Uncle Teddy's Livin Life Large (2025)

11/04/2025

Welcome back...I say to myself. It's National Pet Day, so the unveiling will happen. We all know this page was created with my soul dog Teddy at the forefront. Who would have thought I would have so many bloodhounds, and lose so many bloodhounds. The last being Jane, and the effects of it, still are with me every single day. Well, I knew I would get another. I mean...four wasn't enough for expert status, so five might do the trick.
I was on a waiting list. I have been through so many breeders with this breed, and each and every one of them brought something challenging to me. Teddy, ate a rock as a puppy, and it cost me $$$$ to get it out. Doobie, hardest dog to potty train, etc. Moses, just a hot mess of a bloodhound that didn't like everyone, and as they say, "if my dog doesn't like you, chances are...neither should I"🤣and then there was Jane. Food aggression, bad hips, the "karen" of all Karens, allergies...you name it, she had it.
So I carefully, did my research. Found a breeder in Missouri that I was impressed with and placed myself on a waiting list. Wasn't expecting to take on another till at least July. Perfect. I was ready to take a break from the working world, and July would give me plenty of time to prepare, and being 100% involved in the training and upbringing.
Then....the call came. It was from the breeder. She was on her way to Pennsylvania to pick up a pup that comes from her bloodline of her "soul dog" Duke. There is a male that became available, because the original purchaser gave everyone a bad vibe, and the transaction to sell him was cancelled. She wanted to know if I would be interested.
After sending several pictures, and messages back and forth, I said yes, because she was so confident this was a great pick. Before I knew it, I was getting a puppy. Then...I stopped and caught my breath. Was I ready? I hadn't worked my last day yet. I had just a couple to go, but still. Was I being selfish, bringing a puppy into the house with Betty, who is now 8. So, the messaging began. I am sure all involved thought I was crazy. I explained how I was uncertain, how I didn't know if I had made the right decision. They were awesome at talking me off the ledge. They didn't care if I took it or not, because he was in a great place. However, they did tell me the benefits of an older dog. Companionship, teaching the puppy boundaries, and guiding them. I pulled the trigger, and away I went.
He is adorable. His name is Buck Russell. Uncle Buck. When we picked him up, and the owner asked what we were naming it, Buck was the choice their parents wanted them to name their puppy (they kept one from the litter). Things just aligned. We brought Buck home, and it was a slow process to introduce. Betty is doing great. The first couple of days breathed life back into her lungs, playing, running, having fun. But as an old lady will tell you, we get tired easily. She has her moments. Plays, and then gets a little grumpy because she is tired, but all in all, doing fine. The companionship she offers him is perfect. As for Boogie, well, he wasn't feeling well when we brought Buck home, and the introduction was very slow and intermittent. He came around and found the puppy in himself too.
I try, daily to give each dog their own time, whether it be a walk, or one on one time. Boogie, has his moments, and rightfully so. I, as a responsible pet owner, make sure there is plenty of space between them when everyone is tired, and had enough. As for Buck, it's a puppy world all over again. I haven't been in the puppy game for 8 years so just like with toddlers, when they take a break, you take a break or run like hell to get something done.🤣 We are in good health, and am starting puppy kindergarten this weekend. I am going to try and do my best to keep this one on the right track, but in true puppy form, he is usually left of center, running somewhere he doesn't belong. I told my husband, if nothing else, he will keep us moving, and at my age, that is very important.
So, help me in welcoming the newest addition to the crazy house we live in. As this page always did with Ted, I hope to keep you laughing, smiling, wondering, what life is like with a puppy, adolescent, adult. As of this moment, my life will never be the same😂If I had a dollar for everytime I said "what was I thinking", I would be a millionaire!

27/03/2025

"You'll never believe what I saw this morning.....A couple of cows were smokin' a joint and playin' cards. Yeah....that's right....the steaks were pretty high"🤣😂🤣

26/03/2025

As another chapter is about to close and a new one opens, these two came up in the conversation....as always. Though they were not from the same litter, nor were they the same age, they were attached at the hip. Trouble was always x2. Personalities were different, and so was the size. They brought me pain, joy, and a daily life of living with Abbott and Costello.
If it weren't for them, this page wouldn't even exist. Teddy continues to be my soul dog, even after he is gone. He was a dog, always there, sometimes leaving me wondering, to help me up from the ground. And now, continues to do so as I contemplate my next adventure. With his inspiration, I hope to take my love of dogs, and writing, and turn it into something helpful, as he always was.
Working with dogs for the past three years, I have seen the spectrum of dog owners and dogs themselves. I always tell new employees, when I ask them what brings them there, that I thought I knew so much about dogs, having owned them all my life, only to find out I really don't know squat. So, I ask questions, I read, I observe trainers, and most of all, allow the dog to teach me. I have also found out the world of dogs, and their owners are fascinating, and the lives they lead, the same. I have learned so much from them, and continue to do so. So with that being said, I am navigating the new and exciting chapter to come. As I would always say to these two...."Where are you going?" And the look I would get was similiar to this....."You're never gonna believe what we just did"🤣😂stay tuned😉

25/03/2025

I'm not sure how to even caption this😂

23/03/2025

She's a poster child for this book....my standing joke for her..."Quick, the tether cord is stretching and it might break".

