Our New Addition...Another Outlaw

Yes, it's true...we have a new guy. Before I could properly introduce our new little guy I had to respectfully remember and honor the original, the Great, in the post below. In no way will this little angel replace Maverick, no dog ever can...but he can steal a new place in our hearts (which he has).

Introducing our new little Outlaw, Jesse James. Jesse came from the Saint Bernard Rescue where we also got Lucy 6 years ago. He has had a very rough start in his life but thanks to the rescue he survived and pulled through. He's thriving at 4 months old, weighing in at 40lbs.

Since Mav's death Lucy hasn't been the same, for the two of them were inseparable. For about 2 weeks she sulked in a corner, barely ate and didn't want to go outside. When we got to meet with Jesse two weeks ago Lucy took to him instantly, very mothering. Surprisingly, because she doesn't normally get along with allot of other dogs. We got to take Jesse home on Saturday and the transition has been rather easy. Lucy is eating again and waits for Jesse to come outside with her but she hasn't gotten the play thing done yet. The cats have someone new to play with (as you can see in the video below, Maddie is not afraid of anything!) And Tyler is loving a new friend to play with. Tyler loves hanging out in Jesse's crate and acting like a dog.

Puppy running crazy, kid in crate...my house is a zoo!! And I love it!

So, I'm sure there will be plenty more antidotes as this little guy finds his spot in our family (and chews everything up in the process of doing so)

Saying Goodbye to our dear friend...

It's finally time I say goodbye to my Maverick. I've been postponing it for quite some time but I think that I'm now ready. Maverick passed this past Labor Day weekend from a second bout of bloat. Although it's only been three weeks since losing him, it feels like so long ago because it feels like forever since we last saw him. We miss him terribly! I didn't want to let him go before saying a few words about him, he deserves it.

For years before him I had always dreamed of getting a St. Bernard. The perfect dog in my head, handsome, gentle, loving... I brought 4 month old Maverick home on Valentines Day 2002, a fluke in finding him. From day one Maverick was THAT dog...that dog that I always wanted. He was so sweet, sensitive...and dopey (they aren't the brightest breed) At 130 lbs if he wanted to he could have dragged me anywhere he wanted, yet, he never pulled on his leash. All he ever wanted from anyone is a pat on the head and a cookie from the jar. We never asked Maverick to sit because his hips hurt him, although I know if I asked him to he would have, he was just that kind of dog. He was always so happy to see anyone and I don't think I have ever heard a growl come out of that dogs mouth. He would be picked and probed at the vet and he never so much as move. I remember last summer Mav found a rabbit's nest in the yard and every time he was let out he would run over to the baby bunnies and just lay next to the hole, guarding it. He never bothered the babies. Maverick was the ideal Saint in every way. My feet now lay cold at night, not having Mav's head as my foot warmer.

Maverick we will miss you and you will never be forgotten!! Tears come to our eyes every time we pass the baseball fields by our house as Tyler says Maverick is now feeling better and chasing butterflies through the fields now.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words, support and cards. It helped allot in our loss.

Love,

Tyler, Mike, Catherine, Lucy, Murray and Maddie.