I wanted to let every one know that the Prayer Pups are home with us now. Carl and I went on Friday to get them from Phred's good friends and neighbors, Pat & Joan. It was a 3 1/2 hour trip but Joan had a delicious lunch waiting us. When we walked in the door, both Cinder and Smokey came up to us to be greeted. I think Joan was a little surprised that they remembered us. I am having trouble posting pictures but Smokey sat right down next to Carl and waited patiently for him to pet him. Joan had called us in the morning to let us know that we would only be bringing two dogs back - Heidi's original owners came and got her once they had heard Phred had passed. We obviously have mixed feelings about that. While being a little relieved that we had one less dog to add to our family of 4 fur kids, we were also disappointed because we knew that Phred loved Heidi too and the idea of having all of them had really grown on us.
Joan and Pat are wonderful people - obviously very good to Phred and his pups. We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting with them and telling Phred stories. Pat was a fireman with Phred but they were surprised to find a side of him they didn't know. Joan was shocked to hear that Phred had arranged firemen to visit Staci and friends when she was visiting in California. They didn't know about the "Prayer pups, clam juice or many of the other "Pet Talk" stories. In some papers Phred made out when he had the heart surgery in 2006, he said that the would not know much about this side of him - he "had never invited them to join because he didn't want them to know what a total FruitCake I was."
We didn't begin our trek home until about 4:30 or 5:00. It was kind of strange but I had a feeling that the dogs knew we had come to get them. The way they greeted us, the way Smokey attached himself to Carl, And the way Cinder got up with his front paws on my lap and into my face a couple of times. In fact, one time I thought they were telling us it was time to go. I have no doubt Phred had visited them and told them that we were going to be taking care of them and it was okay if they loved us too. They are such great riders. They laid down in the back seat and we did not hear a word from them.
When we arrived home, our crew was very happy to see us. They were a little uncertain about us bringing Cinder and Smokey with us. They were kind of liking the extra attention as our numbers were going down. But, (knock on wood) everything has gone wonderfully. No disagreements, no growls, no fights. It seems as though they have always been here.
Cinder and Smokey always slept with Phred and I was a little concerned about that as Dazzi and Taggert sleep with us now and a queen size bed doesn't really allow the room for more dogs to share our bed. Joan and Pat did not allow them to sleep with them so they haven't tried so far. The first night they slept in the family room on the couch. Tucker sleeps out there in a crate so they all seemed okay with that. The second night they started off in the family room again but when I got up in the morning, they were both sleeping in the hallway outside our bedroom door. Last night, Cinder slept next to Carl on the floor. Smokey moved to the living room. It is kind of interesting to watch them adjust.
We have been leaving Dazzi, Taggert, Smokey and Cinder loose in the house when we are gone and at night. That has been going wonderfully well too. I think our decision was the right one. They seem to fit right into our family! And we are very glad to have them with us!
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Having great new buddies to play with will help immensely. All your pups are so well loved and cared for - a natural transition. Phred must be beaming
12/02
Originally Posted by 4 Dog Mother
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