Dirty Dogs!

I should be mopping up the floor right now but I decided to take a break and blog for a moment so I capture my true feelings right now.
First let me remind everyone that I love my dogs, both of them (I think, no really I do).
I came home at 4:30ish today and found my house in utter disarray. Towels dumped out of the hamper, plants unpotted, water dish spilled throughout the house, blankets pulled off the bed. Absolutely utter disaster!
 I cleaned up, mopped up the floors (Thank you Norwex) and was ready for church.
Church was awesome tonight, pastor in pajamas, Logan M., leading the songs, great message, and great readings. Basically just a total blessing in this busy week.
I was totally recharged ready to go home and get some stuff done. I came into Amenia and was met by my two little darlings by the stop sign. They were visiting some neighbor friends across the road. AHHH!!! Not OK. No clue how they got out of the house, no windows broken or door open.
They were so happy and excited to see me. They came running along side of the pick up and right into the garage. That was nice, I did not have to run around in the mud to find them. Then I thought to myself. Why is Sandy brown, she is normally a blond. AHH moment #2! They were covered in mud. Getting both dogs into the house and into the bathroom was a real treat:)
Thankfully they are both bathed, well exercised, and ready for bed.
We had a heart-to-heart and now realize the error of our ways. They told me that I have not taken them for a walk yet this week and they needed one. I apologized. I explained to them that I have been busy and will not have time for a walk until tomorrow night at 8. They understood and will stay inside and will not wreck anything tomorrow.
Thank goodness. Now here are my two clean, tired and wet dogs after an hour of running.

Bill the fearless Plumber/Water getter outer/stopper Man

Here is a picture of my fearless Plumber, Water Getter Outer/Stopper, Popsicle Eating Husband. His big yellow water boots started to leak while working on the water situation in the basement.
I must say tonight was another one of "those" nights. O-well keeps us on our toes I guess!

The life of Gus

Gus was pretty excited when the sun came out. He spent his time lounging on the coffee table basking in the warm bliss. He really is a sweet dog, sometimes:)

Amenia Skyline

Normy

I have always had at least two dogs in my life. I started out with Chip and Fred, then Fred and Arffy, then Arffy and Sparky, then Sparky and Norm, then Norm and Barney. Oh and of course I have Sandy and Gus now.
When I was 15 Norm entered into my life...
My mom was away for teachers convention, Dustin had just started his freshmen year in college, and dad and I were hanging out at home. It was a Friday day off from school and my dad woke me up to go for a drive. He did not really mention where we were going just that I needed to hurry up and get going. I hopped in the pick up and asked where we were headed. He told me we were going to Christine to pick up a puppy. I was excited but also realized that my mom did not know about this and would probably not be the most impressed person when she arrived home on Sunday afternoon. I was excited anyway because I loved puppies!
We made it to Christine and found a large batch of puppies and a mommy that could not feed them anymore because there were so many of them! The owners opened up the puppy pen and out came all of the pups, except one. There was one extremely fat black puppy hanging back in the corner. I of course, picked him up and decided he looked just like Norm on Cheers. Dark hair, sweet smile, a little round in the tummy, and pretty calm.
Dustin was a bit surprised when he came home on Saturday but not as surprised as mom when came home on Sunday evening. She fell in love with him just as fast as the rest of us had, though.
We took Norm home and the two of us were instant buddies. In fact we spent the first three weeks together because he was still on a liquid diet because he was so little and needed night time feedings and snuggle time. Norm was with me through those awkward teenage years, break ups, bad choices, good times, and bad times. He was my shoulder to cry on when my grandma Martha passed away, and was there to celebrate when Bill and I were engaged.
I played many a games of ball, snuggled in my bed, and drove in the country with Norm. My friends, Jody and Raven knew Norm well. Many times Raven would come over and take Norm for a ride when no one was home. He was just the kind of black lab farm dog that everyone loved. He was a gentle giant with a warm heart and a big bark.
I could write for hours about the fun times Norm and I had together.
I can not believe Normy is gone and I am so sad but am glad he is not suffering anymore. I also know that his buddy Barney is going to miss him terribly. I am sure this is tough on my parents because losing a dog is like losing a family member.

We will always remember the fun times we had and relish the many years we had together with our old pal Norm.