The Fennel Litter

Let me be the first to say that while it may seem that Matt and I are just crazy cat people, we really are crazy ANIMAL people. We love our pets.  We love farm animals. We love wild animals. Deer. Orcas. Turkeys. Elephants. Even the cute little chipmunks that live near our back porch.

Vegans and Peta Activists ---- you never would have guessed that we love animals, right?

Anywho - Our pets, in particular, are our family. They are our furkids. They have just as many presents under the tree on Christmas morning as any other (human) child does. We throw them birthday parties. They are loved. They are spoiled. They make our lives WHOLE.

And, with the recent purchase of our new home, I started to get the baby itch. Human baby? No way jose! Puppy baby!

We were certain that we wanted to rescue because we knew the horrible sad stories of abandoned dogs in shelters that were neglected, abused, starved, and need I go on???

BY THE WAY, if everyone who wanted a dog rescued one instead of going through a breeder OR puppy mill -- then there would be ZERO dogs in shelters. ADOPT DON'T SHOP!

I can't believe it was almost five years ago that we rescued Ernie and Lulu.

We rescued both babies from PAWS adoption agency in Rockford, IL

Aren't they so cute!

(I drink glasses of wine bigger than she was!)

And we were able to fatten up Ernie really quick and raise Lulu to believe that she RULES this household. (which she does, really).

Can you say spoiled?!

So right after we had an accepted offer on our condo, I started to look on petfinder.com for dogs in the Madison area that needed rescuing. And let me just say, that if it were up to me...... we'd have an entire shelter in our new home. I just don't understand the heartless, cruel way people abandon their pets. They are family, ya'll!

I quickly stumbled onto a little guy named "Lars" who had the markings of what seemed to be a rottweiler.  Although, they didn't exactly know what kind of dog he was because him and his litter were dropped off at a police station (in North Carolina) when they were only days old without their mom.

SAD, RIGHT!??

So the second I saw and read his story, I WAS OBSESSED. I needed him. I wanted him. He was mine. And I would have done anything in the world to have the guarantee that he could come home with us. I put in a "request more info" form. I emailed the shelter. And I finally called. Because I just couldn't wait any longer! (It had been like.......... 10 minutes).

I got in touch with Anne - the President of Adopt Me Rescue in Madison -- and told her how much I was in love with the little guy. She said she would get me in touch with the foster mom on Facebook and Anne could come do our homestudy within the week. PS: I listed Carmy and Courtney Bumber as references and both of them told her that I treat my cats like kids...... She probably thought I was nuts!

Anne connected me to Tina (the puppies' foster mom who BOTTLE FED them since the day they were found at the police station -- with their eyes still closed and everything!!!!) and we haven't gone 8 hours without messaging each other for weeks. You are amazing, Tina!

Through our several conversations, I learned that none of the other puppies had people waiting for them once they arrived in Madison. It broke my heart and I SOMEHOW convinced Matt to let us get TWO puppies instead of one.

Bring in Panther.

Isn't he adorable!??????!

(We knew we always wanted two dogs, but originally planned on getting one -- and adjusting with that puppy -- then getting a second). WHY NOT JUST GET BOTH AT ONCE, RIGHT?!?!

 

LOOK AT THAT BELLY!

AND PANTHER'S BLUE EYES!

We couldn't wait to meet them!!!!

 

In order to get to Madison, the poor babies had to deal with a super long road trip from North Carolina to Wisconsin on the weekend of September 20th. Tina and I were a bundle of nerves and I CANNOT imagine how hard it was for Tina and her family to say goodbye to the beautiful babes.

 

Transport

Matt and I were able to meet the boys the Monday they arrived in Madison. The second we saw them, we were in love! They were SO much smaller than what we imagined. Seriously -- like the size of a bunny.

We stayed for awhile, watched them wrestle in the grass, and log roll down the hill in Anne's front yard. They reminded me so much of Fat, little, Rollie Pollies.

In the midst of our cray cray moving weekend, I drove to Anne's to pick up the babies. We were so anxious to get them home!

