Joining the ranks of dog owners…

by | Sep 8, 2016 | a slice of life | 228 comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

Sometimes timing, place and circumstances all align and something happens that you don’t expect.

So, last week, I shared that I did a photo shoot of a porch and Kriste and I had a couple of dogs for company.  As I worked on the shoot, I thought the time is coming soon when our family will get a dog.  We’ve been thinking about it for over a year, but never pulled the trigger on actually getting one.

One reason was that it felt like Jeff and I wanted different things.  He wanted a specific breed, an Australian Shepherd, so he was looking at puppies on breeder websites.  I wanted to adopt a rescue dog, one that was a little older, maybe around two, who was already past the puppy stage, was house-trained, and well-behaved.

So, we both looked now and then, but never spotted one we were both excited about.

This weekend, Jeff went on a retreat to New Hampshire, so it was just me and the boys.  On Saturday morning we tagged along to a local “cat farm” my parents were visiting.

It’s not really a cat farm, but that’s what we call it.  It’s actually a couple who has a love for animals and they take in strays, rescue animals, and cats who aren’t good candidates for adoption.  They have over 70 cats and that may sound like mayhem, but they take amazing care of the animals on their 30+ acre farm.  They also have horses, a couple of dogs, chickens, etc.  It’s a little animal haven.

My parents were visiting, because she took in their cat that they weren’t able to keep.  He was wetting in the house frequently and then didn’t fair well as an outdoor cat roaming a suburban neighborhood.  He’s now at the farm and doing really well there.  So, my parents visit him every few months and also bring out cat food and litter to support the owners.

My boys like going to the farm to play with the cats and dogs.  This was my first time going, but they had been before.  When we arrived, a sweet dog was bounding around as I pulled the car into the driveway.  He didn’t jump up on us or bark, but wagged his tail, licked our fingers and sat still when we pet his head.

I gave the cats some attention and played more with the dog, Sebastian.  The boys were loving on him, too, throwing his squeaky bone and scratching his ears.  It’s a big thing for Calvin, who has always been pretty fearful of dogs.

I had the thought again that we should get a dog soon and, when we do, I hoped he would be just like this one.  Sebastian seemed perfect.  I mentioned that to my dad and he said he bet we could have Sebastian.  Oh, I wouldn’t want to take their dog!  I wouldn’t even ask that.  

After the visit, we got in the car and I mentioned to the owner that we have been considering getting a dog for a long time and if she came across a rescue dog that would be great for a family to let us know.

“Well, we have a black one right here who would love a family like yours!”

“Seriously?  You would part with him?”

She confirmed that they would and shared that she and her husband were just talking about how they love having him, but he really needed to be with a family with some kids, so he had more action and attention.  Even though they weren’t actively trying to re-home him, they were hoping one day the right family would come along for him.

And we seemed to be it.

I snapped a picture of him and said I would talk to my husband about it, we’d think about it and let her know.

We went out to lunch and I texted Jeff as soon as we sat down.  I started off the text with, “I’m serious about this…” and proceeded to tell him about Sebastian and how I think he is “our dog”.  I didn’t really know what to expect from Jeff, because, while we had talked about getting a dog, actually getting one didn’t seem like something that would happen any time soon.  And I’ve never sent him a “honey, can we bring an animal into our house” kind of text before.  Usually it’s an antique hutch, settee, or buffet.

His response was, “Get him.”

So, we did.

Meet Sebastian.

A few things about him…  He’s a 1 1/2 year old who was adopted as a stray from Arkansas by the couple we got him from.  As best as anyone can tell, he’s a border collie with possibly some shepherd and spaniel mixed in.  He is already house-trained, crate-trained, and very obedient.  So, the breed makes Jeff happy and the fact that he’s past the puppy stage makes me happy.

And the fact that he is a dog makes the boys happy!  Calvin, our youngest, has especially taken to him.  They had a snuggle-fest all over the floor the first day he was in our house and he’s been saying things like, “Our house is so much more fun now.”

Marshall is ready to teach him to do every trick in the book.

And I’m enjoying having a no-excuses reason to walk a lot and bringing a “studio dog” with me to work…

I will be getting him a proper dog bed, but I put together a makeshift one out of a remnant of upholstery foam and an old blanket.

Sebastian approved.

I always loved the idea of bringing our future dog to the studio with me, so he/she wouldn’t be lonely during the day, but I figured that wouldn’t be very realistic.  He’s such a good dog, though, that it’s working really well.  He doesn’t get into anything and just hangs out.  Of course, that might change once he gets more “comfortable”, but things are going well so far.

And I set up a little treat jar for him, and other dogs who might visit, in a jar one of my sweet readers, Barbara, gave me as a gift.

 

There’s a lot to get used to, like dog park etiquette, dirty floors, grooming, riding in cars, and walks in our jammies…

And I’m brand new to the world of poop baggies, dog beds, leashes, and other gear, so I’d love if you’d share your tips, suggestions, and favorite things with me.

Another chapter of life begins…

Receive a Daily Dose of Encouragement and Inspiration!

Stay Inspired with Marian's Daily Blog Posts

Sign up to receive uplifting blog posts directly in your inbox! Join our community of like-minded individuals and start your day with a burst of creativity, motivation, and positivity. Whether you’re seeking decorating tips, DIY projects, or simply a dose of inspiration, Marian’s daily posts are sure to brighten your day and ignite your creativity. Don’t miss out on your daily dose of encouragement – subscribe now!

    228 Comments

    1. Karin

      Congratulations! How exciting! I have a red tri Aussie shepherd and he looks very similar to your Sebastian. You are going to have the best time with him.

    2. Marsha Kern

      So happy for your family!!!

    3. Dorothy O.

      He’s gorgeous and has such a regal look. As an owner of a black Labrador Retriever, I look forward to you possibly giving a tutorial on making a grainsack dog bed slipcover. And tips for keeping hardwood floors “hairfree.” Lol. Congratulations!

    4. Samantha Dickey

      We adopted two dogs from different animal shelters, and it’s true that you won’t really see their full personality until they feel settled and comfortable. As you learn more about him and his play style, you’ll find toys that fit the bill. Our GSD is more of a chewer, so antlers and Kongs are her favorites. Our Doberman/Poodle mix loves to chase and chew, so she loves pretty much any toy she can run after – including sticks she finds in our backyard!

