Wow.... it has been two years since Bailey wandered into my yard as a misplaced "stray" and into my life.  (and also two years since I joined this forum)   When I think back on how this little 9-lb furboy has changed my life ... I get emotional. 

Bailey continues to amaze me with his love of training and grasping anything new.  He is the most wonderful partner a human could ever have, and has given me so much of himself that it cannot be described in mere words.  He changed my life........ he has changed me... 

 Who would have ever thought that this little guy who was SO determined to be a part of my life... could have such an impact on so many people.  From patients in the nursing home... to my family and friends... and now with people in the agility community whom we've become so close to (as he is indeed the "oddball" of the group and has become quite the little "icon"...).  He has touched the lives of many, with his big soulful eyes and skinny, muscular lean body....his inquisitive nature... his desire to please.... his desire to be my constant shadow.  This little dog who has become so intensely aware of my every single move and emotion... who lays on the commode seat while I'm bathing, sits in his own chair at the kitchen table at mealtimes, and lays snuggled close beside me at night  (much to the chagrin of my trainer friends. LOL).

I can relate so much to this Nora. It will be 4 years since we walked into a pet store on a rainy day (because there was nothing else to do) just to LOOK at the puppies. I had no intention of EVER having a dog. I didn't know then what I know now about pet stores (I'll just leave it at that). All the puppies were cute and we held each and every one of them but this little guy just stole my heart. I remember going home and I just couldn't get him out of my mind. Kyle was so excited as he had always wanted a dog .. I always said NO. Wendell wouldn't commit either way. He's a smart man . Fast forward to 4 years later .. I would never have believed I could feel this way about any animal. He's my baby.

2 years and it seems like yesterday....Mayfly was only turning 1 when Bailey found you.

I can so relate to this...Mitzy just waltzed into my life and now I, too, feel that void when I leave home without her or Mayfly.  I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I could be so attached to a dog!  A horse - sure....but a dog?  Glenna gets the hugest kick out of me turning into "the dog lady" after these years.

Rat terriers truly are a very special breed.  I see that more and more as I encounter more of them in fostering.

According to his "rightful" owner.... he had spent a week in the house with hubby, me and my three dogs (while he was unclaimed)... and when he returned home he was no longer content to be an "outside dog".  He wanted to be in her house all the time, and that simply wasn't acceptable.  Nor was it acceptable for her to keep him up.  She tried putting him inside and he chewed off the corner of her grandfather's clock and some other things... so she said she couldn't keep him indoors.  He HAD to be an outdoor dog.  So everytime she let him out.... he returned to our house.

After 5 times of taking him back to her... she finally gave him to me.  She said I had "ruined" him.

I read this post earlier in the day, but could not respond, couldn't see through the tears!  Now I sit here and think how blessed I am.

My babies are well and healthy, my man has a job that temporally allows me time off to spend with my babies, and

I HAVE ALL OF YOU!  YA'LL UNDERSTAND!!!!

I have had furbabies all my life, that I have loved with all my being, but none of them prepared me for HER.  This tiny little tri rat.  A puppy bought on a whim due to a shared dream.

Bought, me. I bought a baby.  I cannot remember buying one before.  I take the ones who no one wants. Buy a puppy, out of the question.  But there was NO WAY she was not coming home with me.

From the moment she jumped up on the side of the cage and licked my BF's hand she stole our hearts.  She has been nothing but JOY.  She is the smartest baby in the world (yea I know we all say that).  It took 3 days to potty train her, 1 time on the leash and she was a pro, no matter where she is when you call her name she comes and if she is not coming fast enough you tell her hurry hurry and those legs (OMG those legs) go as fast as she can. When she wants up and I'm too busy she is content to be hauled around in a baby sling.  She loves all that we love and nobody or no animal is foe only friends. She is at my side almost 24 hours a day begging to make me happy. And when I go to bed a nite she is there with nite nite hugs and kisses.

Spoiled, you bet I am... I AM OWNED BY A RAT TERRIER!!!!!!!

cat