A Weekend with Etta James

Etta James… so many things I can say about this adorable pup! She is sweet, silly, happy, lovable, cuddle bug… an actual angel. Absolutely nothing bad to say about this dog.

For the whole weekend, I got to snuggle, eat snacks, nap, and play with a pup who couldn’t stop smiling and wagging her tail.

Etta James has been through the worst of the worst and still… she has this joy in her heart that she has to spread to those around her. Sweet Etta had her leg amputated and has to hop around with only three legs. She has tumors all over her and is suffering from mass cell cancer. She doesn’t have a lot of time left, and while it breaks my heart and I hate this for her, she still keeps going. She doesn’t dwell on the sad parts of her life, and instead, she gets excited about everything.

**Her face when she hears someone in the kitchen**

She lives to hear the fridge opening. Her ears go all the way up and she listens so intently, hoping for a snack of any kind. Mom got her chicken nuggets from McDonalds, gave her cheese crackers, and we made her eggs. She had cheese bacon flavored dog ice cream and doggie cookies too. She was eating to her hearts content and nothing less the entire weekend (she also couldn’t stop passing gas lol).

And what’s so adorable… she loves to lay in your arms and be pet endlessly. She requires lots of pampering and I have no problem giving her all the snuggles. If anyone deserves it, it’s Etta James!

Mom and I even got to take her for a car ride to say hi to my grandma and go for a ride in the PetSmart cart around the store and outside in the parking lot, taking in the fresh air. It was one of the best weekends I have had in a long time. I wish I could permanently foster her, but unfortunately, no one in my family is home all day to do so.

Etta needs someone home for the most part to help in case she needs it… especially with moving around. It’s so hard for her hopping around on the three legs with her little body. She is such a trooper though!

I will be taking Etta for many weekends coming up. I plan on giving her as much love as I can and picking her up just about every week for as many days I can be home with her. I want to give her so much attention. She needs and deserves it. I will do everything I can for this sweet, kindhearted animal with the biggest heart.

Thank you Emma and Sedona for sending miss Etta James my way. 🙂

Fostering Dogs :)

Mom and I are going to foster a dog for the weekend. I get excited just thinking about having a sweet, furry creature to cuddle and give love too. I’ve missed having a dog in the house to follow me around and be my best friend. Sedona has been gone since January and I haven’t felt the same since then.

I bought the dog we are fostering for the weekend a stuffed animal… Biscuit. It’s not very long at all, that we’re fostering, but the rescue organization we got Sedona from said we could foster for a weekend or a week… any time. It helps dogs that have been there for a while get a break to relax away from the other dogs in a safe, cozy environment. So, Mom and I agreed to do it for the sweet pup, and I knew a little stuffed animal would make them smile as well. And so… here we are… about to get a dog and have a little present to make the pup feel welcome in our home. It’s exciting. I’m so happy to do this.

I’m not sure which dog I’m fostering… just yet, but I will find out tomorrow. It’ll be a surprise and I love that. I don’t care what breed, what age… I just want the saddest, loneliest, in need of the most love, pup. ❤

Dogs are so special. Even if you can help a dog for a short amount of time, it makes a difference to them. They’ll appreciate it. I would save all the pups if I could.

Since I was little, I’ve always had a heart for dogs. I would read to them at library events, play with my uncle’s dogs, want cute doggie stuffed animals. I loved them since day one. I can’t wait to continue this journey of helping sweet dogs out and giving them the happiness and contentment they deserve in a warm home with a soft bed and all the stuffed animals to snuggle with.

Always remember… adopt or foster… don’t shop!

Dear Sedona

Dear sweet Sedona pup,

I love you so much. I’m happy when you’re happy. I’m sad when you’re sad. I’d do anything for you. Anything. I just want you to live forever and love every moment you spend with me.

It’s hard knowing I can’t save you from the pain you face. I can’t fix your back legs. I can’t fix the pain in your hips. All I can do is give you medicine, take you to the vet, pray God heals you, pray He gives you more time with us.

If I could take all the pain away for you… I would in a heartbeat. I just want you to smile with your lil canine teeth and wag your nub of a tail 24/7. Seeing you like this, well… it breaks my heart…to say the least.

I wish I met you sooner in life and had even more time with you. But, I’m still so grateful. I wouldn’t trade the past 3 years I got to know you for the world. You have brought all the joy into my life. I felt so lost when I lost my childhood dog, Emma. You helped me through it. You put a smile on my face again. You made me laugh with your prancing around and being silly. You made me loved with your kisses and hugs. Thank you, my sweet girl.

Getting to cuddle and watch movies with you on the couch, going for walks, eating lil snacks together, taking all the cute pictures… I treasure every moment I have spent with you. I’ll continue to until the very end.