    5. liz

      Congratulations! Rescue dogs are the best. Something to keep in mind, things that are adorable in the “everything is new and fun” phase might not be adorable for 15+ years. A lesson I learned the hard way with my first dog. Best wishes for many happy healthy fun years with Sebastian.

    6. Cindy in Oklahoma

      I’m so happy for you and your Sebastian. All of you hit the jackpot!

      My dad says all dogs need a boy. (or a girl) I added the girl part because I’m pretty sure he would, too, if any of his kids had girls. My sister and I only had boys.

      Seriously, there is nothing quite like a dog in the house to complete one’s childhood.

      The only advice I can offer has to do with leashes…. Our dog has a tendency to pull or strain at a leash, so we bought a harness which has a leash connection on the back. He doesn’t pull so much and if he does nothing chokes him. And… he seems calmer when we walk him with the harness.

      Enjoy!

    7. Becky

      I’m so happy for Sebastian and for your family! We are a dog friendly home and love our wee furry family so much. We have always had Scottie Dogs, but my son recently moved back home with his dog, Oliver, who is a Border Collie, Boxer, Aussie Cattle Dog mix. Scotties don’t shed (they drop hair like us) but boy-oh-boy Oliver sheds like nobodies business!!! Suggestion: get a good micro-fiber dust mop, one that you can wash and re-use the pad. I clean my wood and tile floors twice a day, when I am home. It stressed me out at first, but because Oli is such a good dog, I’ve learned to live with it. Another suggestion to you is to visit a reputable dog food provider and get a food that is grain free and one that doesn’t have a lot of white potatoes, corn, barley, wheat…etc. I give my Scottie, Katie (who is a rescue) California Natural Venison and Green Lentil.

      But most of all, enjoy him and have fun. Dogs give such unconditional love and your Sebastian has such an endearing look in his eyes and I know he will be forever grateful to be loved by you and your family. Way to go boys! Yahoo!

    8. Calypso in the Country

      I am so happy for you! We got our dog (a puppy at the time) when our boys were 6 and 8 which was almost 5 years ago. She has added so much love and happiness into our home and now I couldn’t imagine not having her. I think it’s so important for kids to grow up with a dog. Congratulations on your new family member!
      Shelley

    9. Sarah | She Holds Dearly

      Oh Marian, you are going to have so much fun! Our dog has become such a happy part of our family.

      Sebastian’s eyes are so sweet.

      And my family raised Australian Shepherds, we would train the to herd our cattle. Jess has good taste, but your dog is wonderful, too.:)

    10. laura d

      Oh I am tearing as I read this! Dogs and boys are such a natural fit-I know that from years of experience.

      Sebastian has found his family and will bring you much joy.

      Congratulations to you whole family.

    11. Cassandra E

      I just cried through this whole post. Every single thing about it. The sanctuary, your parents, your desire to rescue, your loving family and precious Sebastian. I don’t have any tips. It sounds like you’ve got it all in hand. Just remember, dirt is no big thing compared to a faithful companion.

    12. Sharon

      I’m so happy for you. Especially your son that was a little fearful. I have 3 Standard ( the big ones) Poodles. Dogs bring so much to your world, some good and some bad. My suggestion would be find a good vet, who will keep Sebastian up to date on shots, etc. Just like Laura said, I’m tearing up! Enjoy.

    13. Sara Syrett

      Oh this makes my heart so happy! We have adopted a few dogs in the past and they have been the best! We now have German Shepherd that is like one of my children. He spends all day playing with my kids and is sad everyday when they leave for school. Congrats on the new addition and I hope it continues to work out!

    14. Sam | Away She Went

      Congrats on the new family member! I’m so happy for you all! We have 2 dogs and I can’t imagine my life without them. Coming home to those happy faces and wagging tails always makes my day brighter.

    15. Liesl

      It looks like Sebastian is the perfect dog for you. I’ve had dogs my whole life, and so long as a dog can tolerate kids of all ages, it’s probably going to be fine.
      (When my kids were young we brought home an Aussie puppy. It had to go back because its herding instinct led to a lot of ankle nipping. Retrievers have always been my favorite but they shed terribly.)
      Exercise is the most essential thing. Smart dogs that don’t get worn out by exercise can be destructive. Make sure he runs hard, exercises hard, gets plenty of time and praise for retrieving, etc. and he’ll probably be good. Encourage the boys to teach him tricks, commands.

    16. Tina-Marie Hamilton

      Awww, I am so happy for all of you! We can’t live without a dog in our home, just ask our 5-month old boxer puppy. On a side note…we have a student who brings her dog to school (I teach in a high school). The dog is trained for adverse insulin reactions. Sebastian seems pretty bright, so…

    17. Kim

      My heart just about stopped when I read this post today. Your new guy looks EXACTLY like my dog. Wish you all the best!

    18. Krista

      Welcome to the world of dog ownership! We have two dogs and a cat in the house and it does make the house “so much more fun”! (Loved that!) You’ll love seeing his personality emerge as he gets used to things. One item I recommend for dog owners is a few lint brushes – the sticky paper kind. You’ll want to keep one in your vehicles to quickly touch up a seat or your clothes, and one close by to touch up furniture when guests come by. Dog hair gets everywhere but it’s just one of those things you put up with because you love the dog.

    19. Heidi S

      Oh yay! BIG grin!! We have a couple rescues and one is a border golden who looks just like Sebastian but all black. Our other looks like an Aussie (or a miniature-60+ pounds-Bernese – same coloring). Both are smart as whips. No advice really, you’ll learn as you go and if there’s trouble, there are all kinds of ways to train yourselves (LOL) to get what you want from your furry child! Just wanted to pass along 3 things: buy a dehydrator and make your own chicken jerkey if you’re going that route with treats – much cheaper when you find b/s chicken on sale (slice thinly while partially frozen), put in the dehydrator (or low low oven) for a few hours and then bake for about 10 minutes (ours never lasts long enough to need baking – we just keep it in the fridge). The border golden loves things that take a long time to chew like some of the rawhide type toy/treats & those cloth frisbees to burn off his excess energy; and our other loves the giant kong you can put small treats in and he has to knock it around to get them to fall out-which is one way you can feed a dog that eats too fast or too much.