They napped in their crate the entire drive back to Edgerton. Once home, we started the transition of introducing the boys to Ernie and Lulu. For weeks prior to this, I read and read and READ about the best ways to introduce older cats to new puppy family members. I called the vet. I talked to an animal trainer AND behaviorist. I did my research, needless to say.

 Reason being: Matt and I were so worried that the puppies would somehow change Ernie and Lulu. We didn't want to lose the cats' adorable personalities (like how Lulu always has to be in the same room as us, and how Ernie is always, always the little spoon while watching TV) and I couldn't handle the thought of it possibly happening.

What if Lulu ignored us? What if Ernie was so pissed he never wanted to be the little spoon anymore?!

These were SERIOUS concerns. No freaking joke. So, I did all this research and learned that the best way to introduce adult cats to new puppies is:

1) Crate the puppy in a large open room. Let the cat become familiar with the dog on his/her terms. Keep the puppy in his crate. Do not force the cat to be near the crate, blah blah blah. (This process could take up to a week).

2) Once the cat is comfortable walking up to the crate, bring puppy out of crate and put puppy on a leash. Let the cat enter and exit the room and he pleases. Never letting go of the leash and allowing the puppy to chase the cat-- etc. etc. etc. (this could take another week).

3) Once the dog and cat are comfortable being in the same room (ie: Dog not running towards the cat and cat not bolting out of the room) - allow supervised visits with the dog off of his/her leash.

4) Never leave a dog alone with a cat. Always allow cat a "special place" to go where they can be left alone. So on and so forth.

SO- We put two baby gates up in our kitchen/dining room and let the puppies roam free. E & L were in the finished basement loving life. Not knowing what was about to hit them. We played outside with the puppies and wore them out by running laps around our yard - then brought them back inside for a nice, little puppy nap.

Cue: Lulu walking up the stairs into the kitchen and seeing two puppies sleeping on the floor. 

Arched Back. Curiosity. Uneasiness.

She stared at them. Was definitely skeptical - then jumped over the gate to go into one of the bedrooms.

Ernie -- THE MOST TERRIFIED CAT IN THE WORLD WHO RUNS AT SIGHT OF HIS OWN SHADOW -- walked straight up to them, while they were napping, sat on my lap (while I was sitting next to the puppies) and watched them sleep.

What the heck?!

And - on a sort of related note - these BABY PUPPIES sleep like NEWBORN BABIES. They run and play for like 15 minutes, then sleep for 2 hours. They're exhausted ALL the time. They love laying down. They love their crate. And its sometimes a battle to get them to do anything but cuddle you (I love it so much).

So keeping these babies in the crate, while allowing Ernie and Lulu adjust has been so easy. 

Our schedule consists of:

Running laps around the yard.

Eating.

Going Potty.

Playing with chew toys in the kitchen.

Sleeping for hours.
Going Potty.

Repeat.

Its been so much fun! We even took them for their first walk/run around our new neighborhood tonight (with a leash and everything!) and IT WAS SO CUTE watching them run/wobble along. They're definitely the cutest kids on the block.THEN THE BEST PART!!! After their long run -- during nap time -- they were both dreaming of running because their little legs where going back and forth IN THEIR SLEEP!!!!! Precious!!!!

Ernie and Lulu are slowly but surely adjusting to their new brothers.

Definitely curious. Still a little uneasy.
Tonight Lulu and one of the pups went nose to nose. SO SWEET!

 When they're not climbing all over Daddy, they're pretty chill.

SO SPOILED ALREADY!

And without further adieu, let us introduce you to our new baby boys and their new names:

Pappy van WRinkle (Pappy)

 named after Matt's favorite bourbon: Pappy van Winkle

and

Wollersheim the Whino (Wally)

 named after my favorite winery: Wollersheim Winery

Gosh - we love our little litter (cats and pups) so very much.

