From chubby pup to teenager - my grand-dog is a big boy now!

Last spring my son, Jeff, and his family made the decision that the time was right to bring a new puppy into their life. About two years earlier, Angie Marie, their nearly sixteen year old dog passed away. All of them needed time to heal from the loss, especially Jeff who had raised Angie since she was four weeks old. After weeks of searching in local papers and on the Internet they found this little guy.

Cody meeting Josh for the first time, May 2008

It wasn't long before everyone decided that even though there were three children in the household, Cody needed a sibling, someone who looked like him - well, sorta. Word was put out at our local shelter for a puppy, hopefully a retriever mix - hopefully a female. Within weeks Holly, our shelter manager, called Jeff and told him of a puppy that was available but that she wouldn't be there long because she was so cute. Holly was right, she was cute. And, that is how Suzie entered into the mix and found her fur-ever home. Cody loved his little sister from the moment he set eyes on her and they have been inseparable ever since.

The thought of not being as close to her as possible just wasn't an option for Cody. He was in l♥ve with his little sister. Thankfully, Suzie took it all in stride and loved Cody right back, sharing her bed with him and giving him her h♥art.

Both pups grew over the summer into wonderful family companions who gave just as much love as they received. They went on hay rides (really) and to baseball games and wherever else the family could include their dogs. A very active life for a couple of dogs who became true family members.

The family noticed that Suzie was having trouble keeping up at times with her brother and with them. Concerned they took movies of Suzie when playing and running, taking Suzie and their videos to their veterinarian. Sadly, Suzie was diagnosed with canine myelopathy. At first heartbroken by the news, the family became educated about the disease. I asked them what they were going to do and the reply not only made me proud but brought tears to my eyes: "Mom, we adopted her. She's not going anywhere. We'll do what we have to do to make her happy and will adjust to her disability". (In another post I'll talk more about Suzie's disability and her disease.)

Cody grew and grew and grew. It seemed like in no time he was celebrating his first birthday. He went to obedience classes with his little sister, learned a myriad of fun tricks and behaviors. Whatever came his way as a challenge he took on with all four paws and a smile!

This past week Cody had his "big boy" operation marking another milestone in his life. Spay and neuter is a way of life for my family. This wonderful dog has traveled this past year from fat and chubby puppy, to big brother, to class clown and now has marked his milestone moment in time - his neuter.

I realize that not everyone is convinced that altering their companion animal is the right thing to do, but go to your local shelter and talk to them about how many animals they put to death because there are far too few homes for all of the abandoned, homeless or over-produced dogs and cats. And, if you are still not convinced, help them with euthanasia. Bring an animal out of its cage all happy with a waggling tail because he thinks he's going for a walk, hold him and watch the life pour out of his body, then put him in a pile with the others that died that day.

Dogs dig under fences and jump over them and chew through their leash. Cats slide out the door in a heartbeat. If not spayed or neutered they will happily add to the pet overpopulation - and when they finally make it back home (and hope they do) you will never know where they've been or what they've done. If you've read this far, I hope I've convinced at least one person to do the right thing for their pet and for all the others that don't need to be born.