      Most of all – have fun fun fun!

    20. Julie W

      So happy for you! Rescue dogs are the best! I actually foster dogs for a local rescue, and here are a few tips I’ve gleaned over the last 2 year of fostering:

      1. Nip unacceptable behaviors quickly! If you cannot trust the dog to behave while you are there, they definitely won’t when you are gone. Crate training helps with this, but should not be used as a punishment.

      2. If you are going to crate for any length of time, or even just to give him a personal space, you need to train the boys to stay away from and out of the crate. It’s a space for the dog to go and decompress without distraction or interruption – sometimes they can get overwhelmed with kids if they haven’t been around them in a while.

      3. Make sure treats stay treats, and not ‘oh what a good boy you are do you want a cookie’. Those calories add up to pounds QUICK! LOL

      4. No matter how sweet and docile the dog, a harness or corrective collar (martingale/prong/etc.) should always be used when walking or in a public area – dogs are notorious for slipping collars and escaping! The collar should be there to hold his tags and nothing else. If you aren’t comfortable with a prong collar (and it sounds like he doesn’t need the incentive), try a martingale. You can get a model that is 1/2 webbing and 1/2 slip chain. It stays relaxed until either you or the dog pulls tension into the martingale collar. Great choice for beginners.

      5. Check chew toys and beds at least weekly for signs of wear or excessive chewing. Throw out toys that are fraying, losing stuffing, or beginning to break into pieces. Intestinal obstruction is a horrible horrible awful thing, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Also make sure to keep small stinky socks picked up – dogs seem to love those, and will either carry them around or eat them! Gross!

      6. Picking up poop is a given. If you don’t use reusable grocery bags, just stash the plastic ones and use those – WAY cheaper than those cute little baggies that usually end up being to small to do the job! Better to have a bigger bag and more hand coverage than to stick your finger in poop.

      You guys will ADORE having a doggie family member! We love our rescue lab, and all of our fosters. In 2 years, we’ve had 19 fosters come through our door. I love sending them off to bigger, better things. In fact, I’m taking my latest foster to her new home at the beach this weekend!

    21. Melody

      Grapes & raisins are toxic for dogs. Also, chocolate (if they eat a box full or get into a Halloween stash). Many dog treats are made in China so check the labels!

    22. Kathy

      Great advice, Julie. The only thing I would add is, if having a dog is a new experience for your family, find a good dog obedience program and register. Even if your dog seems well trained, the educational experience is as much for you as the dog.

      • teri

        indeed -my parents have border collies cross spaniels and went to dog training classes in the village. Or Owner training classes as they are really. The dogs loved it as a “puppy party” and it makes sure they are not freaked out by strange dogs. In fact they love visitor dogs!

    23. Donna C.

      Congratulations on your new addition! Rescues are so rewarding and all we have ever had. All have so much love to give and only ask for a chance at a long, happy life and a safe sanctuary! So happy for your family!

    24. Sandy

      Congrats Marian. We have three dogs that we rotate into work. We own our own business also and after we were robbed, (by children non the less) the police suggested we bring our GSD (a huge one) to work. We have signs posted everywhere to not pet the dog, etc but all our good customers just love him and now his brother and sister. The bad customers look around for him, get big eyed and get very respectful and leave. We trade off the dogs, cause “they say they prefer to share the load.” I have a very large studio that I do painting, sewing, crafts in and always dreamed of one of the dogs coming in with me. Well the oldest dog (14) gets a little weary in the studio, the giant GSD “adopted” my best white teddy bear and buried it outside, so now neither of the GSD can come in. Tried a few times, but the big one goes after that white teddy bear EVERY time. We’ve had conversations about it, but he is very serious that he should have it, doesn’t touch anything else, unlike our newest girl, 9 months gsd, and everything is far game.

      I could go on and on about dogs, 2 of my GSD’s years ago keep my two oldest boys alive more than once, because they would not allow the boys to do the dangerous things they wanted to. I would never in this world have children without dogs or at least an animal for them to take care of. Everything in this life has trade offs this one especially but they are well worth it. I read your blog, daily, sometimes more, and while I don’t think most bloggers don’t realize this, having you to read and share with is very important. Keep up the good work, in every way, and look forward to many many years of your life. Sandy

    25. Debbie

      He’a a beaut ! So much advice has already been given BUT here’s mine ,as a sit in the Vets office where I volunteer…GOOD food ! this is really important. Just like us, they need good food. Real ingredients, listing whole meats as a first ingred. Don’t buy the cheap ! Not sure what brand in the states…I use Valens , Orijens is also a good brand. Have fun!

    26. Rita

      I don’t normally comment on my “favorite” blogs, but must this time. Congratulations on your new addition and thank you for “rescuing” him. We’ve had 3 rescue dogs in our 36 years of marriage and all of them were the best dogs – kind, gentle, loving, and very protective of our family. (Sadly I say “were”, as we lost our last rescue dog just a few months ago and still miss him with each passing day.) It was always amazing to me that our last dog, “Woody Boy”, “just knew” that when hubby was out of town, he was “on duty”. Normally, he would love you to death if you came to our home, rarely barked, and was laid back. First time hubby was out of town, doorbell rang and he barked in a way I had NEVER heard. A bark that would scare the toughest of people. By the time I grabbed his collar and got to the door – whoever was there was long gone! He never left my side when hubs was gone that trip, and every time thereafter. If I was out working in the yard, if someone walked by and he was uncomfortable with them, he would have a low (in the throat) growl that wouldn’t let up until the person was a block away. I always knew he “had my back” when I was home alone.

      Only hint I can give, is get him his own bed for when he’s out of the crate and hanging out with the family. Get multiple if you can afford it. Our dogs loved Costco beds, so that’s what we bought. Never had less than 3 in the house – one in our bedroom, living room, and family room. None of our dogs EVER got up on any of the furniture (and we would have known–all shed 24/7/365 days a year…you wouldn’t be able to miss it if they did). It was a though they just knew where they should lie/sleep – right by us in whatever room we were in. In fact, they would always do a “dance” when we bought them new beds – they couldn’t wait to lay down and make them theirs!

