Just in case anyone might be considering adopting a dog in the near future, read on...
I just thought I'd share some of our wonderful adventures with Jake, our 9 month old golden retriever.

Last week, I foolishly decided to take a shower while the kids were awake, thinking "What could possibly happen in 10 min.?" Well, while I savored the luxury of a shower, havoc was just waiting to pounce. As I stepped out of the shower I thought I heard the kids running downstairs; "Better hurry and dry off, I thought." I decided against getting dressed when I heard Sarah's screams and ran down the stairs in a towel, only to witness the most bizarre sight. The kids were indeed running through the house, but they were chasing Jake, who was (I never thought this was even possible until this very moment) peeing while running through the house.

Now, Jake (who I believe had planned to execute his daring escape the very moment I stepped into the shower) for some reason decided that it would be okay to urinate in our living room. Well, Sarah, being the astute young girl that she is, knew that this was unacceptable so she began yelling "Wrong" at Jake. Her screams then brought Radley (who had decided to wash the car instead of watching his sister) running back into the house with a Windex bottle in hand. Jake, who was obviously frightened, bolted through the house while the kids gave chase. It was very easy to find the distinct path that he took through the house as he left a trail of urine through 3 rooms, a hallway, one couch, one rug and (I swear this is the truth) two bags of gifts that he apparently jumped over in his effort to escape. Don't worry, I don't plan on giving anyone the gifts anymore, somehow I don't think they would be appreciated.

And, if that adventure isn't enough to give anyone pause before buying a new puppy, then perhaps you might want to contact me regarding Jake's latest misdeed. In consideration for those who have weak stomaches, I won't go into detail on this one but lets just say that Jake has been supplementing his diet with our playground rubber chips. And, while it's not as gross as Sarah mistaking rabbit droppings for pebbles, it is indeed gross and not a story for those prone to gagging.

Well, gotta go the house is much too quiet...

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ROFL!!! Hysterical! Having a 12 month old golden myself, I understand! Gracie's joy in life to to snatch something and run, knowing the kids will gave chase! LOL Her most recent find was 2 $1 bills on the table. She chewed them to pieces-- think the bank will still take them when I tape them back together???

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Forgiveness is love in its most noble form. -Anonymous

I knew there would be wild adventures with a puppy so we adopted an older girl, she plays, when she's in the mood anyway. She defends our yard from those terrible squirrels who i think come in yard just when they feel she's going to want out into the yard. She doesnt like to stay in the yard she's declared herself a house only dog, outside is just for potty breaks. And we actually didnt pick her, she picked me, she sat with me on the couch and fussed whenever another dog came near me. if I go to bed she's there beside me, if i sit in the recliner she's taing up the foot rest part, i go to the kitchen shes there.... dh and the kids tease that I have 2 shadows a black and a white, you just see the white more.

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Books just wanna be FREE! See what I mean at:
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OMG - that is so "Jake". We can leave plates of food on the counter and he won't bother them, but he can't resist any opportunity to 'steal' dishtowels off of the counter, knowing that the kids will always give chase. Only, one time the dishtowel that he stole had my full coffee cup on top of it; it scared the beegeebers outta him when the cup shattered and splashed hot coffee everywhere. He didn't steal towel for a few weeks after that....

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Ah, puppies, I love them. I've only had one and when he passed I adopt "older" dogs. But the chewed bills (yes the bank will take them if you have I believe two thirds of the bill); ruined bras and books (a first edition of "Lonesome Dove")and so on. The memory that stays in my mind about him though is when he would curl up and sleep in a decorative bowl on the bottom of the book shelf, so adorable.

Please write more about Jake's adventures!!

We have a 13 month old golden retriever and I can relate about the over mischievousness. He is calmer now, but the first months were daunting. He chewed more shoes than I care to mention, and has a hankering for underwear and socks. He has even eaten them, and thank the Lord, he passed them. He has done this several times and has scared all of us like no other pet has. It doesn't take long to forgive him though with those adorable sad eyes. Sometimes I have to tell myself to enjoy the puppytime as it doesn't last long. Keep telling yourself that!

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

Our 4 month old Bloodhound pup snatched a dirty sock and dropped it into my coffee cup the other day. I think it was meant as a present.

Rebecca

Thank you for sharing! I have a Shih Tzu (haute girl) and a Basset Hound. Anyone who has ever owned a Basset knows they are like living in a cartoon! Some days he is lazy and just wants to eat and sleep - and other days - look out! Keep the stories coming.

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Mom to 3 - one with 2 legs and 2with 4!

I have a 3 month old black lab........ we got her when she was 5 weeks...... she is a ball of fire.... loves socks....... she is house trained.......and loves to chew, her chew toys are everywhere!............ its worse then a 2 yr old. She is sleeping right now, but in an hour she will be on the deck running circles...... she has her own dogging door attached to our sliding glass door. Daisy also has a ball that lights up, when she goes outside at night, she takes that ball with her, all ya see is the ball going around and around the deck.

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"Madison AnnMarie " 6/13/2008

http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=8652d1ea.pbr

http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=adbcb309.pbr

We have an approx. 7 mo old Choc Lab pup, Blazer. I was at my kids jr high the first week in Sept when a boy came into the office with him wanting to call his dad at home cause he thought his dad would let him keep the pup. The dad said no deal and we told the boy to leave the dog and he would be taken care of. An aid took him outside and when I left the poor little fella was running around the parking lot and I was afraid he was going to get hit. Hubby said he was too young to find his way back home so I brought him home, ran an ad and no one responded. I told my hubby, Lord help you cause when you see how beautiful he is you're gonna want to keep him. He is such a ball of energy. Blazer wants to be around us all the time, he's more of a house dog than outside. So much fun. Right now he's laying on the La-Z-Boy footrest with hubby.