Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Dog Days of Summer






Lilly and Nancy have invited us to visit and share our story. I have known Nancy and her boys for many years and so I have known her dogs.


We are like their family in that our house is not a "Home" without a dog...we are dog-people and our dogs are people-dogs with talents and tricks, and unique personalities that only develop in animals when they live with people who spend time with them. Mike and I had lost a wonderful dog, Bonnet, and we knew the only way dog-people heal is to bring another dog into the home.We planned to wait because we had a cruise scheduled in the spring and didn't want to board a young dog...such was the plan, but we didn't realize how empty our empty nest would be without the constant companionship we were used to. And one October Sunday morning, the classifieds in hand, Mike asked, "Why do we have to wait?" I knew instantly what he was talking about...and we were soon in the car on our way to meet with our future "daughter-dog".
She came from a family near San Antonio and we met her people-parents and her dog-parents.

We have always said that a dog chooses you not the other way around...and this one was no exception. She came to us immediately and kept returning from her romps with her littermates to play with either Mike or me. We gathered her up and began our life again with renewed vigor. We made one stop on the way home to get her a collar and a DOGNY stuffed puppy that she has to this day. We named her LadyBird because 1...it goes with our last name, Johnson ...2...it's the name of the dog on King of the Hill...3..it just fits her so well.

She is five now. And of course, she is the sweetest and the smartest of all the dogs we have ever had. She is a "Daddy's girl" to the core, but she has her rituals with me and play time that she reserves just for me. Every night after dinner, she heads for the door for quality time with Mom
and a tennis ball...we play baseball and I call the hit and she gets ready ..."Line drive" and she backs up and digs in...or "High pop fly" and she looks up ready to get under it...she really is the smartest...

7 comments:

Nancy said...

I loved it LaVerne - the whole story! Of course you think she's the smartest dog in the world...but you're biased. I'm not biased and she really IS the smartest dog in the world! I learned my lesson from you guys - always have a dog in the house and don't wait four years. Love, Nancy
PS She also has the best NAME in the world!

Anonymous said...

Well, all I can say is Ladybird is a very lucky dog. Oops, I mean person.
We feel the same way about our poodle. It is amazing how much of a person they become!!! She is adorable too.

Jeanne

Anonymous said...

It was so nice to meet you through Nancy's Pet Show. Your little Lady Bird story was so special--thank you for sharing. When we visited SA a few years ago, we took a little excursion to a town called New Braunfels---I believe it was on the Guadalupe River. Are you located near there? I loved the little spot and we spent quite awhile visiting the shops. It was a sweet escape from the River Walk scene--although I enjoyed that, too.

Anonymous said...

Lucky Ladybird and lucky you. I love the name Ladybird. And, I liked the human Ladybird, too.

katylinvw said...

what a sweet story! she is just precious in this pic, too!

Anonymous said...

Awe that such a good story. I'm with you on the animal picks the family.

Thanks for sharing.

Brandee :-)

Joanne Kennedy said...

What a great story. I'm happy you didn't wait until after your trip to get a dog because you would have missed out on such a sweet girl.

You picked a darling name for her too!

Hugs,
Joanne



Limping Deer and the Twins

Limping Deer and the Twins
They are still spotted at this time.

Show and Tell Sunday June 15

Flea Market Finds...sounds like my whole house and yard...

Milk Glass Collection

Milk Glass Collection
Who knew that a 25 cent flea market find would unleash such a collecting frenzy? I never pay more than a dollar unless it's a really nice piece. They are great grouped with a single daisy in each.

These used to be inexpensive florist vases in the 50's and 60's. Everyone's Grandmother had bunches.

Mexicana Dishes

Mexicana Dishes
My sister found these for me at Bussy's Flea Market in San Antonio, Texas. I had seen pictures in her Fiesta reference book. Mexicana was also made by Homer Laughlin in the 30's. I had been looking for several years without ever finding even a single piece when she found the set...with a promise to hold it for us, she came running to find me and I bought the entire set...60+ pieces for $50.

Mexicana

Mexicana
I've added to the set over the years, but the price and experience will never match that first amazing find.

Vintage Kitchen Hutch

Vintage Kitchen Hutch
When my hubby found this hutch it was Pepto pink and I was not 100% sure about it. But with a new red back and fresh white paint and refurbished hardware, it became one of my favorite pieces.

Nancy made me save the vine

Nancy made me save the vine
The vine and flowers painted on the inside were in such bad shape that I was ready to remove it all. Nancy -My Crafty Little Page convinced me to keep it and after some touch-up work, I'm glad I listened to her. My husband restores vintage Cushman motorscooters and he tries to make everything "mint" condition again. The Shabby Chic movement came along just in time to keep me from making some terrible mistakes.