      Enjoy him, love him, and you will find you receive back the most deep and unconditional love you have ever experienced. Your boys will seek him out after a bad day at school, and he will sense their need and respond. Dogs are amazing like that. Sorry for the long post, but as a passionate lover of rescue dogs, I just had to share how wonderful they are and how blessed he is to join your family.

    27. sandi

      WTG! Love it that it worked out so well. We would never be without a couple of dogs — ours are small since we go back & forth over the ocean w/them a few times a year. We are on our last 2—have had breeder & rescue pups—it is the way to live the good life! All the best!

    28. SueSchneid22

      He is so pretty!!! I don’t blame you and the kids for falling in love. They always say that most times, animals find YOU! Truth! Enjoy!!

    29. Jeannie

      We have two rescues and they’re the best….They fill a void in our heart.
      Have fun and love him lots.
      keep sharing pictures. This is one of your best posts ever.

    30. kathy sciamanda

      Your boys and Sebastian, the photo made my eyes wet!!!! Way to go mom and dad!

    31. beverlee

      yay…it’s time in your life for this!
      Advice.
      Harness and not a collar.
      poop bag container that hooks on to the leash, so we always have one. I have one on the car leash also, because she goes with us a lot.
      follow through on the training to do ‘things’…they are so happy to show you that they can
      obedience training….good for people and adult. it helps you know how to love him
      good food. We used Blue until she developed urinary probs, now, Royal Canine.
      none of the ‘roasted chicken’ from the grocery, very high in fat, causes pancreas problems
      no artificial sweetener, no grapes, olives. and do a search of food bad for dogs.
      not as much as it seems, just getting accustomed to your new guy.
      a life long love affair is ahead.

    32. Julie

      Oh My brings tears to my eyes to hear about your sons, and how they love him already.
      Lovely story thanks for sharing. – Life long dog lover 🙂

    33. Janet Squire

      Perfection no matter how you look at it. Congratulations!

    34. CoCo

      This makes me so excited for you and your family. We have 3 rescues and I tell you they have been the best gifts. I even found one of the side of the road and she fills my heart with joy on a daily basis. I see you’re getting lots of good advice on food quality, walks, leashes and nipping bad behavior quickly. It is a bit of extra work to deal with dog hair and things like that but honestly rescues give so much love it’s worth every minute. Congratulations and hugs, CoCo

    35. joanne

      Congrats! He looks like a real sweetheart!

    36. Peggy Gordon

      Congratulations! Sebastian reminds me so much of my sweet rescue, Katie. Katie is a border collie/spaniel mix. She was found in a parking lot with a litter of puppies. Lucky for her, a kind lady saved her from being put down, and lucky for me, I was able to adopt her. She was about a year and a half at the time and is now nine. She is without a doubt the best dog in the world (except for the shedding part. But she can’t help that!).. She has never taken food from the table or jumped on my furniture. As soon as I brush my hair and put on llipstick she gets in her crate, where she waits happily for my return. She loves her walks, loves children, is gentle and intelligent. She warns me with a bark when someone approaches the house then relaxes if I let them in. I hope your Sebastian is just as wonderful as my Katie. My grandchildren adore her, and I am so happy to see the joy on your boys’ faces. Best of luck.

    37. MimiG2002

      Sebastian has a sweet face – I think he’ll be a good fit, especially for your boys. As someone else mentioned, will be waiting to hear about keeping hardwoods clean, my girl sheds constantly. Also, keep poop bags on you at all times, I’m serious. You never know when you’re going to have to use them!! LOL
      The very best of life with your new pet, so glad you rescued, that’s what I did.

    38. Dee

      Love this!!

    39. Rita C at Panoply

      What a handsome boy Sebastian is! He found his people!!

    40. Naomi Duval

      Congratulations! Kids need dogs and dogs need kids. We often say “It’s a rule on this planet.”

      It’s just wonderful.

    41. Michelle Gaul

      Congrats on the new addition! He is soooooo handsome!

    42. Jan

      Delighted for all of you! We have a rescued deaf, albino border collie who is dearly loved. Because she has abandonment issue from a very tough childhood (she’s 12 now), when we leave her at home, we always smile and blow her kiss so she knows she is a good dog and that we will return. With my crystal ball, I forecast a long and happy life for all of you! Jan

    43. Sherry Tune

      So happy for your family to have a fur baby. I would highly recommend getting a shop keepers bell and installing it about 2 foot of the floor next to the back door, every time you take him out, ring the bell a little. He will start to associate it with going out and he will then ring the bell when he needs to go. It works like a charm. I got mine from amazon, it is a little shepherds hook looking bell and it doesn’t have an obnoxious sounding ring to it. It’s just like an ol time shop bell. Let me know if you do get it and if it works for you all. 🙂 best regards Sherry from Upcycleaddict

    44. Danielle

      Marian, he is so beautiful! What a perfect gift your family. We adopted our dog, Poppy almost 6 years ago, and we haven’t looked back since. She’s been such a gift to our family. I love taking her on long walks by the beach and playing with her. Congratulations. xx

    45. E heumier

      We recently adopted a border collie mix. He is shedding now and we found that a double-row undercoat rake with rotating teeth is indispensable for keeping hair loss under control – hope that helps.

    46. Janice

      Welcome Sebastian… Soon you will have a colour named after you!
      We have two rescues and they fill the home with more love. I have no suggestions for you but I do look for food and treats that have real chicken or fish and no by products I also buy dried chicken strips that are human grade and made in USA only . There have been problems with the ones from China. But then that country has been known to put Melamine in baby formula. Looking forward to more pics of him in the future. The kids do look happy with their new dog.

    47. Tracy

      Congrats on the new addition to the family-Happy for all 5 of you! Rescues are awesome. Sebastian is beautiful. He is going to be great company for all of you. I havent been without a dog in my life for years, wouldnt have it any other way. One very important tip I can think of is to teach him to come when called. I think the best way is with food. If he already knows it or picks up on it fast, try it with distractions around him. If he ever gets away from you, you dont want to be running around chasing him all over as he totally ignores you. Could end up badly for him. I bought a little “clicker” to use also when they come to you and you give him the treat, click the clicker at the same time. Eventually he will come just to the sound of the clicker. Have fun with him!

