn't surprise me if she did catch one, she is pretty darn fast. Yesterday was the first time I heard Paddy bark in the month that she has been here. She has the sweetest little bark I have ever heard. She was in the back yard and had a rabbit on the run and she actually barked at it. Way To Go Paddy Girl!! 

Paddy is thriving here on J.D.'s mountain and has carved out her own little place in our heart. We found Paddy at the dog pound and she was two days away from being killed. All it cost us was the price of her dog tags. If you have been thinking of getting a pet, a dog or a cat......... Please give some thought to rescuing that pet from your county pound. 

Hope your Thursday is blessed with happiness!