Lucca

Lucca and Zeke

Lucca "bringer of life"

Well, I've gone and done it.... I got a new dog. I said I would wait... I truly intended to... but I just couldn't help it...

Long story short- Last Saturday, Hannah and I were out shopping. She begged me to stop in Petland (or Petco, Petsmart... one of those). I reluctantly let her drag me in. We checked out all of the various pets and then were leaving when a young couple came in with the biggest, fluffliest, prettiest puppy I'd ever seen. I had to take a closer look... I should have known better... I found out that the puppy was a 6 month old female Akita. After talking to the couple a bit further I was informed that because of their apartment lease, they couldn't keep this beautiful creature. How much were they selling her for, (I had to ask).... She was free.... What was her name (I had to ask), it was Lucca. For some oddball reason I had intended on naming my next female dog LuLu. That did it. Lucca, LuLu... It seemed like a divine set-up. I tried to call Keith, he was working in the yard so I couldn't reach him... I hesitated for a moment then I made a monumental impulsive decision (unusual for me). I brought Lucca home with me, without Keith's knowledge. It hit me on the way home that we were leaving on vacation the following week. What was I thinking! When I got home I left Hannah and Lucca in the car to go assess how unhappy Keith was going to be. Then I had a stroke of genius. I approached him with a, "Honey, please don't kill me, " to which he exclaimed, 'What'd you do, wreck the car?" I happily informed him (to his relief), no I hadn't wrecked the car... but I HAD brought home a dog. I think he was so relieved about the car that he had mercy on me.

Since then we've had time to be glad about my impulsive decision. Lucca is the sweetest little (big) girl. She's obedient, she doesn't chew. She's housebroken.. (except for getting excited when she first sees you and wetting the floor... we're working on that one)... But she is a blessing. And she's beautiful... and she's BIG! Ya'll know how I LOVE big dogs. The bigger the better in my book. The children have been over the moon about Lucca. It's helped ease their pain over Zoe. (Although she will NEVER be replaced!)

So there you have it. The story of our newest family member. Also we looked up the name Lucca online and found out that it is Italian for "Bringer of Life". We'll take that. After the difficult season we've had, and with our moving into this new season, could this be a physical sign of a spiritual truth? That God is bringing us out of the old, comfort-zones and into something new and unexpected.... with a... suddenly!

And Zeke loves her too. Which is fortunate because Nutty is MIA. Lucca came just in time! God's time- not mine (or Keith's :^).

God bless. Kayla

Zeke's gone Nutty!

Since Zoe's sad departure from this life this past Monday, Zeke has seemed lost and lonely. Without Zoe at his side, he hasn't bothered getting up to greet us all by himself at the door when we return. He hasn't been as playful or happy. The day after Zoe's death, I was trying to think of something that would cheer him up. While shopping at Target I ventured into the pet aisle and I found my answer... I knew Zeke had to have him. He cost more than the dog toys I usually get, but this one was made by the American Kennel Club so I hoped it had to be strong (we'll find out!). This new answer to Zeke's lonely problem came home with us and Zeke was immediately smitten. We named him Nutty. Of course Nutty the squirrel in no way replaces Zeke's best friend Zoe, but it has given him and us a little joy in our lives this week... Nutty squeaks. Zeke doesn't quite know what to make of that. He squeezes Nutty's tail between his teeth and seems surprised that Nutty cries out. At first this seemed to confuse Zeke. It's hilarious because he starts whining when Nutty squeaks... Like he's worried about him yet he can't help crushing him between his teeth! Now Zeke carries Nutty everywhere. He even insisted on taking him outside with him the other day. I was worried that Nutty would end up in the yard as an unrecognizable bit of mud covered fur like his other former "friends". But when Zeke was done with his business outside, he came scratching on the back door, proudly carrying Nutty in his mouth. He brings him in the chair with him and sits with him between his paws. Yesterday he came into my room looking anxious... He looked around the room, out the back door, in my closet, whining.... It broke my heart. "Are you looking for Zoe?" I asked. He heard Zoe's name and perked up... but then... he stumbled on Nutty... Then his tail started wagging... and he was frisky and happy again. So for now, Nutty is easing some of Zeke's pain... And Zeke's hilarious 'relationship' with Nutty is easing some of ours. And today when I returned home, there was Zeke, all by himself, dancing at the door to greet me! Yay! We're making progress. Here's a photo of Zeke and his new pal- Nutty.

God bless. Kayla