    48. Bonnie

      First off I have to say that I cried all the way through this post. I could not imagine a life without dogs, and rescuing or adopting is the only way to go in my book. And, so often our pets have chosen us instead of the other way around. There is something so loving in Sebastian’s eyes. I know your boys are going to love having him as a companion. Be forewarned: you will curse the dog hair everywhere, but it is soooo worth it.

    49. Holly

      Love! He’s gorgeous. Welcome to the club. I hope you and your family have years of happiness and fun with Sebastian.

    50. Cathy

      We have two they are mother & son. It’s great but they slowly steal your favorite chair. One will bark like to go out & when you get up to go out he will jump in your chair. So humans work around their comfort for the dogs comfort. Welcome to the world of pet owner ship.

    51. Doris R.

      I LOVED this story!!!!! Congratulations on the newest member of your family! He is beautiful, and the boys look soooooo happy!

    52. Susan

      I’m already in love with him. I can’t wait to see more pictures of him. I knew you were my favorite blogger for a reason. Adopting an older dog just confirms it.

    53. Dianne

      So happy for you.

    54. Cathie

      Your boys (including Sebastian) look so happy!
      Several years ago, my boys and I were playing a board game and one of the game cards said write down the top 3 best days of your life. I don’t remember what their 2nd or 3rd best day was but all 3 of my boys said the best day of their life was the day we adopted our dog, Bella. Have fun!

    55. Christy

      I’m so happy you adopted a rescue! I have two “Bulgarian Street Dogs” I adopted while in Europe. They now live with us in Texas. Mutts are the best! Not as many health issues, it’s like they get the best of all their breeds.

    56. Karen

      Thanks for sharing this heart warming story and pictures. Such fun! He’s a handsome dog, too! Enjoy!

    57. Debbie

      That’s wonderful! We just lost our dog to cancer the end of June. We think she was about 16 and she was a rescue and we had her for ten years. We are empty nesters, one retired and one hoping to in a few months, and knew she wouldn’t be with us much longer. We kept saying “no more dogs” after this. But you know what? We miss her so much that we are on the lookout for another one and have the same requirements you did. I hope we are as lucky! He will bring you and your family so much joy.

      • Dallas

        Many dogs are out there waiting for great people like you to take them home. I know how hard it is to lose a wonderful pet, but that is part of the deal, I guess.

    58. Patty Rusin

      Our rescue rescued us. Can’t imagine out life without Spot. He was about 1-1/2 when we adopted him two years ago and has brought our family nothing but joy. I am so happy for Sebastian that he “found” you and your family!

    59. Leslie Collison

      Rescue pets are the best pets. Sebastian and the boys are will be best of friends!

    60. Debbie

      What a beautiful doggie! He’s happy to be in a “fur-ever” home! Our favorite dogs have been rescues. We went to the pound, came home with a lab-mix puppy (two months old) of my daughter’s choice. We went back the next day and got another lab “puppy” – 6 months old, 90 lbs, that had captured my husband’s heart the day before! They’re the best – almost as if they’re grateful. Best wishes to all of you as you learn how to enjoy one another!

    61. Rhonda Niblett

      I write this with a few tears…as I am reminded of this very kind of story when I adopted my rescue Australian shepherd Callie. I had her for 12 years. She was crippled but the most amazing,kind animal I have ever had. She went through a lot with me, I miss her so–it’s been 2 years. Sebastian has that kind, soulful look in his eyes and he must be so happy. I moved out to 5 acres last summer and have been “thinking” about another reduce dog. I am again waiting for everything to just happen like it did for Callie and Sebastian. You have done a good thing. You will not regret a moment. All the best to your family.

    62. Nancy @ Slightly Coastal

      Oh he looks so sweet! We rescued our sweet dog who ended up being a full blooded Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. She is the joy in our house. There are so many options out there for cute items for dogs, but my friend Amanda from Dixie Delights has the cutest dog bowls in her etsy shop.

      He just looks like the perfect dog for you. Congrats!

    63. Caroline O'Hara

      Beautiful story, and beautiful black-and-white photo of Sebastian! Pets bring so much love into a home.

    64. Karen

      AWWWW! Sebastian is beautiful!! He’s a mix of what you both wanted almost to a Tee. Dogs are really special friends and quickly become members of the family. Bless you all and enjoy him.

    65. Kim

      How wonderful! He’s lovely and looks like a perfect fit for your family! Our last dog was an older rescue; he passed away in June. We were looking (or I should say I was looking!) for another rescue past the puppy stage – but somehow we ended up with 2 lab puppies instead. What mayhem! We love them to pieces, but they certainly require a lot of work! Excellent decision on the older dog on your part!

    66. Lin

      Oh he is beautiful! Yes ya’ll will have lots to get use to with him, but in the end the unconditional love he will give you will be more than worth it! So happy you got a rescue.

    67. Liz

      Congratulations! He is gorgeous. I’ve had the honor of sharing my life with 8 rescue dogs over the years (not all at once!) and I can assure you that you will never regret your choice. Any love you give him will be returned tenfold.

    68. Olivia

      Love the story and love his soulful looking eyes. What a beautiful dog. One question though. What is a nickname for Sebastian?

    69. Sherry K

      We adopted our dog as a rescue (they brought him up from AL) as well. Have had him for about 6 months now and he is SO much better behaved. He just needed some consistency in his life and was able to relax. Doing some basic dog training helps a lot. I think it’s really us who need the training so we learn how to speak their language. There’s a great book called, The Other End of the Leash that might help if you can’t do training right away. He’s beautiful. Good Luck.

    70. Lucy

      So glad you found each other!!! Enjoy!! His sure is a handsome, gentle guy 🙂

    71. Chris

      We had a similar situation in April. I was learning how to deal with Adrenal issues and was told by my doctor I needed to reduce stress. We lost our dog of 12 years about five years ago. I didn’t think another dog could replace Willy. Within the week of learning about the adrenal failure, a friend told me about a dog that needed a home. We had talked about another dog but weren’t sure we were ready to deal with the responsibilities again. Well, I went to meet Cocoa Belle (a golden doodle who is silver!). She jumped in my lap and came home home for a trial weekend. Well, Belle has been with us for five months and we cannot be more in love. She has made such a difference in our home. I cannot imagine our home without her and the joy she has brought. Congratulations on Sebastian! He is a beautiful dog and is sure to bring many years of joy to your home.