Their adorable sisters, Nora and Cinnamon, are still up for adoption if anyone is interested! :)

MOST IMPORTANTLY - 
We can't even begin to thank everyone who put in effort to rescue Pappy, Wally, and the girls. 

First and foremost, Anne (the President of Adopt Me!) who without her -- we would have never known about these little darlings or had the opportunity to adopt them....

Everyone who helped foster and transport- this rescue was only possible because of all of you and your hard work. Even at 4 AM on Monday morning!

And lastly, Tina, who literally saved these puppies lives. Without you, all four of the babies wouldn't be as healthy and happy as they are. You are truly their guardian angel and I know they will never, ever forget you. We will forever and always be in touch and you better be ready for our awesome Christmas card!!!

If anyone is interested in adopting Nora or Cinnamon, please don't hesitate to contact Anne at 608-395-8080 or at adoptmewipresident@gmail.com. Otherwise, get in touch with me, and I'll connect you with her!

As far as breed information:

They were listed as lab.

(Nora -- the boys' sister)

I see a little bit of pit...

(Cinnamon -- the boys' other sister)

A lot of rottweiler...

Pappy - our sweet baby boy

And some Australian Shepherd....

Wally - our sweet baby boy

Oh, and........................


Piglet.

DOESN'T CINNAMON LOOK LIKE A MINIATURE PIG?!!
I can't even handle the cuteness.

Adopt a Puppy. Save a life. (or two....)

Puppy Classes start October 16th !!! Paps and Walz are going to be the smartest, most spoiled dogs west of the Rock River!!!!!

More unpacking to do!

HGTV in REAL LIFE!

I still remember the day at The Little Gym that I told my friend about Matt and I getting pre-approved for a mortgage. We were newly engaged, had just moved to Madison in the beginning of that year, and we were finally ready plant some roots and buy our first house.

It just so happened that a mom at The Little Gym over heard our conversation and jokingly added, "You should buy my condo!" We chit chatted for a little while about the details of 204 Meadow Oak Trail. The home had sat on the market for a year and the current homeowners were ready to add on to their family. She gave me her realtor's name and info, and within a week or so, we had walked through the condo and had fallen in love. FATE.

In October, we made an offer. It got accepted. And on December 15, 2011 -- we closed on our first home. Property Virgins no more!

The day we made the offer.

We're homeowners!!!!!!

Celebratory closing dinner

Matt and I had lived in two apartments together prior to buying. The first one (in Loves Park, IL) for a full year and the second (in Madison) for eight months. We were SO ready to finally settle down and stay in a house for the next five (or so) years to come.

In fact, we planned on staying for even longer. Five to seven years was always the plan. We knew this was house we'd come home to as newlyweds and we hoped this was the house we'd be able to bring our first child home to, as well.

Well - just like Matt always says.... My schedules and detailed plans never happen the way they're supposed to. God does a great job reminding me that I'm NOT the one in control here. And he actually had a better plan for us all along....

On August 9th (right before our trip to the Bourbon Trail), we joined Matt's parents in Edgerton to go house hunting for their retirement home. Thank Heavens, its been their plan for quite some time now that once they both retire, they are going to move to Edgerton (near Matt's grandma and aunt and uncle) and closer to Matt and I (which is only a thirty minute drive from Wauankee). We were so excited! And on top of that, we planned that within five (or so) years, once we sold our condo, we would join them in Edgerton and build our dream home.

Well, on that day --- We looked at some amazingly, beautiful homes off of the river. Tom and Lori's realtor, Eric, mentioned he heard that I liked old tutor homes and that there happened to be one on the market for a great price. We decided that after we finished looking at possible homes for Tom and Lori, we'd stop by "just to see it".

 
Matt knew there was trouble right when we pulled up. I couldn't get out of the car fast enough. The house was adorably charming. Quaint. In perfect condition. Exactly what I had always dreamed of. After touring the home, I laid on the grass in the backyard protesting that I would not leave until Matt agreed to put an offer in on the house. I still remember his little smirk. That smirk he gives me when he's about to give in. I was so so so happy.

