Saturday, April 17, 2021

Welcome Home Zoey!

It is amazing how something so small can bring such a big smile and joy to someone but I had not even met Zoey yet and I knew I loved her. Not because she is cute as could be or because she looks at me like I mean the world to her, hopefully that will come later. I already love her just because I can see and hear the joy she is bringing into Barb’s life.

I know that some of you may find this hard to believe but Barb does not have it easy. One would think being married to me is enough for her but I will reluctantly admit that maybe, just maybe I can be a handful at times and she needs a little bundle of joy in her life. Since losing Daisy, we have both felt an emptiness. We still miss her every day and look at her picture often. If she could read this we would want her to know that Zoey is not here to replace her, that is impossible and not what we are trying to do but Barb is ready for a Zoey in her life right now. 

To be honest when we first decided to start looking we were not totally ready for a new pet. But knowing the search would take weeks or even months we started the search. The first step was finding reputable breeders. Sadly there are a lot of scammers out there who prey on people looking for dogs. You need to do your research before sending a deposit. There are horror stories out there where people have sent deposits, flown out to pick up their puppy only to find out it was a fake address and the puppy never existed. Luckily for us Barb found Foster Lake Frenchies. Amy and Eric were over the top with emails, pictures, videos, posts on Facebook and even Facetiming with us more than once. It did not matter how many questions we had, they answered each and every one of them. We felt very confident that we were dealing with not only a reputable breeder but one that loves and cares for their pets as well. 

Barb flew from Rapid City to Portland (via Dallas) last Thursday to pick her up. There were more direct flights with other airlines but due to their pet restrictions she chose American Airlines which meant going through Dallas. Delta required pets to be 9 weeks, United was 16 weeks. American only required pets to be 8 weeks so American it was!

After checking into her hotel, she anxiously awaited the arrival of Zoey. Amy, Eric and their daughter arrived with Zoey. Barb was going to get some pictures of everyone but Zoey was their favorite of the litter and it was an emotional exchange. When Barb sent me this picture my heart burst with joy, just seeing the smile on Barb’s face and the sparkle in her eyes. Worth every penny!

Amy and Eric even brought a little "Puppy Pack" which included everything she needed to get Zoey home. 

After they left. Barb took Zoey to her room where they played for hours and got to know each other. Barb of course had to dress her up in her piggy pajamas!

She is saying "Seriously, piggy pajamas?

She said Zoey just zoomed around the room, especially liking the mirror which I am sure she thought was one of her pup mates! There are 2 videos in this post, all of which are very short. 

The next day they took the shuttle to the airport for the flight from Portland to Dallas. She had Zoey in her dog carrier which fit under the seat in front of her. Her connection in Dallas was tight with just 50 minutes between flights so when they announced a 2 hour delay before even leaving Portland she knew she was in trouble. She called and I looked for other options but there just was not any so she just had to go with the flow. They finally boarded and had another delay before finally taking off.
Tucked in under the seat

She said the plane was packed but Zoey was an angel on the flight, just staring out of the carrier and not making a peep.

When they got to Dallas she found out there her connection to Rapid City had also been delayed and was still there! Talk about luck! This was a smaller plane with two seats on either side of the aisle. Barb’s seat mate was a women who grew up on a ranch about 2 miles from our place, what are the odds of that!?!?!

In the Jeep on the drive home

It had snowed (again) since both of us had left so there was 6” of fresh snow on the ground. I don’t think Zoey had ever seen snow before and was tearing around it like crazy!

Barb slept on the floor with her the first night fearful that Zoey would jump off the bed and break a leg or something. That had to be good for her back! 

Crashing with momma on the floor

Now the fun begins.  House breaking, potty training....Hope we get that pretty well under control before our flooring is installed! Barb says she tears around the house like a wild thing and is already trying to chew on everything in sight.

 Luckily our house is pretty much puppy proof so there is not a lot to chew on or so we think, I am betting Zoey will show us otherwise in the next few days! 

I will chew up your house!

For those of you who missed how we came to decide on getting a Frenchie, you can click this link and catch up with this post right here.

34 comments:

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    1. But what does Dino say? That is what inquiring minds want to know!