    72. FIL

      FfL and MIL are looking forward to getting to know our new grandog. What a great match. Jeff and I will celebrate at Anita’s.

    73. Jerry Stocks

      I am waiting for communication from the Corgi Rescue to replace my fourteen year old corgi that I lost several months ago. Rescue dogs are great and Sebastian looks so happy. I know he is enjoying his new home. Both the dog and your family are privileged to have adopted each other.

    74. Alice

      Oh, how I loved this story, I think it’s your best (sorry). You have done a good thing and those boys will always remember their first dog, their buddy. They’ll tell their children about it when they get a dog for them. You will learn to love that little guy, he’ll be a faithful companion and don’t think they can’t read your mind! My dog could tell when I was sad and refused to leave my side when my husband left me and the four kids for a newer model.
      Two years ago I began looking for a dog at our local shelter. On about the fourth visit I saw her as a turned the corner into a new corridor of pens. She was a mess, was in desperate need of grooming and as I later learned, some serious dental care but even through the matted white fur, I could see her smile and I knew she was saying, “pick me, please, pick me!! And I did. I picked her because she was ten years old and nobody loved her… or cared how she’d end up. I was also afraid a family with young children would take and that scared me. She’s so teeny, 3 1/2 lbs. and way too fragile for gregarious children.
      We’ve been together two years now, Lily, the Maltese and the two black and white cats. We’re all pretty old, them in animal years and me in human years. I wonder who will go first, I hope it them because I worry about who will care for them as I do.

      If you want a true friend, get a dog, it’s unconditional love. You did GOOD!!

    75. Jan Mennella

      Based on the number of comments your story has really touched the heart of many people. I love anything with fur and have adopted many dogs,and cats through the years. My first rescue was when I was a junior in college. I have loved and lost many beloved pets and there is nothing in the world like having a furry one in your home. I now have 2 dogs, my female soothes my soul and my male makes me laugh as he is such a goof ball. My cat brings me such joy and happiness the way only an animal can. Your family is blessed to have such a wonderful addition. The boys look thrilled and you did a wonderful thing for a dog that just wanted a family of his own. He is a real handsome guy. Congrats and many happy years to you all

    76. Sarah

      Congratulation on your newest family member! And thanks so much for adopting a rescue mutt too. Rescue dogs are the best! Sebastian looks really sweet and smart. I foster rescues and have raised now 5 dogs of my own and I have learned the secret to a good dog…

      A good dog is a tired dog! Several daily walks will help tire them out and give them mental stimulation, both are good for you too.

    77. Hillary

      Congratulations! It would appear that you and Jeff both got what you were looking for! Sebastian was waiting for you all along….it almost makes me teary *sniff*. I’m so happy for you.

    78. Linda

      Wellcome to the wonderful world of 4 legged friends!

    79. Ruth

      So glad that you finally jumped into the dog pool, so to speak. Just remember to give this new pup plenty of attention, even when it’s not particularly convenient for you. I find that it’s the biggest reason dog adoptions don’t work. Family wants dog, family gets dog, family goes on as usual, not realizing the dog requires active love – sweet talk, belly rubs, ear scritches and long, soulful walks – to make owning the dog rewarding on both sides. I know you’ll do great, Marian. Just keep this thought in the back of your mind if you notice Sebastian acting up. A little extra attention can go a long way! ❤️

    80. Cheryl

      What a wonderful story! Call it fate or just coincidence, but things happen for a reason and I think everyone and every dog won here! Your boys look so happy and think what a wonderful difference you will make in all their lives. Love it!

    81. Jelena

      Congrats on the new addition to your family! He looks very handsome.

      Make sure you feed him good food (no grocery store brands or Science Death, I mean, Science Diet). That will save you a lot on future vet bills. If you plan to groom at home, get a deshedding comb, a regular bristle brush, good dog shampoo, a pair of nail clippers, and some good dog grooming clippers. With his heavy coat, he will need to be brushed regularly to minimize the amount of shedding. Teach the boys how to brush him with the regular bristle brush, and have that as their weekly chore. That would help mom and dad a lot with cleaning the house and dealing with matted fur.

      As for beds, different dogs have different preferences. Our late English Setter loved his West Paw Design beds (made in USA from recycled materials, machine washable covers), but our new little Irish Setter girl hasn’t taken to them yet. Also, different dogs have different toy preferences, but I have yet to meet one who would refuse chewing on a deer or elk antler or entertaining himself (herself) with a classic Kong toy stuffed with food, or treats, or some other goodies. My Irish lass loves her Kong stuffed with a mixture of mashed banana and unsalted peanut butter and then frozen. Great summer treat!

      Last but not least, you have to think of who you will leave Mr. Sebastian with when the whole family has to go out of town. Make sure you have a petsitter picked out in case relatives can’t take care of him. A good site to check would be DogVacay, where you can book your dog’s stay online. Email me privately if you’d like a coupon for $10 off Sebastian’s first stay with any DogVacay sitter (no expiration date).

      Most of all, have fun with your new furry friend!

    82. Judianni

      Congratulations on the new member of your family! Nothing I know of enhances family life as much as a dog…they give love unconditionally and want so desperately to please you. What wonderful companions they are. Does he sleep in the beds with the boys yet!?! Our rescue dog helped our son grow from a timid little guy into a brave, self confident young man. Enjoy your new lifestyle.

    83. Melissa Leach

      Congratulations on the adoption of Sebastian! He is very handsome boy. I am so happy you found each other. Your boys are at a great age to have a dog to love and care for. Life will never be the same. You thought you were past the days of toys left on the floor, lol now it will be dog toys. .

      We have a 12 yr old Shih Tzu, Grace, from a breeder and we have 6 yr old Shih Tzu, Glory, a rescue. Let me tell you, I truly love both the girls but our rescue -there is something about her. She really lights up my life. I’m sure Sebastian will do the same for your family.

      My pet care suggestion is to do your homework when purchasing your food and treats. So many products on the market these days are not healthy. Best of luck. I’m so happy for all of you.

    84. andrea

      He is beautiful – I’m so happy that your happy family found him.

