Growing up, we had a family pet named Petula. She was so sweet and we loved her very much. But, we didn’t really know how to have a bulldog at that time. We kept her outside a lot and I recall her only ever having a few toys in her lifetime. She passed away when I was a freshman in college and we buried her in the flower bed where she used to like to spend her days lounging. I think about her a lot. I hope she has many friends, toys, snacks and a cushiony bed by the fireplace in Doggy Heaven.
You all know how clever our Cookie is. She is so full of personality and her eyes are so expressive. But did you know that she has expressive paws as well? Not like in a palm reading kind of way, but in a Koko, the gorilla, communicating kind of way. Read on.
Today Tim called me to tell me about an amazing thing that Cookie did at home. What do you think she did? Prove the existence of Big Foot? Crack the Davinci Code? Poop on command? No. She typed. She typed a note to her dad. It seems that little twinkle-toes was shuffling around the living room and inadvertently (or purposely) walked across Tim’s open laptop. He looked down and noticed that in the Google search field, Cookie had typed “Q?ARF.” I don’t know what Q? means, but I definitely know what ARF means. It means my bulldog is smarter than your honor student.
Oh Cookie! We love you too!
cute!
cuter!!
cutest!!!
One of Cookie’s favorite extra-curricular activities is hopping into the car-car and going to the Dog Park. Tim had a few weeks off from work to supervise a home improvement project going on in our backyard. Intermittently, he would take Cookie to romp around at Pt. Isabel. On this particular day, you can see that Cookie is all fired up because she knows that Dog Park=Frosty Paws. She’s already licking her chops!
Here is Cookie thinking to herself, “Oh boy, nobody’s here. More snacks for me!” Upon taking a closer glance, it appears that there really was nobody at Mudpuppy’s because it was closed for vacation! Even doggy groomers need some time off to pamper their own pooches. Oh no. Cookie looks disappointed but determined.
As some of you know, Cookie can be very defiant. She’s a girl who knows what she wants. And I guess what she wanted was to wait for the Mudpuppy’s staff to return from vacation!
Alas, in addition to her stubbornness, Our Girl is also impatient. So out to sea she ventures in search of activity, or mischief, in her case. In this picture below which I think is “suitable for framing” (or blogging), Cookie wonders, “Is it salmon season yet?”
Recently I was contacted by Patti Rungo, Cookie’s foster mom prior to us adopting her. She had some surprising news for us…Cookie’s daughter was now in rescue! We knew that Cookie had just had a litter before we met her last January (and possibly another one before), and I always wondered what her pups looked like. As you can see, little Miera, only 1 year old, is just as beautiful and precious as her mother. She has skin issues just like Cookie, and requires medication and regular medicated baths to keep her looking and feeling great. Her fur is a little sparse in this picture, but Patti and Michelle (another awesome BCA Rescue Network volunteer), have got her on the path to wellness. Another surprising thing is that this little baby is deaf. I have heard that a lot of white bulldogs are deaf, but I’m not sure why. Anyway, Miera’s previous owners did the right thing and surrendered her to Rescue and I just know that her forever family will find her soon! Just like we found our Cookie.
Here is a picture of Cookie’s bio when she was up for adoption.
I can’t believe Cookie has been in our lives for almost 10 months. I remember when I saw her picture above, I just had this feeling that she was the one for us! We expressed our interest in her right away. I couldn’t stop thinking about her all through the holidays. I loved her before I met her. I loved her so much that I cried when I learned that she had been adopted out to another family. But then, I received a call from Michelle and learned that Cookie’s first placement had not worked out and we were being given the opportunity to interview as her adoptive parents. The day we brought Cookie home was the very best day of my life. I feel like Cookie was the one who rescued us – she gave us a brand new view of what our life together as a family could be.
I have been thinking about Bulldog Rescue a lot these days. You know, for every sad story you hear of animal abuse, there is a happy one about an animal who has been saved and given the life and love she deserves. Thanks to all the “angels” who volunteer their time and resources to help these unfortunate babies. Cookie sends you wet, sloppy bulldog kisses!
…and she loves me! Isn’t she just the cutest bumblebee? Lucy, not to be outdone by Winston, has had some pretty spectacular Halloween costumes in the past. Here is her famed bumblebee costume from 2005. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. And then there was her little devil costume from 2006. In this situation, it was art imitating life. For those of you who don’t know, Lucy’s birthday is on October 31st. This year, she turns 5 years old.
Happy birthday, Miss Lucy! And who can forget the cowgirl from last year? Lucy looked pretty in pink, and Winston was beside himself just being in her mere presence. But, alas, he was lookin’ for love in all the wrong places. Don’t worry Winston, you’ll always be my little cowpoke. All these awesome doggy costumes were purchased at Old Navy Dog Supply, Cookie’s canine atelier of choice. Woof!
