Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!






As newfie's we have alot to be thankful for!!.. We seem to draw attention everywhere we go, and mom and dad get asked a zillion questions about us, which they answer as if it was the first time they had ever been asked. Like:

How much do I eat? (anyone that knows me, knows the answer to that one)

How much do I weigh? (173lbs today)

Do I shed much? (oh about a ton a year)

Do I slobber much? (only when I'm hot or when there is ice cream around and girls girls girls!!!)

Where do I sleep? (anywhere I want)

What's my name? (Giz, Gizzy, Gizmo, The Giz,Big Guy, Handsome, Goofball, Gizzard, Gizzimoto, Doofus)

What kind of dog am I? (I'm not a dog, I'm a Newfie!!!)

Am I tough? (mostly from younger boys, I say "Do you want to try me?")


I am thankful for all the attention, I am thankful for all my friends, like Satch, Rebus, Androol, and of course my Godfather, Uncle Steve.

But most of all I am thankful for having a mom and dad that look after me so well.

Mom came across this posting and we thought we would share it with you.

Found on Craig's list (For all the people who casually place their beloved family pets on the pages of craigslist everywhere- for whatever reasons one can imagine..... .. THESE are the people who need to read THIS!)
I have three dogs, one is 130+ lbs, he's a Komondor, loves to play, will pick up the brush when/if I drop it and give it back to me. He has a ghost we call Boo.. He likes to carry Boo around. Great with kids, protective over his family. A female Weimaraner that is 60+, very pretty, shiny coat, blue in color. Can be protective, but is generally outgoing. Can put a treat on her nose then usually catch it. Sometimes the big dog grabs it before she gets it though. A 5 lb Yorkie, he's 10 years old, and cranky. Pees in the house if he's upset, and will occasionally leave other "gifts" for you. Things that upset him are not sleeping in, rain, other dogs, other cats, not giving him enough attention, anything new in the house, when I'm upset, when I leave and don't take him, and a few other things. But he does dance for a treat and catch mice and will do agility courses. My dogs are all neutered/spayed and current on their vaccinations. They get fed holistic food, it seems expensive but is really only $1/day for all of them. That's less than a bottle of soda. My dogs are not up for adoption. I have moved 6 times in my life, including college and a divorce, they always come with. We've lived here for 4 years, and if we move, they'll go with me. I have two kids, I still have my dogs. They were here before the kids, and I took the time to teach them to be gentle to kids, even tiny babies. My little dog doesn't like kids that much, he likes them when they're sleeping. So I trained my kids to leave him alone. I don't have a job, haven't for the last three years, my job has been being a mother. I still have my dogs. I just don't buy other things I don't need. I have a 130 lb dog who needs to be groomed... I brush him twice a week, it takes less than 5 minutes a day. I don't feel bad for people who say they "don't have the time" to groom a shih tzu. It doesn't take that long.
My dogs shed, but so do I, so I think we're even. I've had dogs my whole life, and have never "suddenly" acquired a strange allergic reaction to them, nor know anyone who has, and I know a lot of people with dogs.
My dogs do not destroy my house, because I don't let them. I have two breeds that are commonly referred to as strong willed and destructive. I simply have rules and make the dogs listen. They do not eat until I tell them they can. This makes me the pack leader. I do not share my couch or bed. With the big dogs, I will not fight over where I get to sit. I do not have to lock my dogs out of the kitchen when we eat. I simply taught them they're not allowed. A flyswatter being smacked on the table has a lot of power in a dogs eyes, used with the word "out" it's amazing. I have two cats, and a leather living room set. The cats are not declawed. I simply give them other things to scratch that are acceptable. They enjoy them. I have three dogs and two cats. Sometimes they get fed up with each other. I still have them all. I just remind them this is my house, and separate them from each other for an hour then everything is okay. I have an old dog, and I got a new dog. I did not get rid of the old dog because he didn't like the new dog. An end note to all the dogs who have spent the best 3-10 years of their lives in the only home they've known to be replaced by a child, other pet, move, new job, etc. I'm so sorry. I can't imagine your heartache of being disowned by your parent who loved you for years. There was a name attached, I do not know that it was the actual person who wrote it, or whether this was written as a 'model' to remind people that they're not getting rid of a coat, but a live being.
Regardless it makes a very important point and to me at least, is worthy of sharing.

The Gizmeister


2 comments:

onecoatsam said...

Giz -

You and your parents are the greatest. We love you guys and can't wait to see you soon.

Happy Thanksgiving, may you get all the turkey and stuffing to your heart's desire, and thanks for being such great friends (and especially the bibs CS).

Your best buddies,

Satch&Drool

Anonymous said...

Hey Giz thanks for including me in your Thanksgiving post. Don't we look good in our dress up bibs...hope the grub is up to it!

Happy Thanksgiving to all at your house and we'll see you on Monday.

Rebus