    85. Mary Noyes

      He is awesome!!! Can I ask where you get your roll of paper from that you have in your vintage paper holder? I scored a holder over the weekend and I’m now on a mission to find the paper rolls that are 15 inches to fit it.

    86. Jessica | Petal + Ply

      How fun! Congrats on the new addition to your family.

    87. Penny

      Marion,

      What wonderful news. I am extremely happy for all of you. A tip I wanted to share is that dogs can’t tolerate chocolate, grapes or raisins well, and they can be harmful. I hope you have many happy memories with him.

      Take care,

      Penny

    88. shar y

      What a great story! Dogs are the best and it looks like you got a good one. Best advice I can give: Make him a member of the family! Taking him to work with you is great! He will be such a companion.

    89. Judy Williams

      Wow — I think this blog post has more comments than I have seen before — and you always get a lot of comments. CONGRATULATIONS on your beautiful rescue. As someone mentioned he has beautiful “soulful” eyes. We have two rescues from puppy mills — two Havanese mommas that each spent two years locked in cages with no positive human interaction producing puppies that either go to “brokers” who act like they are reputable breeders on the internet or go to pet stores. Our girls have learned how to be dogs in the years they have been with us (8 years) and it has been so rewarding to be part of their journey. It sounds like you hit the jackpot with your instant dog — I hope your family has many wonderful years of love with your new family member. Also I hope he learns to do a good job painting!!!!

    90. Jackie B.

      Yay for Sebastian! He is quite beautifulI and he is a good fit for your family! Thank you for making him happy as well as your kiddos! You did good, Girl!

    91. Robin Ramsey Leach

      Oh, he’s a cutie! I love my dogs, but the mess is INTENSE. My best piece of advice is to get yourself a Roomba vacuum and use her every day. I named mine Rosie, and she is my BFF!

    92. Cheryl Christian

      I’m so very happy for you and your family. We rescued our dog just over a year ago. Love her to pieces, she filled our empty nest home and we couldn’t be happier.
      Just one word of caution, guard her carefully. We had just gone outside and mistakenly waited to leash her, she saw a squirrel across the street and ran after it just as a car was coming. She was hit and suffered a dislocated hip and fractured pelvis. Happy to say she is doing fine after two surgeries and more than a few thousand dollars. Lesson learned the hard way! It’s been worth all the expense and months of care, we just love her!
      May you have many happy and safe years with Sebastian!
      p.s. I love your work and enjoy your posts so much!

    93. Sue P.

      I am so happy that you adopted Sebastian. We have two rescued basset-mix dogs, Bonnie and Clyde, who are probably around 9 years old now. They bring joy to us each day. Because of them, my husband and I spend more time together and take more walks and more day-trip adventures to state parks, easy mountain hikes, etc. When I worked at the Library of Congress, I brought home 3-4 books a week…hundreds of books. The only book either dog ever chewed up was one of Cesar Milan’s books about how to train your dog! So obviously, our dogs can read!
      We’ve spent a lot of money at the veterinarian because of them, but every penny was spent in Love!
      Sue P.

    94. Dottie

      Wow, Marian! You have so many readers who are animal lovers! I have nothing to add except that it does my heart good to know that so many people care about their dogs. Thank you for rescuing Sebastian and giving him a forever home. It is a wonderful thing. The rewards will be many!

    95. lynne

      oh my gosh….. another great adoption story!! my husband and i have rescued 2 girls…. 2 mutts of questionable heritage; but the joy that they have brought to our lives is immeasurable!! after a while, you will question who rescued whom…..and celebrate that you found each other at just the right time in your lives….. i don’t believe in coincidences; so i have always believed that God gave us Liddy (our number one girl) right before we lost my husband’s mother…. and then we got Lucy (our number 2 sweetie) 3 days after we lost Liddy….. we were inconsolable until Lucy rode up in a truck and jumped into our lives!!!! congrats to your family of 5!! do check out the nutrition of your dog food and treats…. the black colored kong is great, and has outlasted the red one as our Lucy is hard on toys…..and watch the table scraps!! it just was so much simpler (and healthier for our girls) not to promote hanging around the table for a handout!! and one last scrap of advice: tell Sebastian every day how much you love him….he will just beam!!!!!! all the best, lynne
      p.s. ooops…. almost forgot….. watch the bathroom wastebaskets….. lucy LOVES used kleenex and dental floss; and uses them for decor!!!!!

    96. Lisa

      Welcome to the dog world! You made a great choice; he’s adorable. Dogs are such a blessing! Check the Harry Barker sight for dog “stuff”.

    97. Marlene Stephenson

      It is so wonderful that you found a good dog for everyone, the boys seem to be so happy, have fun and enjoy.

    98. Cathy Elkiss

      GREAT story, Marian . . . and great pictures, too! I couldn’t be more delighted that Sebastian has the perfect home with folks who love him! Much continued good luck to all of you, and I look forward to more stories about “our boy” in the future. Say “Hello” to Marshall and Calvin from me, and give Sebastian a big hug from us! Thanks again – we’ll stay in touch!

    99. Patty

      Every child EVERY child deserves to have a pet. They will tell them things that they would never dream of telling you. I am so happy you did this because I truly believe there is a special kind of Karma for people that rescue animals.

    100. Kay

      Wonderful for the family and wonderful for Sebastain. He is so photogenic, would not be surprised if his “likeness” shows up on some of you painted furniture. ❤️
      ,

    101. Katy

      Rescue dogs are the best, so happy for all of you.

      • cindy reed

        me too, I believe in rescue animals, I myself am a cat rescuer—I have 9 of them, mostly outside but in at nite — if I ever got a dog which I may someday it would be a rescue, my son got a rescue lab–I grew up with a dog and his dog was the best I have ever known. So happy for all of you and your kids who will learn there’s so much more to him than just a dog…thanks for sharing.

    102. Kathie

      So glad you got a rescue dog. I was getting a little worried about where this was going. Afraid Jeff would get his pure breed dog. There are so many dogs in shelters that are a day away from being euthanized. He will change your life and you will feel like the lucky one (instead of him) before long!

    103. Mary Ann

      Oh my, he is sooo beautiful. Very photogenic! Congratulations.

    104. Susan NJ

      Wishing your family all the best with Sebastian. My dog Rosie was a rescue from TN, brought to NJ last December.
      She came all trained, new some commands, and is supper friendly. A new member of the family!

