It's Time To Pawty!

{as dictated to Brandi, by Leroy the Puppy Boy}

Hi, I'm Leroy!

I came home on July 4, 2013, when I was only 3 months old.  My human friends Travis and Brandi loved me right away, even though I was a little scared.  I remembered them from all the visits while I was at the shelter, so like I knew they were cool, but I had never spent time away from my bothers and sister.  And then I rode in this moving thing and then they showed me all kinds of grass and toys...  I mean it was great, but I was overwhelmed for a little bit.  But soon it became apparent these people that only walked on two legs (I still don't get it) were going to be my bestest friends furevers, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Brandi and Travis decided my Woofday was April 4, because that makes it easy to remember.  Here's my first one. And because I was too little to know when I was born and couldn't call up ma & paw, I said... OK!  But then the coolest thing happened!  My human friends found my brother through Instmagrams.  His name is Mr. Bentley Jackson and he's pawesome!  After not seeing each other for a year, we played at the park and had THE BEST TIME.  We have a super, special puppy bond and that's swell. 

So my second Woofday happened.  But today, we get to have a pawty!!!  It's gonna be at the Zoom Room where I can run and play and see my friends.  And of course, my brother.  I love Brandi. I love Travis, I love my brother, I love my aunties and uncles and all the people who puppysit me, and all the people who have fun with me.

<3

 

 

La historia de dos Hermanos

Leroy, the Puppy Boy, has been with us almost a year; July 4th to be exact (read about his April birthday.)  We are so, extremely lucky and overjoyed at how wonderful a boy he is and how brilliantly he enhances our lives.  My brain can't process how 55 weeks ago, he wasn't in our faces.  Running up to say hi when we get home; Tough-guy prancing around; seeing his cute little underbite; Always on the lookout for that pesky squirrel.  And simply being our sweet boy...
 
His adoption situation was a wonderful, unique experience coming from the Glendale Humane Socieity.  It was all about family and building a strong connection, rather than getting these buddies out the door.  I really appreciate that modern take, because we're now friends with the shelter staff, trainers and other puppy parents!  Between the crew and social media, we have an open door for continuing the sibling bonding experience most dogs don't get.  Seeing them grow and following their entire lives is now totally possible and totally necessary.  It's so fucking special!!  gah!

A few weeks back, I remembered one of Leroy's siblings, Mr. Bentley Jackson (formerly Dolce) was on Instagram.  I have an instagram account but figured me sending Bentley a photo from my face would be weird.  So I created one for Leroy!  You should check it out, cuz why the hell not.  Sorting through the complexities of the site, oogling how to send a message, realizing you can't send a message - man, all I wanted to do is tell him and his mum - hey, we're here!  But through pawseverance, score!  We connected and yesterday, about 50 weeks later, two sets of giant, most cuteably squishy ears reunited.

We're so fucking lucky.  xo x a million.

 SGT. Leroy Buckles, re-meet Mr. Bentley Jackson

Bentley is the little blonde / Leroy is grey with a white nose

LOOK AT THEM NOW!!

Glendale Humane Society's 10th Annual Wags 'N' Whiskers Walk Fundrasier

If you're reading this here, you know how fucking much Travis and I love Leroy, our puppy boy.  Like you know how you love {insert thing} so much you just can't believe you keep finding more love???  And how the word love doesn't come close to how this little furry face touches your soul?  Yep, that's how we feel about him.  (you should read all about his First Woofday.)  When we adopted Leroy, we not only found a great friend but a wonderful organization, that feels like an extended family.  And they need our help!

If you are just SO motivated to help out and will read this later, Go Here, Yo.  If you already love my words, continue on.

The Glendale Humane Society is hosting their 10th Annual Wags 'N' Whiskers Walk, May 4.  All proceeds allow this No-Kill shelter to continue rescuing, caring and finding forever homes to a whole mess of furry friends.  On our donation page, I wrote a summary of what GHS does for animals and included a few tidbits of our personal experiences, but I added a little more below.  If you're curious...

We were surprised by the personal investment each staff member had.  They really wanted to make sure they were matching the right buddy to the right family.  And educational - man, let me tell you.  The shelter requires a prep-course before taking your friend home, which tremendously helped us.  I mean we were overwhelmed the first first days, but EVERY technique they taught has worked with Leroy.  We also continued education with Tully's Training, who works each week with the visiting dogs.  The whole mindset was a culture change to training, but now it's second nature, and we're able to handle any situation Leroy throws at us.  Even though he shares our address, we will never be on our own thanks to them!

Did you not get all warm and smiley just picturing those wonderful animals finding homes!  We are raising as many donations as possible for this incredible group!  Any donation, even the smallest amount, will directly support their efforts to feed, care, foster, nurse, and all around love more friends.  uh, and who doesn't want more friends!  Join us won't ya!  You can donate directly to our personal page here.

On behalf of the entire three-piece Clark band, we thank you!
- Brandi, Travis and of course, Leroy the puppy boy.


p.s. We understand many people work directly with their local shelters and may feel funny about donating to one they don't know.  We promise you, it's all for good!  But if you're unsure, and because giving is tops, make a donation to the one you love!  It's not just money, old blankets, towels, unused toys or equipment, volunteer - it's all appreciated and totally needed.


