Max: putting family first

 

Six months ago, we got a mini-schnauzer from a dear friend (and breeder).  He was my birthday present for my 49th.  Many of us were excited to have him in our lives ... some of us were not.  Six months later, we have found him a new home because nothing ... NOTHING ... should ever be allowed to disrupt a family's peace and well-being.  No thing should be allowed to disrupt the harmonious living together of a family.

Nothing: not a pet, not a job, not an activity.

Family is the core unit of society and receives bombardment from all directions, bombardment that can rip a family apart.  Society tells us we can have it all ... but it doesn't tell us how to share or how to balance the give-and-take necessary.  Society says that "I have a right to xyz", "I should be able to do abc", "I have the right to go to 123".  There are lots of I's in those sentences and not too many "wes".

A family must be a "we" ... must be a unit that works toward the same goals and builds up from within.  A family must be a give-and-take ... with all helping to support each other, nurturing different interests and activities of the individuals while ensuring that nothing tears up the family unit.  At times, things will come into a family that throw that balance off, that can cause a small tear in the family fabric that can become a large rent and then a total disconnect.  Max was throwing our family off balance ... he was causing a small tear.  Max was causing loss of sleep ... tension ... stress.  It wasn't fair to us or to Max.

So, with the help of the dear friend, we found him a lovely, perfect new home.  I should amend that:  thanks be to God, we found him a new home.  It was fast, virtually pain-free and all are happy.  It's a bittersweet happiness though as we're also a little sad to lose our mini-Max.  But we know that he is in a better situation -- lots of room to run, another puppy to play with and a "mom" that really wants him.

And, our family is whole again.at peace again.

 

On being newly neutered ...

Max this morning (19weeks, 5 days)

We took Max (now just about 5 months old) to be neutered yesterday.  I don't know who it was harder on:  Max, the kids or me!  He gave such a pitiful look as he was led back to the kennel.  And when we went to pick him up last night ... we could hear him whining as I spoke to the attendant! 

The poor little guy!

We nursed him thru last night:  the crate has been moved into the boys' room (String Bean had him in with her for a little while a few weeks ago, but girls have so much stuff for puppies to get into while the boys just have to remember to pick up their socks!) ... Lego Maniac read The Long Patrol to Max and I, while I cradled Max to sleep ... Yes, we are a little over-the-top with this little guy!

Max woke this morning, around 5:30, still a bit less-active-than-usual but sweet and settled and loving!

For those who are local:  we took Max to the Kincheloe Clinic, a place specifically set up to encourage neutering/spaying of domestic animals and we had a GREAT experience with the folks there.  The two ladies who took care of Max were loving and cuddled him ... but were still professional.  We were able to pick him up in the evening ... and were told exactly what to do, given medicine for pain and Amoxicilin, and allowed to come get him out of the kennel ourselves (where the poor mite was shaking and so happy to see us!).  We also got Max micro-chipped at the same time as the neutering so he's all set now.  I can't recommend Kincheloe enough if you need to have your dog/cat spayed/neutered or just need typical shots or micro-chipping! [You do have to bring cash and make an appointment, but the cost and service are well worth it.  These folks WANT to help your pet!]


 

Family: Max, the mini

Our mini-schnauzer, Max, turn 4 months old on Friday!  Here's what he looked like at 7 weeks (just a week before we brought him home):

... and here he is at 4 months!

and for those of you who know my dh .... yes, he IS starting to like the little guy:

 dh distracted by LSU winning last night ....

 got a sloppy kiss from the little guy ...

and the kids thought it great that Dad was finally holding Max!

 

Month of Thanks Day 10: Thanks be to God for Our Max!



Max at 7 weeks with String Bean



Max at 15 weeks

We have had our Max for almost 7 weeks now (he is 15 weeks old now) and he has wormed his way into all our hearts (yep, even dh thinks he's pretty great.).  He is doing great on the whole potty training thing and crate-training is an amazing help for his overall health and well-being. 

We took him to the Vet on Wed 11/10 and he weighed in at a whopping 9.8 (pretty good as 3 weeks ago he was just over 6 lbs.).  And except that I found out we were going to one of the most expensive vets in the area (which we will QUICKLY remedy ... and did you know you can purchase Frontline Plus online rather than paying the exorbitant vet charges????) ... he had a great check-up and is healthy as, well, as a 15week mini-schnauzer should be.

Thank you God for working it so we could get this bundle of love to add to our family!

BTW, this should have been posted last night ... but some kind of stomach issue was running thru the family and I just didn't get to it.  Thanks be to God, that seems to have passed!

Month of Thanks Day 6: Thanks be to God for First Saturday Devotions

Today, I am thankful for our dear pastor who began First Saturday devotions at our church ... liturgy of the hours, exposition, rosary, confession and Mass ... all before 10 in the morning.  I came home refreshed and ready to tackle organizing my work space and prep for some heavy, heavy designing, knitting and home-office work!

On a lower level ... I'm thankful for doggie baths with lavender baby shampoo because, well, Max was a bit ripe after missing his bath last week (sorry, I did have the whole performance thing going on ....)
 

Birthdays: my 49th year ends!

Wow, what a weekend!  My dear family believes in doing it right for my birthday and always does at least a "birthday weekned" if not a full "octave"! 

This year was especially poignant -- not just because it marked the end of my 49th year, but it also marked the welcoming of a new member to the family:  Max, the mini-schnauzer -- he's only 8 weeks + 2 days old and is a little shy ...

but String Bean already has him playing nicely!

I am SO blessed with my family and friends ... many of whom sent wishes all summed up in the Byzantine song, "God grant her many years".  My children and dh gave me many wonderful things, including the cards and table decor shown below (if you look closely, you'll see BamBam's gift:  a Steve Young football card!)

I am so amazingly blessed!  THANK you to all, near and far, for the good wishes, prayers and love ...

you mean so much to me and mine!

Out and About on a Friday

This was one of our "outside" days .... and the gorgeous weather helped make it even nicer.  First, down to Orange for a drawing class for Lego Maniac and String Bean.  BamBam and I enjoyed walking around the historic town ... and enjoying "to die for" cinnamon rolls at "Not Just Desserts" while waiting for the kiddoes. 

Then, it was off to Montpelier to celebrate Constitution Day and enjoy the afternoon with some wonderful homeschool families (incl one who was celebrating his birthday a few days early). 

After almost two hours of the boys running ... and running ... and running and the girls and moms chatting away, we headed over to visit our newest family member -- Max.  Max is 7 weeks old today and will be coming home a week from Sunday.  We're all (except maybe dh) really excited ...

Isn't just sweet?  And he's the second smallest in the litter and just a charmer! 

Hope your day was just as wonderfully active!