adoption

I don't remember if I had hurt my shoulder muscle again or if Bobby was sick, but I do know we had three Belarussian kids inside and my brother-in-law was at the house helping out.  He finished and headed home, but then quickly returned.  When I went outside to meet him, he laughingly said, "I know the last thing you want or need is more work, but there's a mother dog with five puppies, still nursing that have been put out on the road just a few steps past your property line.  They look like beagles.  I told him I would go take care of them, and he grinned.  He had them in the back of the truck. We gave away three puppies, the mother ran off, and Lucy and Linus became a delight to watch (and an aggravation to see all their destruction).  For the last three years, whether it be flower pots they emptied and chewed up, to hiding in the van and chewing off the arm rests on chairs, they've enjoyed life with us.  Sometimes a little too much.  But since we've added chickens within the last 16 months, they've acquired a thirst for the hunt.  We were accustomed to finding moles, rats, and birds in the driveway, as well as half-eaten pears, apples, and pecans. (They didn't care for grapes.) But chickens and geese became a diferrent matter entirely.
So today with sad hearts but knowing what was the best (we hope!) for everyone, we gave Lucy & Linus up for adoption.  I know they'll enjoy being petted by children (especially Linus) and having someone to run with (specifically Lucy).  They'll like having a place where they can run, in the country, where there are no chickens or geese to get them in trouble.  I like the fact that the family is also a Peanuts fan and knew where their names originated. And I hope their next 13 years are as wonderful as their first three. So farewell my pups.  You were the cutest dogs I've ever had.