22/03/2025

Sshhhhh....it may or may not be me🤣

21/03/2025

Happy Spring!!! From blooming flowers, to spring peepers, to chick season (some may have something else in mind when it comes to peepers😂) it's definitely a time to take a deep breath, and let it out, and smile because winter will be soon putting itself to sleep, and summer will make her appearance. Embrace the change. If the weather permits, go sit outside at night and listen to the peepers gossip about each other. Catch a morning sunrise, and enjoy the view. Most of all, appreciate the fresh start. God knows, after this winter, we are all ready for a change😉

19/03/2025

When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last
We are but a moment's sunlight
Fading in the grass
Come on, people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now

17/03/2025

It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks...days. From crazy changes where I work, to prepping for a 4 year old's birthday party. When the dust settles, and you finally sit down and reflect on the whole hot mess, what you thought was chaos, is actually just a crazy calm. Let me explain.
The place where I work was recently sold. You could say, we all found out by accident but many factors led to the news not being broken before we found out. When negotiations are being made, comments can't. At the end of the tunnel, the previous owners have decided to take a business that they built for twenty years, starting with the love of a dog, and pass it on to newer, fresher breaths. If you are a business owner, you know that when help becomes harder and harder to find, and cuts in the business have to be made because of it, and the resources to fund it are dwindling, choices must be made. On top of it, stress is the leading contributor to health failure, and now the perfect storm has ensued.
With that being said, the business has changed hands. People do not like change. It is as simple as that. And with today's technology, social media has made it easy for them to flex their "mouth muscles" via a keyboard and start the vicious cycle of "he said, she said" gossip and opinions. My mom always taught me to listen to 100% of what is said, and believe 50%. I decided to take the bull head on, and sit down and talk to the new owner. I believe in the "human factor" and getting to know the back story before the current story. Well, I only wish people would. It turns out that a lot of people, through assumption, wrote their own narrative of the situation, and all it takes is one person to start it and the game of telephone has begun. All I can say, is I think they got the wrong number. It is up to them, as adults, to figure it out.
In the process of all of this, I had already made the decision to step away from the job I absolutely love. It is time to refocus. We all need to do it from time to time. Even though, I love what I do, and made quite a connection with so many dogs, I must also remember I have my own, that on a day to day basis, miss my presence through all the hours I was putting in. I am not going to lie, Jane dying had soo much to do with this decision, not to mention two little girls that have stole my heart hook, line, and sinker.
Reflecting back to that day I lost Jane, put so much in perspective. I was working. I thought I couldn't leave because we were so short handed staff wise, and those time sensitive moments, cost me, and her...her life, or at least that is how I feel. I constantly think back through the "woulda, shoulda, coulda" moments leading up to it, and beyond. Even though what happened to her was beyond repair, I still carry it on my heart, that I could have made a difference. I promised myself, never to put myself in that position. Family first, everything else will follow as it needs to.
Then, the preparation, and anticipation of a four year old's dinosaur birthday party. Venturing to North Carolina for all the festivities, but something happened. Betty, my lab, became ill. Again, as my mom would say..."sh$!!&^g through a funnel". Every hour on the hour. Not stopping. I tried not to enter panic mode, but it was bad. I couldn't let this little girl down. She was waiting. So, I left Betty in the hands of my son, who would be taking care of her, and a list of instructions. Away we went, to join the fun, but constantly checking my phone for updates, and they weren't quite what I wanted to hear. In the back of my mind, all I could think of is....I can't lose another one.
We had a fantastic party complete with dinosaurs, balloon artist, face painter and chic-fil-a. Every little kid's dream. The whole time, my mind is pacing. When the party was done, I got a text stating that she still was sick. Away we went. Left a bit quickly, but again, worry was at the forefront. Betty is very attached to me, and I can't even make a move without her. As I sit and type this, she is laying on the couch right behind me, head on the armrest, just watching me. When we got home, it took her a good hour to settle in, panting, crying, just happy to see me. As an update, she is getting better, but again, as my mother would say "not banging on 8 cylinders". We will get there. Rice works miracles.
So, after this long winded post, I will get back to the message at hand. Everyone needs to stop and reflect on what chaos is ensuing around them, and what exactly the priorities they need to put in order for this to calm down. As I said, it has been a whirlwind. However, with all that happened, it was a no brainer what I need to do, and where I need to be without leaving anyone or anything behind. And then I received this picture from my future daughter-in-law. As beautiful as it was, it almost gave me chills. Was this someone in another life, sending me a message sublimely? I think so. As I always told my boys as they were growing up, "everyday, you will see something, hear something, or do something" that will humble you into place. Indeed this is it. And I am in place, so humbly, with my decisions. I hope this helps anyone who may be struggling as I was. Oh, and I almost forgot..."Happy St. Patrick's Day". May the luck of the irish be with you. Even though, if you have family surrounding you...you are already the lucky one!😉❤

13/03/2025

"Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction." –🤣sound advice for life.....

12/03/2025

Not all heroes wear capes.....some wear collars😊

11/03/2025

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." - Yoko Ono

Uncle Teddy's Livin Life Large