I promise to make the time you have left here on earth special and full of love and snuggles. You’re my best friend. You always will be. I love you to infinity and beyond (I know Toy Story is your favorite movie).

Love always and forever,

Your Chea

The One Where Grandma Gets a Dog

I’ve been waiting since I was a kid for Grandma Cookie to get a dog. It only took her till 2023 to finally adopt a doggie!

I thought she was kidding when she said Grandpa agreed to let her have one. My poor Granny hasn’t had a dog in 25 years (since 1996). That is way too long of a wait! When she said she was serious, I nearly fainted from the shock.

This past Saturday, Grandma, Grandpa, and my Uncle Jay went and checked out the dogs at the animal shelter. There sat a sweet and silly bloodhound mix… Kona. She’s 7 months old and is SUPER ADORABLE. She likes to jump up on you and lick you all over the face. She loves to chew on her toys and take shoes and run around. She loves walks and most importantly… HER TREATS.

Grandma has a new best friend in Kona. She has someone to cuddle and spend time with her all day long. I couldn’t be happier for her and me (I plan to the visit the pup all the time).

It’s going to be a lot of work, but so worth it for my grandma to finally be able to have a fur-ever friend. And now I have a new furry family member to love and give so many hugs and kisses to. DOGS ARE THE BEST.

I mean look at her. Just look at her! She’s a sweet pup. I’ve gone over twice to see her and both times she’s jumped on me and had to lick my face. She also loves belly rubs and walks to the park! She’s just so precious!

It’s safe to say I’ll be running over to Grandma and Grandpa’s house all the time! I’ll be there every week to hangout with my girl, Kona!

Two Years With My Sedona/Her 12th B-Day

**Sedona looking glam in her b-day bandana**🥳✨

06.06.20 ~ the day Sedona entered my life and became my forever foster senior dog!

It was the beginning of COVID-19. I had just moved across the country with my family to Arizona. It was the beginning of summer and we had finally started to settle into our new home. It was then we decided to foster Sedona, the sweetest boxer/pit-bull mix. The most adorable senior pup full of spunk and always eager to please. The doggie who always gets super excited for all her walks and can close doors— it’s safe to say she’s literally one of the best dogs I’ve ever met. Sedona is so well trained, so lovable, so silly, and just all around the perfect dog for me (and my family)!

I can’t believe it’s two years ago today she became my best friend fur-ever. And it’s her birthday!! Twelve-years-old! My furry baby is twelve and doesn’t look a day over 6. 😉 I’m so thankful we’ve gotten to watch her grow and become this happy, care-free dog full of love and life. She went from this very shy, nervous pup who would barely leave her chair, to this big girl pup who rules the house (she’s literally queen of the couch now). She feels safe and content and most importantly happy and for that I’m so incredibly glad. Every dog deserves a special home— no matter the age. We can’t save every dog but even if one pup’s life is changed, it’s all worth it. It’s worth it to rescue a dog and make his/her life 10x better. It really is.

To celebrate this very special day, we made sure Sedona got a walk over to the park, a new stuffed animal, and a kiddie cup of vanilla ice cream. She also got lots of naps in today. What more could a senior doggie want in life, right?

I think it’s safe to say she felt extra loved & appreciated today.

P.S.

You can never have too many pictures of your dog on your phone. (I must have 1,000 by now).

Emma Girl, I Miss You So Very Much

April 4, 2010 — Emma’s Adoption Anniversary

12 years ago— April 4, 2010, you came into my life. You were just a pup (9 months old) and all you cared about was the box of milk bones I spilled in the car. You tried to eat every single one before I picked up the box (silly pup). I didn’t know what I was doing because I never had a dog before. I can remember reading a Cesar Millan book on how to take care of dogs (I wasn’t kidding when I said I had no idea). But you showed me that’s it not that complicated. Dogs are simple. Love them and they’ll love you right back. You taught me that as soon as you entered my life.

You made my life better, brighter, and were always a constant joy and comfort to me. Emma Girl, if only you could have lived forever. I would have loved to have you with me right now. Have you sit next to me on the couch and watch a scary movie with. Share goldfish like we used to. Take naps together. Go for walks. I miss it all. I miss you. I love you.

I would give anything to spend one more day cuddling with you, giving you kisses— telling you how much I love you. It’s hard not having you here and it always will be. But I like to think you sent Sedona my way. You knew I would need another furry friend to love and do everything with, from walks at the park to cuddles on the couch to taking 1,000 pictures together. You knew I would need another pup to fill the void in my heart without you here. Thanks for looking out for me— for bringing Sedona to me, for being so special to me and such a great dog for the nine years I did have you. Those were the best years ever and ones I will cherish forever.

