The Fennels: 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.