Resources:
Our Donation Page
Wags 'N' Whiskers Walk Even Information
Tully's Training

Leroy, the Puppy Boy.

Leroy, my friend, Happy Woofday!

Rescuing a buddy from a shelter usually doesn't afford you the opportunity to know when that friend was born.  True goes for Leroy.  We adopted him July 4, 2013 when he was about 3 months old, so Travis and I designated April 4, 2013 his birthday.

I'll admit how strange it is, being so excited to tell everyone he's one (or 7 depending.)  I guess I can margianlly see how new parents feel.  Telling anyone who'll listen about how awesome he is, how well behaved and happy he is and how much we love him.  How proud of him we are.  It does not in any way change my mind about really not wanting kids, but I get it.  I've taken to twitter and facebook today, sharing only pictures and gushy junk of him.

I don't know where all the excitement for this little guys day of birth is coming from, because I don't get this way for any other human, so why pups?  I don't spend weeks and days planning what we should do.  I don't get more and more happy the closer it comes.  I won't do it for anyone else but him.  Granted, his special day has been filled with parks and playing and treats.  Not too much, of course, but some cheese, blueberries and a couple air fries.  Come to think of it, that's pretty much awesome for anyone - human or pup!


Here's the story of how we met Leroy, our puppy boy.

Travis and I had spoken for years about wanting a dog, but we were in a too new relationship in our first apartment and the second didn't allow pets.  Well, the lease did specify one fat orange cat was allowed but only for the lady couple that lived beneath us.  But, after saving and scrimping, we were fortunate enough to afford our own house.  Ruff ruff, dog city here we come!  We have a yard, food and lots of love.  That's all you need, right?  But it wasn't that easy.  Travis had never raised a dog so he knew he needed to be mentally prepared before taking on such a responsibility.  Which I can TOTALLY appreciate now, but that's a separate story.  I, on the other hand, had raised several dogs, including a few puppies, so I was just waiting for the green pup light!  The time between taking ownership of the house and that light, was about a year.  And one day, Travis declared, "I think it's time we find our friend!"

I was so stoked!  We told the great news to a few close friends, our parents, etc. but not too many in case it didn't happen.  Ack - just like a pregnancy!  weird.  I spent time looking online at local rescue organizations, shelters, and societies because we were going rescue 100% baby!  We had an idea of what kind of dog we wanted, scruffy and on the smaller side, but not necessarily the breed.  He just had to say, "Hey, I'm Leroy."  Or she - we weren't ruling anyone out.  The online search soon became each of us finding pups that spoke to us, but not the other.  After a month of this, I was discouraged because I felt the puportunity slipping by.  My fear was Trav would come home and say lets give it a break and start up a few months later, and when those few months would go by, we'd still be puppyless.  But to my surprise, he suggested a Saturday in June, we check out some local shelters in person in case there were dogs not listed on their site.

We planned to visit three shelters that day:

1. The first was the closest and a place we'd both been before.  They had some sweet dogs, but not Leroy.  I mean of course we wish we could save them all, but hrmph.
2. The second was a much smaller operation and I liked their policy much better.  They didn't allow people to walk through the kennels because it can make the dogs anxious, so they showed us a book we could flip through.  In the smaller dog section again, no one said Hi, I'm Leroy.  We were a little disappointed, sitting with the book in hand.  We flipped through one more time, just in case... but nope.  They did have a puppy in the office, Brownie, but at only a few months he had giant paws.  Again, with a bigger yard we probably would have said yes, but it wasn't practical.  We started chatting with the staff, telling them about us and the type of friend we were looking for.  Retrospectively, I realized they had been screening us.  After, I guess, we had more smiley faces than frowns, the director of the shelter informed us they had some terrier puppies that would be ready for adoption in a month... if we wanted to see them.  We looked at each other with hopeful eyes and gave a big smile yes.  And that was it.
3. Never hesitated to know we didn't need to visit them.

Here's some great information:
Where we adopted Leroy: Glendale Humane Society
Mary and Alex, who were the most wonderful people and puppy trainers (LOVE them): Tully's Training
The Wheatons are super rescue people, who started a great Tumblr: Rescue Pets Are Awesome


The evolution of Leroy:

• These are the first photo sets we took of the puppies; they were all tentatively named designer brand names.  According to shelter paperwork, we adotped "Armani"

This was the photo we used to introduce our new friend to the world.

"Dolce" is the blond

 

"Tiffany" is the only girl in the middle.  "Lacoste" is the lighter grey to the left. "Armani" is at my feet.

 Leroy was such a mess... we gave him his first bath at the shelter.

His first weekend with us and a bully stick. He looked like a schnauzer for the first 6 months.

He and I took our first solo car ride together.  I took him to lunch at a local cafe.  He wasn't quite sure yet...

 Shortly after I took the black and white photo above, he gave his first Leroy smile.  I cried, I was so happy.  It made me feel that he felt safe with me.

His first experience eating carrot shreds.  oh puppy...

Sleepy puppy.

those ears...

I made this Leroy/Lederhosen mashup for Halloween.

 Halloween.

 Leroy and his girlfriend Fannie.

Puppy in the park.

besos.

Merry Christmas.

our only family portrait.

A look at just how much he's changed.

Leroy, a few days ago.

It's my Woofday... cheese peez.  xo