Our Little Tender Mercy...

I've wanted a puppy since my parents left good 'ole nepher titi and king tut behind in kansas. Although Jeff and I had basically decided we just couldn't have a puppy while living in an apartment. So when i got baby hungry, and we weren't ready for that either...i guess jeff started thinking the whole puppy thing looked a little bit brighter. So when work was crummy, and life seemed mundane and i was a little down in the dumps jeff knew exactly what i needed. Ginger. She is a 4 1/2 month old Vizsla. We were going to the pet store so i could "play with the puppies", and ended up leaving with her. She is so wonderful we love her. She is so smart, is already potty trained in less than two weeks. And she just never ceases to be unbearably cute. A few things about the Vizsla breed. They are hunting dogs originally from Hungary. They are nicknamed the 'velcro dog' because they get really attached to their owners, and tend to follow them from room to room, they aren't content with merely being in the same room but must be right there with you. They are pleasers. They live to please their masters. They desire to be one of the family, and like to feel included in the family activities. They are great with kids, they are short haired....so they don't smell terribly bad, and don't shed much. they are very affectionate, love to give kisses, love people in general, and love other animals. We have found all of these traits to be true. Ginger will follow me from room to room, in the kitchen if i'm at the counter making something she's balled up sitting on my feet. if i'm on the computer she's sitting on my lap. If i'm using the toilet she's sitting right there next to me cheering me on. Jeff was taking a bath one day and Ginger was not content with sitting there, she jumped in and layed on his chest. We think this has to do with her wanting to be involved with 'family activities'. I honestly think she thinks she is helping us accomplish things. Having the hunting gene in her blood has become very evident as well. We will throw her animal, or a tennis ball, and she will wait, and stalk it (watch it while in a crouched position) then she will creep up on it, and pounce, and she's loves bringing back what she has caught! Not only are her stalking skills quite acceptional, but she loves creating an obstacle course out of our condo. She will take the most difficult route possible to get from point A to point B. She will go over under, and around the bars on our dining table chairs, almost like self-inflicted hunting dog training.She is such a cuddler, and even though we got her to appease me, she seems to be a little biased towards snuggling with jeff. We've been taking her on 2 hour walk/runs in the reservoir by our house and it's so fun to see her pick up scents. We took Ginger over to another couple in our ward who have to quite large dogs for a little play date. And she kept up with them surprisingly. They were trying to play keep away with her toys but she is so small that she would sneak up from behind or the side, and slip through their legs and get her toy back. She has motivated us to get things done, and has definately forced me to prioritize and organize my life. It was so sad, the other day i was excited that i was able to sleep in till 7:00 (yeah 7:00 am has never been what i would consider sleeping in!) But surprisingly enough I enjoy it.

First day we had Ginger, and she's already snuggling up with her daddy.....

She looks super mal-nutritioned here (again taken the first day) but we've been fattening her up

She's very quick to make friends...
Ginger venturing into the creek at the reservoir...she loves water.

Ginger imposing on jeff's bath

she's so darn cute!

Speaking of her helping us, and acting like she's involved. this is ginger helping me write this blog post. She was on my lap and had one paw on the keypad most of the time- her contribution!

i will follow up this post with a video post of ginger fetching!