Can’t wait to see you again one day and have you come running to me with a big smile on your face and your big fluffy tail wagging happily and hear you bark, your cute, sassy “Ra ra roo!” like you used to all the time. For now, go play and eat lots of milk bones and Chick-fil-A chicken minis while you wait for me up there. LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH.

You’ll be in my heart always & forever, Emma Girl. xoxo ~ Your Chea

“Before you get a dog, you can’t quite imagine what living with one might be like; afterward, you can’t imagine living any other way.” — Caroline Knapp

Emma’s 12th Birthday

Sending Birthday Love to my Angel Pup

If my sweet Emma Girl were still alive, my pup would be 12-years-old today (8/7/21). I miss her so much. Maybe you’re reading this right now and thinking, “You still remember your dog’s birthday… you still celebrate it? What, are you crazy?” Think what you want about me, but let me tell you something. I loved my Emma more than anything. There’s always that one person, one dog, one animal… there’s always that one someone that’s very special and will touch your life, leaving an impact on you forever. And, well… you just can’t forget about them, ever.

No matter how much time goes by, I’ll never forget about my golden retriever/cocker spaniel mix. I’ll never forget about the dog who had such a personality. A dog who loved almost everyone she came across. A dog who lived for Chick-Fil-A chicken minis. A dog who demanded human food and would bark and give paw until she got her way. I’ll never forget about my dear Emma. She was a sweetheart and super duper sassy. And, she was so so unique. I know I say it all this all the time when I mention Emma, but it’s true. There was something about her that made her original, and I know for a fact I’ll I never meet another dog like her. I’m sure right now Emma’s running around and living her best life in Doggie Heaven, because she was a very good girl her whole life on earth and of course, she had the biggest, most loving heart.

She can finally see after being blind half of her doggie life and can finally eat all her heart desires without getting sick. I bet she’s finally even getting along with other dogs (Emma didn’t like other pups too much…she preferred humans). Not gonna lie, I always get a little teary eyed talking about Emma or writing about her. If you knew her, you would completely understand. She was Emma (need I say more). It was nearly impossible not to love a silly, lovable golden pup like her.

Happy, happy birthday up there, Emma Girl! You’re always missed and always so very loved by mom and me. We will never forget you, pup. We still talk about you all the time and tell Sedona how wonderful you were.

“Sometimes losing a pet is more painful than losing a human because in the case of the pet, you were not pretending to love it.” – Amy Sedaris

When You’re Obsessed with Your Dog & Have No Shame

Always Blessed & Dog Obsessed

I’m literally the type of person who will be driving down the road and if I catch sight of a dog walking by on the sidewalk, you bet I’m waving at them and calling them cute as I go past them. Sounds extra, I know, but I can’t help it! I mean, c’mon, don’t you wish you could just spend all day every day playing and cuddling with your furry best friend or any dog for that matter? (You better answer yes, otherwise you aren’t a true animal lover)!

I’m obsessed with dogs. OBSESSED. (There, I said it… even though you already knew). I kid you not, I take picture after picture of my Sedona pup. I talk to her like she’s a person. I cuddle with her. I teach her tricks. I buy her bandanas to make her look like a fashionista. I insist she feel like a queen and nothing less. I do everything to ensure my pup is a very happy girl 24/7! Why? ‘Cause I’m a crazy dog lady…duh!

People Are Boring…Dogs Aren’t!

I rather hangout with Sedona than a person. She’s fun, silly, and never gives me sass. She just goes with the flow and vibes with anything I say or do. What more could I want? Forget people, they’re too much trouble. I wanna hang with dogs only!

Please tell me there’s more dog-obsessed, crazy people like me out there. People who treat their dogs like their absolute royalty and nothing less and would rather chat about them and how great they are than anything else in this world. I cannot be the only one!

Anyways, I’m here to say…have no shame. Have no shame fellow dog lovers, who can’t shut up about their pooches! ‘Cause you know what? Who cares if people think you’re weird for loving your dog so much? Who cares if people judge you for treating your pet like your child? Who cares if you rather hangout with your dog than people? WHO CARES! Not me, I’ll tell you that much.

Take a thousand pictures of your pooch. Make them an Instagram account and post way too many pics of them rolling around on their back or wearing sunglasses, or just looking adorable, period! While you’re at…give them their own room in the house. Buy them all the treats their heart desires. Buy them the cuddliest stuffed animals to snuggle with. Treat them like a little person. Show off your dog to friends and family. Brag your heart out about your dog. And, let me say it again.. have no shame for loving them and treating them like they’re the best thing to ever happen to you. I know I don’t!

