25 Years of Dogs and Critters
Today I celebrate 25 years of dogs and critters with the man I love. It’s our silver anniversary. I knew he was the man for me when I met his family pets – two handsome Great Danes, a Bichon and a cat. He had me at the Danes. I’m part Danish, you know. The dogs and critters are always a draw.
Why, our first year of marriage, we had a cockatiel, mice, fish, a snake, a cat and a rabbit. But no dog. Critters, but no dog. Dogs and critters have to go together. I do love me some dogs and critters. And maybe a ceee-ment pond.
A year into wedded bliss I was with child. We decided that we couldn’t be a family without a dog. We talked long about what kind of dog we needed. Of course we weren’t going to give up the critters (I did rehome the bunny with a third grade class – I imagined my unborn child crawling around eating rabbit pellets). But we needed a dog. And we couldn’t agree on a breed. Hunny won out with Golden Retriever. I’d have been happy with a mutt. We wound up at a kennel (which was really just a dog store), and there’ were no Goldens. We were very sad. But! We found a dog that we’d never heard of. They weren’t yet AKC registered.
Australian Shepherd
Clee-o was our first family dog. Finally we had dogs and critters both. We bought an Australian Shepherd book and discovered that she was a mutant. He coat was sleek instead of fluffy. Don’t let the sleek coat fool ya – she shed like CRAZY. But she was ours.
Those Aussies, not only do they shed, they’re a handful. I’d grown up with dogs. None were this crazy and active for so long. Clee-o tore things up her whole life. Windowsills. Door frames. Any woodwork in the house. The vacuum cleaner. My poor vacuum cleaners. She killed them all. And at that point, Jones Natural Chews was only local, or being sold in only the state of Illinois. Laura sent me pig ears for Clee-o to try. She LOVED LOVED LOVED the pig ears. Clee-o swore she was their biggest fan. I only wish I’d had Bandit’s Bones back then. Maybe we’d have gone through fewer vacuum cleaners.
Our Current Dogs and Critters
After 25 years with my sweetheart, we’re still all about dogs and critters. Shoot, when we were engaged to be married, Hunny came running to find me so I could collect a snake he’d found in the woods. It was a four foot black rat snake. Of course I obliged, even though the thing hated me and bit me every time it had a chance. No snakes today, though. Our current dogs and critters are as follows :
- Four dogs, all rescue mutts – two Aussie/German Shepherd mixes, two lap dogs
- Two cats who love to hunt mice and rabbits
- Four chickens
- One duck
- Indoor aquariums (two) with fish and snails
- Two outdoor tank/pond – goldfish and koi
The bearded dragons moved out when my oldest son did.
And we’ve been Jones Natural Chews fans for more than 20 years. My four dogs will do just about anything for a tiny piece of a Big Paw Jerky or a Pumper. Shoot, for just about any Jones treat. The cats, not so much. But even the chickens love chicken taffy.
Celebrate
So let’s celebrate my anniversary! Staying married 25 years is quite a feat, not gonna lie. Just this week, just this post, I’m giving away Jones Natural Chews loveliest treat, the Wuv You canister, full of yummy treats. I haven’t yet told Jones, so shh! Let’s keep this between us, shall we? But do tell your friends. To enter to win this all natural, all US raised and produced treat, just comment on today’s post. Monday I’ll use the random number generator to choose a winner. Two requirements (because eventually I have to tell Jones so they can ship):
- Must be a resident of the contiguous US to enter
- Must enter by midnight CST Sunday, 1/15/17
And don’t forget to enter the actual official giveaway. Click this sentence to get to the entry post.
Now scoot! You have two amazing treats to try to win! It’ll make your dog smile if you do. Naturally.
Spreading the good chews …
Flea