Five Reasons I Celebrate Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

"Now is a good time  for a walk"

My shelter dog has brought a great deal of joy into my life and has altered my life in ways I couldn't have imagined.

Top 5 reasons I celebrate my shelter dog:

1. Parks are no longer the domain of families and kids, I've developed a greater appreciation for the use of parks and green spaces.
2. My neighbors all know us and stop to chat, which provides us a greater sense of community.
3. Nothing beats playing soccer in the rain with my dog, while normal people are warm and dry indoors.
4. Squirrel hunting is an activity I never thought I would enjoy. 
5. Nobody thinks I'm totally crazy when a talk about "dogs."

Happy Gotcha Day Marley

I can't believe I've shared my life with Marley for three years, unbelievable. Marley is now about 4ish and as feisty as the day I picked her up at the shelter.

Marley doing what she does best.

My live is so much fuller with Marley as a companion.

Happy Gotcha Day

Yesterday, while everybody else celebrated Valentines day, Marley and I celebrated her Gotcha Day. We had a great day that included all her favorite activities. We started the day by going to agility class, which of course she loved. We visited with her friend Sadie and her new little puppy sister. Where I discovered Marley is not very fond of puppies. She was very tolerant of the puppy, however she didn't want to play with the little pip-squeak. (I don't have any pictures because Sadie is deathly afraid of the camera). This was followed up by a relaxing trip to a park with a nice big soccer field.

Marley proceeded to do her favorite thing ever! Roll in the smelliest thing on the field.

"Umm...smelly spot"

I don't necessarily like the way she smells after a good roll in the grass. However, she looks so ecstatic while rolling, I don't have the heart to make her stop. Her expressions just crack me up. After such a busy day, I offered to get her her very own puppy!

She refused to acknowledge my presence until I promised I was just kidding.

Marley's gotcha day

Yesterday was Marley's gotcha day and I felt it was a perfect opportunity for me get her the coolest gift ever.

Yep, bows for her ears

I refuse to acknowledge your presence

I thought the bows looked lovely, however she was just not that into it.

Did I just hear you say playdate?
You will remove these torture devises from my ears!

She also got a lovely valentine bandanna.

She forgave me when I drove her to play with her friends: Tank, Sadie and Henry. They had a great time chasing nothings in the back yard. This last year, my first as a dog owner has been the best ever!