It was time.

We finally found the perfect dog.  It was a long time comin.  It is just a few days from the 2 year anniversary of Luther's untimely death and lately we have really been craving a dog.  A big dog.  A good dog for our location and for kids.  We've always kind of wanted a lab, so we've been keeping our eyes open but not finding much.  Mostly I check the Humane Society, and if they have labs at all, they are typically older or have a health condition.  So we had really started branching out and looking at other bigger dog breeds, but I think in our hearts, we knew we wanted a lab.  So, dearest friend Tosha tagged me in a Facebook post on the Lincoln Pet Exchange group and that's how we wound up with Chopper.  It hasn't been 24 hours yet, but it seems that we have made a good choice.  He is so sweet and well mannered and soft and charming and brown and has such big paws....and he already loves Willa.  I think they are going to be bestest friends.  Stickers is mad and jealous and hissy/growly, but he will get over it.  Bailey hasn't really come out of her hiding place to meet Chopper yet, but she will.  I did have to leave last night before bed time, so I'm not sure how he did, but I'm going to pretend that he was a perfect angel, and went willingly into his kennel and slept all night there without whining or peeing.  Yep, I'm sure that's how it went.  And, he is going to want to sleep all morning with me, too:)

See?  Only a best friend would share a space this small with you and still love you.  

This is what we did to honor Luther on the anniversary of his passing.  Brad and I put Willa to bed and then stuffed our pockets with fat sharpies and flashlights and rode our bikes to the bridge where he was hit and wrote him a little note.  A love note.  'Cuz we loved him.

Thinking about Luther

Today will mark the one year anniversary of losing our favorite long friend.  Certainly, our hearts are healing but gosh darn it.  I still cry when I read these posts.  Or look at pictures of him.  Or when Willa talks about him, which is often.  Why did he have to be so darn sweet?  And weird and naughty and cute? Something will be done in honor of Luther today.  Not sure what yet, but trust that it will be both sad and happy.  And NO, it won't be to get a yellow lab puppy and name it Luther 2.  Got that, Brad and Willa?!?

If you want to think back fondly on Luther:
Farewell, friend
Puppy Love
Mabel and Lu-Dog

Mabel and Lu-Dog

I want to say a million thank you's to all of our friends and family who sent us such nice thoughts and prayers in the last week.  It is evident that we surround ourselves with animal lovers!  I want also to share this most beautiful blog post from my friend, brooke.  Her pup, Mabel, and Luther were instant friends from the moment they met.  It was always guaranteed that if Luther and Mabel were going to hang out, they would then be exhausted for days, as they would play so hard.  That is true friendship.  Why don't people play like that???  Oh that's right, we have to go to work afterward, not take naps on couches all day long.  Pay special attention to the picture of Luther eating the stuffed cheeseburger, squeaker and all. 

Puppy love

In case you didn't shed tears after that last post, here are some pictures of pictures of baby Luther.  I'm guessing right about now, you want to go buy a basset hound puppy.  Or at least spend some time playing with one.  I know I do!