A couple days a week, I babysit for a friend.  (And Ty is currently walking around in my sneakers - pretty funny!  I've been doing it for a couple of months now.  There have never been any problems - until now.

A couple of weeks ago, they got a new puppy.  I have only been over once since then (before today).  That day Bella, the new puppy, was a bit hesitant at first but quickly warmed up t o me.  She did end up in her crate for part of the day.  They are working on house training her - but she was already crate trained.  I had taken her outside a couple of times so she could potty, but she wouldnt.  So that meant into the crate because she hadnt gone yet. 

Today, when I arrived Tucker - the lab they have had for quite a while - greeted me at the door like he always does.  He gets excited when people come over because he loves attention.  Bella came over and greeted me also - but still a bit hesitant.  She seemed completely fine though.  Before Jen left, she asked Bella if she wanted to go in her crate.  Of course Bella looked at Jen like 'are you stupid' and I said it was fine. 

Well since Jen left, Bella and Tucker spent most of their time upstairs.  That is common for Tucker so that he cant be tortured by Ty.  Bella gets really excited when she hears any car doors or anything.  Tucker pretty much knows the sound of Jen and Derek's cars - so that is the only time he gets excited.  So Bella has been downstairs a few times - because of neighbors getting home and whatnot. 

Each time Bella had been downstairs, she acted afraid of me.  She wouldnt let me get within arms reach and she would growl at me if I was looking at her. 

When I asked Ty if he wanted to use the potty, he of course ignored me.  (They are working on potty training, so far he has had absolutely zero interest with me.)  Tucker, gets excited when he hears 'potty' because he likes to go outside.  So he came running down the stairs.  Bella followed him.  She still wouldnt let me get near her. 

Finally when I was scratching Tucker's ears and giving him some attention, Bella came close.  She was still very hesitant though.  When I finally got the chance, I grabbed her harness.  She tried to pull away and then just resisted me.  Taking her outside to relieve herself was obviously not going to happen - so I pulled her back to her cage and put her in there.  (Followed by walking back into the kitchen and stepping in the trail of pee that she left.  Followed by cleaning it up. ) 

She has been barking pretty constantly ever since.  There are some breaks in it - but I think she is begging to get out.  (And really I cant blame her.)

I had asked the first time I met her if she had been abused.  The place they got her from (I believe it was the ASPCA) said that she had pretty much always been at the shelter.  They also said that she was 4 months old.  The vet said she was probably 6-7 (based on her teeth).  So she wasnt abused that we know of.  But she definitely flinches if you move quickly and she doesnt trust me at all. 

I dont want her to be stuck in her cage all day every time I am here to watch Ty.  But I wont fight her every time I am here either.  And I definitely will not deal with her growling at me all of the time. 

Any suggestions? 

I stole this from Erin. I was thoroughly amused, so I figured I would do it myself.


1. Where/how did you meet: After I came back from Italy, I was living in an apartment.  I needed more than just my on campus job to pay all of the bills, so I ended up finding a job working at a local bank.  Jim worked there also.  I usually (in the beginning) was scheduled at 4 and he would be there until 5:15.  So he was one of the first people I got to know there.

2. How long have you known each other: Almost 5 years.

3. How long after you met did you start dating: Technically?  About 5 months.  But we started spending a lot of time together outside of work a bit before that. 

4. How long did you date before you were engaged: 3 weeks shy of 2 years.

5. How long was your engagement: 3 weeks.  We wanted to get married!  (Everyone thought it was because I was pregnant.  I think they have figured out they were wrong!)

6. How long have you been married: 2 and a half years.

7. What is your anniversary: June 1, 2007

8. How many people came to your wedding reception: The dinner afterwards?  There was 18 of us.  The reception a few months later?  I dont even know.  35 or so?

9. What kind of cake did you serve: We didnt, per se.  The desserts at dinner that night were tiramisu and cheesecake.  At the reception in September, Jim's Aunt brought her amazing pound cake. 

