2 years ago in Camden, SC....

We went to an animal shelter intending to get a little female terrier I had found 2 days before. When we got there we told them we wanted that dog and were told that she was already adopted. I was sad, but we went back to the puppy/small dog room and Stephen spotted this adorable black puppy with one blue eye. Ironically she was the only dog I had held the day I had visited without Stephen. Well obviously we fell in love with this tiny black puppy with little brown "accents" over her eyes, on the tip of her nose, and her feet.We took her home, named her Sadie, and introduced her to Mr. Rupe (my 16 year old silky terrier). They got along alright and Rupe actually played for the first time in months! I was SO happy I cried. Sadly Rupe got very sick just a few days later and passed away from congestive heart failure (that he had fought for almost 3 years) and then kidney failure on December 23, 2008. It was very hard on me but I was so happy to have my Sadie. She was truly a gift from God to help me through the grief of losing my first dog.

Sadie 8 weeks old, with Mr. Rupe

Sadie with her Christmas toys

Sadie was our first puppy and boy was it a learning curve! But we read a lot of books and tried our best to do right by her. Well around 6 months old she started getting gray hairs around her eyes and down her back. It was weird but cute. She had always been kinda sleek and black,and  all of a sudden she was turning into the shaggy dog!  We couldn't believe it, even her vet said wow Sadie! I don't think she is ever the same color when you bring her in! Even now she is getting whiter instead of gray. I discovered a breed called a bearded collie and she looks just like them!! Apparently they start out black and slowly turn gray and white and then sometimes go back to darker! Well I always wanted a "shaggy dog" and I sure got the best one!!

She is starting to go gray!!

Loving the beach!

She likes to lay on my scrubs so I can't go to work, Sadly for her it never works!

Can you believe that little black/brown puppy turned into this "gray beast"!!

Well two years later we now have two other dogs. I love them all sooo much. They bring so much joy to my life and each brings a different aspect to me with their personalities. Sadie is my sweet sweet cuddle bug (hence her nick name Sadie-Bug). Lucy is just a big goof, always wanting to play and jump and get in trouble, but she is really sweet too. (she is aka Lucy-Goosey). Pepper is my shadow, he likes to follow me everywhere and is always ready to chill on the bed or go for a ride or especially go for walks! (he is aka Pepperoni). I can't imagine life without my dogs, and I hope to have these ones for many years to come!

aah the weekend!

This weekend has been great. Friday (which I now have off YAY!) I spent with the dogs, we were cold cause Daddy had not turned on the heat yet so after he went to work we turned it on, hopped back in bed and cuddled for most of the day. I LOVE getting to spend time with my "fur kids" on Fridays all by myself. It is also nice to have some "alone" time because I spend my full time (37.5 hours crammed into 4 days) job talking to patients/other nurses/doctors etc. non-stop. So it is nice to be alone with the dogs and a computer and some crocheting or cleaning or laundry.
Saturday we relaxed in the morning and then went to my parent's house to start the process of scraping, sanding, and painting the doors, window, and porch railings on her front porch. I got very cold and convinced Stephen and Mom to stop around 5. Then Stephen went to a guy's movie night, Dad was at the USC football game and Mom and I went to Starbucks and shopping! I asked my parent's if I could possibly have an early birthday present because my old, trusty camera completely broke about a month ago. They said OK so off to Target we went and I have a new camera, YAY!! We spent the rest of the night cuddled for warmth (they don't have heat on yet lol) in her bed watching Letter's to Juliet while the guys were out with their friends.

The bowls I "made" for the dogs :)

Lucy being her goofy self and Pepper on the back of the chair.

Today was the Free to Breathe 5k. My co-workers husband was diagnosed June 2009 with stage 4 lung cancer and lost his courageous battle May 2010. We wanted to get a big team together in honor of him. We got amazing response from her friends, family, church etc. She had amazing t-shirts made for "Team Gary". It was a very special event. It was nice to see others in our community gathering to help raise money for more MUCH needed awareness and research for lung cancer. My coworkers daughter spoke at the event. I was amazed at her ability to speak in front of so many people about her Dad. She shared how the disease had changed their lives, but not all for the worse. God really opened up their eyes and brought them closer. She was very moving; a testimony not only for lung cancer but for bringing people to the Lord. It was awesome and I am so glad I was able to be a part of Team Gary.

My Mom and Dad, the front of the Team Gary shirts

The back of the shirts

after the walk at my parent's house

cuddling my 3 on the couch after the 5k

warm happiness in a cup? I think so!