“It’s just the most amazing thing to love a dog, isn’t it? It makes our relationships with people seem as boring as a bowl of oatmeal.”—John Grogan

Dogs – Little Furry Angels

Dogs – The Best Animals Out There

I really think without dogs, life would be so boring. Sure, all the other animals are cute and great, but dogs… THEY ARE PERFECT. They know what to do for every situation. They make you laugh on your worst days. Cuddle with you to keep you from being sad. They keep you on a routine. They calm your nerves. Dogs do a lot for us humans! They can even convince dog haters to become dog lovers, including my brother.

My brother hates animals. Ever since we were little, he never wanted a pet. He could just care less. When we got Emma, my first pup, he slowly warmed up. He would pet her once month (I kid you not). And when we started fostering Sedona, he acted the same way as he did with Emma. Until one day, he changed completely. I don’t know if it was Sedona’s sad puppy eyes or her silliness getting excited to go for walks that changed him. They’re practically best friends now. He feeds her. He takes her outside. He pets her. He’s become a dog lover- the guy who hates animals. Go figure! He loves Sedona more than he loves me (and I’m totally okay with that)!

So you see, dogs change lives. They make you open yourself up and become vulnerable with them. They bring out your younger, child-like self. They teach you how to live with arms wide open. They do it all. I’d be a completely different person without dogs in my life. I don’t think I’d be as happy as I am right now.

Little Angels That Brighten Our Lives

As I mentioned in my last post, after losing my Emma, I fell apart and it took me a long time to find my way back. I didn’t have a dog for a year after she passed away, and it was horrible. The house felt too quiet. I had no one to greet me when I came home. I felt empty inside. When we found Sedona, my life got 10x brighter. I found myself enjoying life again. I found myself feeling content that everything would be okay after all.

I started looking forward to coming home and seeing a boxer/pit bull mix waiting for me at the door. Her nub of a tail would start wagging, and she would start running around, completely over the moon I’m finally home again.

Not that long ago, I went back to New Jersey for my best friend’s wedding, and when I came home, my Sedona was so excited to see me. She couldn’t sit still or stop kissing me. She was so, so happy. It was the sweetest thing! It makes me feel so special having a kind-hearted pup who loves me and wants to be with me 24/7. I wish I could take her everywhere with me! I really do!

Dogs are angels. God sends them to earth to watch over us (you can’t convince me otherwise). He sends them to make us smile. Make us enjoy the simple things. Make us see that life can be beautiful, really beautiful if we take the time to look around and enjoy it (just like them). Dogs are angels with paws instead of wings. I believe it…with all my heart. I can never emphasize enough how wonderful dogs are.

“You think dogs will not be in Heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

One Year With Sedona

One Year of Love & Good Vibes From Sedona Baby

June 6th, 2020, my family and I welcomed a sweet, shy, senior pup into our lives. She was afraid of the new environment she was placed in and wasn’t too sure about us. But, as the weeks went by, she slowly started to let her guard down after seeing how much we wanted her to be a part of our family.

Sedona started to give out hugs and kisses. She started smiling. She started being silly. She started trusting us. Before we knew it, she became a member of our family. She became a very special part of our family and our very best friend. She made one of the craziest years the best one for us, and we couldn’t be more thankful for her.

It’s been a year full of endless love and silliness from Sedona. She’s such an unique pooch, to say the least. She prances around when you tell her she’s going for a walk. She tries to act serious in pictures but she’s a complete goof ball. She likes to close and open doors with her snout. She loves to follow someone around the house so she’s never alone. She has to have her dinner super early every day (we’re talking one in the afternoon). She thinks she’s a guard dog and gets very mad when Amazon drops a package off. She loves napping on the couch or in my mom’s king sized bed. When she’s happy she wags her nub of a tail and tucks her ears back. She’s acts like a little lady (very well behaved and classy). There’s just so much about her that’s wonderful and adorable and makes us all smile. I’m certain Emma Girl sent Sedona our way. There’s no doubt in my mind! She knew we needed a senior pup like Sedona to fill our hearts with so much love and pure happiness.

We also decided to celebrate Sedona’s birthday yesterday, too! She’s now 11 years old (but doesn’t look a day over 5)! Needless to say, yesterday was a very busy day for the senior pup. We got her a stuffed animal and took her for a walk and to get ice cream from Sonic. We also had her wear a super cute birthday bandana (check out the first picture). She was pooped by the end of the day and snored all night long. It’s safe to say she enjoyed yesterday! 🙂

We LOVE Sedona very much and are forever thankful she came into our lives… and at just the right time!

“Dogs teach us a very important lesson in life: the mailman is not to be trusted.”—Sian Ford