10. Where was your wedding: Green Lane Park.

11. What did you serve for your meal: We went to Maggiano's.  We ate, and ate, and ate!  I dont even remember what all of the things we had were!  At the 'reception' it was picnic food - hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, etc.

12. How many people were there in your bridal party:  Just me and Jim!

13. Are you still friends with them all: I had better be!

14. Did you or your spouse cry during the ceremony: I did a bit.

15. Most special moment of your wedding day: I think the moment I remember the most is when I first got to the park and was walking over to the pavilion.  It was the first time I had seen his tux, and the first time he had seen my dress.  I walked up to him and was about to kiss him.  My friend Jacqi yelled "you cant kiss, you arent married yet!"  So I lowered my head a bit and he kissed my forehead.

16. Any funny moments: Everyone met at the park - I had driven my mom's car.  Jim had his Mustang.  So after the ceremony, everyone drove themselves to dinner.  It was pouring down rain by that time - thankfully we had missed most of that at the park!  I was standing out front of the building waiting for Jim - because he dropped me off by the door.  I was also watching for other people to show up.  Someone walked past me and asked if I had just gotten married.  I responded yes.  Then after they walked away, I said aloud "the next person that asks, I am just going to say 'no, I wear this for fun'".  There were 2 guys smoking not far from me and they just started dying of laughter.  I didnt even realize anyone else was around.  It was pretty amusing!

17. Any big disasters: Big?  Not really - but there were plenty of small things.  Both of my parents, Jacqi, and Jenny were all meeting me at my house so they could follow me to the park since no one knew where it was.  (And I drove my mom's car.)  Jenny showed up late.  As we were leaving (and I was already annoyed because we were running late!), I was cursing to myself because turning left onto the road sucks - especially when 3 cars are supposed to be following you.  I had pulled out a bit, but there ended up not being enough space (stupid trees blocking the view!).  So I looked behind me and went to back up a bit.  I had looked for my Dad's car, and there was plenty of space.  Problem was that they had let Jacqi in front of them.  So I ended up bumping into her.  Thankfully, no damage to either car.  There was one other incident, but that is detailed a bit farther down...

18. Where did you go on your honeymoon: I always say Europe.  We went to Amsterdam and Germany for 2 weeks later that year.  But it was planned before the wedding!

19. How long were you gone: 2 weeks

20. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change: I would tell my sister Debbie to call out sick from work!  I loved my wedding, but she still regrets not being able to make it.

21. What side of the bed do you sleep on: currently, the left side, but it changes sometimes.

22. What size is your bed: Queen

23. Greatest strength as a couple: The ability to laugh.  We laugh at ourselves all of the time.

24. Greatest challenge as a couple: Dealing with family.

25. Who literally pays the bills: Me

26. What is your song: We really dont have one.  But there is a song by Keith Anderson called Every Time I Hear Your Name  that we both agreed when we first started dating reminded us of our relationship.

27. What did you dance your first dance to: As crazy as this sounds, we have never danced together.  I have never seen Jim dance. Period.

28. Describe your wedding dress: Very simple.  It had small embroidered flower details.  It had a relatively high 'boat-type' neck with inch wide straps.  I fell in love with it as soon as I put it on!

29. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding: So here is the other disaster story.  I hadnt gotten any.  I didnt really care.  Jacqi decided I needed flowers.  So earlier that day, she stopped at a flower shop and asked them about a bouquet.  At first they were confused about her getting it that day.  They put together a really cute small bouquet.  If I remember correctly, the flowers were purple and an salmon/orange color. Very pretty.  When I went upstairs to get dressed, it got left out on the table.  Thor did what he does best to flowers - shredded them!  So I still had no flowers!

30. Are your wedding bands engraved? nope - good thing too because Jim is on his second one! 


Thats all for now.  I have amused myself enough!