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  2. Zoey is so cute and I'm sure she's going to provide a LOT of entertainment for you two!

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    1. Barb is laughing constantly at Zoey's antics. I cannot wait to meet her in a few days!

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  3. She is very adorable and will no doubt bring lots of joy to your home. Will you keep the name Zoey, or is that the name you gave her? I love that name, but of course I have a daughter Zoe. :)

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    1. That's right! We named her Zoey, her name was Lyra up to a few weeks ago.

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  4. Puppies are so fun and loving. Had Indy on my lap for a bit a few nights ago and gave her a hug, and had my arm/hand between her front legs rubbing her neck and she actually gave me a hug back! Never had that happen before, and the next night she did it again! Last night I whispered out loud, "Love you Skruffy...thanks for sending Indy into our lives, it sure helps!"

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    1. Bittersweet isn't it? We are so happy to have Zoey in our lives. Now if we can just get through this first year!

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  5. Nothing like a darling puppy to lift one's spirits and bring on laughter!

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  6. Oh, man....Zoey is great! Gotta love that smile on Barb’s face. :). Enjoy!

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  7. Congratulations on your new family member.

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    1. Thanks Allen, we sure are happy to have another member to add to our pack!

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  8. Looks like Zoey will fit right in. Congratulations Barb, she's a cutie.
    It'll be fun to see how she reacts when Jim and Dakota return.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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    1. Barb and Zoey are actually going to join Dakota and I up here this week. Should be interesting with us in the truck camper for the next few weeks!

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  9. She is absolutely adorable. We wish you wonderful times together. Looking forward to all the antics she gets into! ❤🐭

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    1. From the looks of it there will be plenty of antics to blog about in the coming weeks!

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  10. Congrats!! She is adorable. Can't wait to see you pushing her around in a stroller!!

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    1. Maybe Greg and I could go on a double stroller hike next time we see you guys! That would be totally manly!

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  11. You can already tell she's going to be a handful. What a cutie patootie!!! Lots of character there!!! I count six toys in one picture, so I'm sure she will have plenty to keep her occupied and away from the couch!!! Have fun ... post lots of pics!!!

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    1. Barb says she is already quite the handful, exploring and trying to get into everything. She is already trying to climb the stairs so she had to block those off!

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  12. Zoey is adorable! I love the pic of Barb holding Zoey, you can see the love already. How fun you will all be together!

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    1. That is an awesome picture isn't it? It is my new screensaver!

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  13. OMG... the jammies! And the hopping! And the head shaking!! So much adorableness all in one post. But yeah, she's gonna wreck your house. :) LOLOLOLOL!

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    1. She is trying her hardest. Barb has to watch her like a hawk. Anything left on the ground goes into mouth. Bugs, rocks, deer poop, you name it, she tries to eat it!

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  14. Congratulations! Zoey will be spoiled, I can see it already from the outfits she is wearing. Very cute and cuddly. Looking forward to many photos!!

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    1. She is still getting used to the outfits. When Barb puts one on her she just stands there for a minute or two and finally starts to walk around. So far she will not run with them on.

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  15. Zoey looks lovely as does the proud new mom. By now you will have had time with you new fur baby and come to love her with all your heart. Our pups are eating everything. They are even aerating the lawn by digging out the grass, eating it and then the dirt.
    Sorry this is late. I can only reply on Chrome and started this days ago but never finished it.

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    1. So good to see that you can comment now! Zoey seems to eat pretty much everything that she runs across so you have to watch her like a hawk! I have been with her 4 days now and she is very entertaining!

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  16. Cute.... Totally what we went through with our new pup, who is now 11 months old. Other than the airplane ride. What's strange is even though he bonded with Karen, having ridden in her lap on the way from the breeders, I often find him outside the door when I leave a room waiting for me. Or he will stop what he is doing and lay at my feet or jump in my lap. I think it's because we are both home with him all the time as we are both retired. Will be interesting to see if yours does the same. That first time they see a shadow, walk in the rain or snow, see wildlife and much more is fun.

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    1. So far Zoey is definitely Barb's dog as she stays with her pretty much 24/7. I only get to see her when I come in for lunch and at night. She is not afraid of me but does not snuggle up and sleep with me like she does with Barb.

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