We drove back to Eric's office and put an offer on the house off Blaine St. For closing October 9th. After signing all the paperwork while getting ready to leave, I quickly asked the square footage of the house.

"Around 1200," Eric replied. I looked straight at Matt who had turned pale white by this time.

Uhmmm...... our CONDO is around 1500 square feet.........

Matt just sat there. Processing the fact that he had just signed paperwork to buy a SMALLER house on the contingency sale of our BIGGER condo.

Cue: Matt's panic attack

As most of you are all aware, I am an impulse kind of chick. I see something. I want it. I'm getting it.

Matt is much more responsible. He's slow. He researches. He weighs the pros and cons. Then makes an educated decision.

Which is WHY he had a panic attack on the drive home that night. He stayed up ALL NIGHT long researching old houses and all the problems that could go wrong. The next morning, I reassured him that everything would be okay. The purchase was contingent on the sale of our condo (which wasn't even ON the market yet) and this condo took the previous homeowners A YEAR TO SELL! We most likely weren't getting the house, but it didn't hurt to try, right?!

So, that week we had Eric come to Waunakee. He toured the condo. Took pictures. We set our price. And he said the condo would go "live" (or on the market) that Friday - August 15. In the meantime, there was another offer on the house off Blaine St. -- so we were officially in a bidding war. We went above asking price on our final offer and were supposed to find out that weekend (while in Kentucky) if we had gotten the house or not.

Click here to see our condo listing!

Bourbon trail trip = something great to take our minds off the chaotic life that was happening back in Wisconsin.

Eric and I texted back and forth. One person (he knew personally) was interested in our condo and had gone to see it a couple times. At one point, Eric texted me a message with one single word:

"Patience"

I was a little anxious. I wanted that house off Blaine Street so badly. And we were supposed to hear whether or not the seller chose our offer by that Friday and ....

Friday came and gone. We heard nothing.

Saturday came and gone. We heard nothing.


Saturday August 16th: We had guessed and accepted that the seller went with the other offer. I was bummed. But also, a little relieved. We hadn't sold our condo yet. And at least, now, there wasn't a time crunch we had to stick to. Driving home from Kentucky, we talked about what kind of house we'd like to buy (if we ever sold our condo). Would we build? Would it be an older home? A newer home? What kind of house did we want?

We both agreed that we most likely wouldn't find an old house in as good of condition as the house off Blaine St. We also both agreed that the house we wanted to build was WAY beyond the amount of money we wanted to spend. We finally agreed that the next house we bought would be in a new subdivision, with sidewalks, and a park. And a house that we could grow into and stay in for several years to come. 3 bed. 2 bath. Finished basement kind of thing.

We were interested in brand new builds, but didn't like the idea of landscaping, buying all new appliances, window coverings, etc. So, we also decided to look at homes less than 10 years old.

But this ALL DEPENDED ON THE SALE OF OUR CONDO. Otherwise, we'd just stay in our condo for awhile....

Driving back to Wisconsin.

Around five o clock, Matt got a call on his cell (that's hooked up to the speakers of our car.... bluetooth? I think). Anyways. It was Eric. We could both hear him and both talk to him which worked out perfectly because he said:

"When are you going to be home? We have a full asking price offer on your condo......"

AFTER BEING LISTED FOR A DAY AND A HALF!

YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FULL ASKING PRICE.

And it wasn't even his friend -- it was some random buyer!!!!!!

"The only thing is that they want to close on September 26th. Which means we need to find you a house... soon! Meet me in Edgerton tomorrow morning. We'll go house hunting."

So here it is, September 26th. And we've officially sold our first home. We closed at 9AM.

Thanks for the memories 204 Meadow Oak Trail. We love you and will miss you.

Some of our favorite times in our condo:

 

 

On to another exciting and beautiful adventure with my better half....

OUR NEW HOME!!!!!

AND AND AND!

Its much BIGGER and even NICER than the house off Blaine St.

Things really do work out for the best. God is good.

It's moving time, ya'll!