A New Wenzler

We've made a new addition to the Wenzler Family! After a couple of years of talking non-stop about wanting a miniature schnauzer, Keith FINALLY got one today. A few weeks ago, we decided that the time was right and we filled out an application with a schnauzer rescue that serves most of the southeastern states. A couple days later, there was a phone interview and about a week and a half after that, we had someone come for a "home visit". Then, we were just waiting for a match.

The dog had a few criteria to meet. Keith wanted "a smaller, athletic dog that could jump in and out of the car, go on moderate hikes, and be a companion for our family". Keith's number one requirement was for a "handsome" male dog. This meant that he should have a docked tail and "natural" (un-clipped) ears that fell forward and not off to side all crazy ("bat ears"). Mini schnauzers come in a few different colors; traditional salt & pepper, black, and white. I have also heard of a rare chocolate mini schnauzer. Our preference was for a black or salt & pepper one. We also, obviously, needed a dog that would be good around small children, cats, and other dogs. 

So, we were waiting. For less than a week. *Some* of us were waiting more patiently than others of us. We got an email on Friday that there were a couple possible matches in Florida and Keith was ready all weekend to travel. I think he checked his phone every ten minutes to see if there was a new email.

Then, at 5:30 this morning, Keith saw an add in the paper.

SCHNAUZER MINATURE

male, 6 mos old, white,

house broke, very loving,

to loving home, $275 cash only

Hmmm... white?

I went back to bed and Keith waited all the way until 8:58 to call. The lady called him back a little before 10:00. She had a good answer to all of his questions. The number one question (I'm sure you have the question) was "why are you rehoming this dog?". Her answer was that she is ill and is having a difficult time caring for him. She thought it was not fair to the dog to keep him.

So, we drove up to meet him. About an hour and fifteen minutes away. I knew before we left that we weren't going home without this dog.

The lady brought him out and he was very shy. He hid behind Francis and seemed very timid. She assured us that he was usually quite active and interactive. He was obviously very bonded with his mama and I felt bad that we were taking him away from all he's ever known. We visited with the dog some more and asked a few more questions and made the deal. We were probably there for a total of 30 minutes.

I took a picture of his first house as we drove away.

Poor guy was pretty nervous at first.

He eventually settled in for the ride back home.

During the drive we settled on the name Whiskey. Keith had decided on a name for his mini schnauzer a while back, but it didn't seem to suit a white dog. I suggested Moonshine, but it seemed to maybe be a mouthful and since moonshine is a form of whiskey, we went with Whiskey. I guess "Moonshine" is his first name? lol.

Once home, Whiskey enjoyed exploring his new backyard.

He was still pretty timid. He wouldn't come to us and actually shied away when we approached him. If we managed to catch him, he was very content to snuggle in our laps. But then we'd put him down and it would be a chasing game again.

Later in the evening, after the kids were in bed, he took a nice little nap on my lap and then spent some time bounding around the living room and kitchen and actually came to us some.

I think, in a few weeks, he will be just fine!

Labor Day Weekend 2012

If you've been following my blog for a while, then you know we always go home to Alabama for my mom's birthday at the end of August. Last year, it slid to the following weekend, Labor Day weekend, because it made more sense.

We left Thursday morning (after Etta's sleep study) and got there around 4:00 in the afternoon. The last couple hours were rough for poor Daniel. He was DONE! We made a couple stops so we could stretch our legs.

When we pulled in at the house (still in the car), Etta excitedly shouted "Nanana!". This is what she calls my mom (she usually adds the extra "na") and she knew exactly where we were! My mom wasn't home yet, but it was great to see MY Nana. She cracks me up because she ALWAYS calls everyone to let them know I'm home. She called my mom (who was on her way home). She called my Aunt Tammie and then insisted I tell her hello (even though I was running around chasing kids because we hadn't gone to get the baby gates yet and Keith was busy unloading the car. lol). THEN, she called Bill. Who was standing in the kitchen. About thirty feet away. Bah Hahahaha!

We took it easy on that first night. Etta played dress-up with my mom's shoes and Daniel played with Nana's cat, Oliver.

(Who gave us this doll? It's her absolute favorite now and it's DIRTY and kinda wanting to fall apart and I need back-ups and I can't find them in stores or through a Google search. Which leads me to believe it *may* have come from Panama? The tag on her butt says "Happy House")

 

We continued to take it easy on Friday morning. Kimi had to work and Mom and Bill had a few errands to run. Keith and I took the kids to Wal-Mart because we forgot Etta's Puddle Jumper. All of the pool toys and such were being clearanced out since it's the end of the summer, but we managed to find a generic one (It ended up doing the job, but not well). After we got home, Daniel and I took a nap and Keith and Etta went swimming.

My step-brother, Adam's kids, Whit and Kessler, arrived around 4:00 or so. They immediately wanted to be measured and wanted to make sure Etta and Daniel were also measured. Then, they spent the afternoon playing and getting reacquainted.

 

Peeking in at Nana...

 

All of my kids love this air vent! (I can't seem to find it, but I have a very similar photo of Etta doing this with this exact same air vent)

 

Umm... Grandfather, WHY are you wearing a bow?

Adam and his Kim arrived around 7:00. Just in time to tell Etta and Daniel good night. My sister, Deanne, and her husband, Todd, arrived around 10:00. I stayed up visiting with Todd on the deck under the Blue Moon while everyone else was in bed. I was exhausted, but glad I had the chance to spend some time with my Toddroe.

Saturday was spent visiting and playing hard and swimming/JUMPING in the pool.

Adam and his crew left in the early afternoon on Saturday. But not before we took some group photos!

Tammie and Jeanne arrived in time for my mom's birthday dinner. We had put the kids in bed at about 6:30 because Etta said she was ready to go "nite nite" as soon as she finished dinner. But an hour and a half later, she was still rolling around in her bed and I did something I NEVER do. I let her come back out. She was so excited to be downstairs again. She told everyone "Hiiiiee!" when she saw them. It was nice that she ended up being there to sit with us as the adults ate dinner and to help sing "Happy Birthday" to my mom. She was extra happy that she got to eat cake. I bet she thinks that we have parties with cake every night after she goes to bed!

(Photography by Todd Milne)

Sunday turned out to be the best, most laid-back day. After brunch everyone changed into their suits and got in the pool.

 

When Etta gets excited, her whole body tenses up like this (note her feet and her hands). She has done this since she was an itty bitty thing.

We wore the kids out pretty well and they both went down for a LONG nap. While they napped, we hung around the pool.

 

I put these next two in because Karma looks like she suddenly turned into Cujo. lol.

The chair race in the pool was pretty funny. The rules were that you had to move the chair from one end to the other without touching the bottom with your feet. The pool is deepest in the middle and shallowest on the end by the lounge chairs.

Kimi left sometime that afternoon to head to Santa Rosa/ Rosemary Beach to start a new job the next day.

(photo: Todd Milne)

 

I can't show you the photo just before this one, but the reaction photos are too good not to share.

 

Bye Kimi!

We eventually woke the kids up because it was nearly 5:00 (!!!!). Etta got back in the pool for a bit, but spent most of the rest of the evening chilling on the couch.

(photo: Todd Milne)

 

We got up pretty early on Monday and got on the road for the long drive back to Tennessee. It was worth it, though! We had a great visit with everyone!

Sushi and Ferris

(Photo: Todd Milne)