    105. GS Small

      Congrats on getting a rescue dog. I have a wonderful rescue cat — the last in a very long (82 years) and sometimes populous family of rescued animals, all of whom will live forever in my heart of hearts. I pity the poor child who must grow up in a home without a furry friend (whether it woofs or meows) with whom to share his/her life. It was Mark Twain who said: “A home without a cat — and a well-fed, well-petted and properly revered cat — may may be a perfect home, perhaps, but how can it prove title?” Ditto for dogs. What’s a little dog or cat hair, compared to the benediction of kitty or doggy love?

    106. jacqueline pankuck

      I happened to meet Sebastian today…picking up antique sheets. He is even more gorgeous than the pics show and is a complete love…

    107. Gabrielle

      Congratulations on your new family member, and welcome to you, Sebastion. I look forward to hearing all about you!

    108. JM

      Best post ever! He will bring you so much joy! Lucky Parsons Family and Lucky Sebastian!

    109. Karen

      He’s very handsome. Rescue dogs are the best, I have two presently!!!

    110. Colleen

      Sebastian is so lucky to have been adopted by your family. I have adopted two rescue dogs that were also beyond the puppy stage. Our experience has been it takes the dog a year to feel secure and a true part of the family. The dogs get on the furniture but I love snuggling with them so the furniture is showing dog hair but that is a small price to pay for all the loving. Congratulations on your new addition!

    111. AnnW

      He can have a little corral or pen at the studio. You don’t have to let him roam free and step into the paint. I’m glad you did this. Kids love to have a snuggly pet.

    112. Dee Stutts

      This is awesome Marion! Congratulations of the new addition to the family. The boys must be in seventh heaven! My only suggestion is to look into tick meds or alternative tick treatments. We live in Pennsylvania as well and with the white tailed deer population being what it is…Lymes disease is a real risk for the dog as well as your family. I’m speaking from experience…prevention is key. The deer ticks are the size of a pepper speck and not everyone gets the ‘bulls-eye rash’ as an alert. If caught early, treatment with antibiotics helps but if not, can be quite debilitating.

    113. Rose

      Sebastian is beautiful. I dare say he is part “Gordon Setter” with the long black hair. I’ve had two and they were fantastic pets. Rescue dogs are the best! They seem to be so grateful for everything and don’t take anything for granted. So happy for all of you.

    114. Carol

      My feeling is that a dog really makes a house a home! Enjoy Sebastion!

    115. Kelly P

      He is beautiful! One of our rescues is a border collie/sheltie mix and is the smartest, sweetest girl in the world. Congratulations – you will adore him!!!

    116. debra Packard

      It was great meeting Sebastian today, he is a very sweet dog and is a great addition to your family. Friends of ours had a dog that they trained to ring a bell by the door when he needed to go outside. I always thought that was a great idea.

    117. Joanne B.

      You just did such a good thing for your boys! This will expose them to true unconditional love as well as responsibility. Make sure they are involved in the walking and feeding and brushing and yes, even poop patrol! Yes, poop is gross, but it’s part of owning a dog. Don’t get casual on this- you need to reinforce the dog is very much their job, because when the novelty wears off (and it will ) YOU will be the one left to do it all, on top of everything you already do now! So thrilled to know you opened your heart and home to this dog and gave him a forever home! He will love those boys and vice versa! And you all will never be the same knowing you changed his life too!

    118. Pattyk

      He is beautiful and looks so sweet. Congratulations on your new family member!

    119. Mary

      He’s BEAUTIFUL!!!! Good age. Rescue dogs just seem to KNOW they are loved and are therefore better family pets. You’ll get it. I’ve learned doggies don’t have accidents – people forget – to give them their time outdoors.
      Never hit. Never yell. They are very sensitive to voice and they have a sense if you’re upset with them without even saying it. All they need is food, love, a walk now and then and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! They will LOVE you back many times over 🙂 Welcome Sebastian!! What a pretty boy you are!

    120. Carol Ivy

      So happy for your family. Our rescue was a little older when we got him and it was lovely not to have to deal with the training and chewing that comes with a puppy. Our son grew up with him and it is a bond that can’t be explained. Not sure if you have a Costco or Sams near you but they both have great dog beds at inexpensive prices. My biggest advise is not to give Sebastion those Greenie treats. They claim they are great, but our dog Jack was the same size as yours and he swallowed half of it without chewing (they do that alot) and it almost killed him because it wouldn’t digest. I had to rush him to an emergency center at 3:00 in the morning so they could flush his system out to melt it down. Honestly, milk bones and items like that are the best or a boiled beef bone every once in a while (the butcher at the grocery store will give you one for free if you ask). Another great thing about dogs is while they may shed, they also eat all the food you drop on the floor by accident, its a great little vacuum system. Enjoy your new baby!!

    121. Barbara

      Congratulations Parson Family!!! He is so so cute. I can’t wait to meet him. I love what you did with the jar:-) I will have to bring some refill of healthy treats the next time I visit. I agree about the tick treatment if you don’t already have some. I am sure if you are taking him for a vet check they will tell you about tick prevention. Have fun.

    122. Naomi S.

      Oh, my gosh, Sebastian is a handsome fellow! He has just such a presence, even from the pictures.’ And those boys of yours are pretty darn handsome and cute, too! The one on the right in the photo looks so like you, Marian! Couldn’t tell about the other one as I couldn’t quite see his whole face. Maybe he takes after his dad a little more. It’s really great for Calvin and Marshall to have a doggie to love. They will learn a lot about kindness and responsibility and just plain joy in another being.

      I never was a dog person. I grew up with cats, mainly. But when my girls wore me down about getting a puppy, at one point I couldn’t take their pleading anymore and said okay. So we went to the animal shelter and selected a darling little black pup. I wasn’t thrilled about house training her and getting her to sleep all night, etc. But as we got those things conquered, I became rather fond of her. She was what I refer to as “the stubbornest dog on the face of the earth”, however. Despite that, I soon fell in love with her. It was a sort of spiritual experience to realize that even though she seemed so totally “other” than I, we communicated in the most specific ways. To me, the fact that she could “tell” me when she needed to go out, or when she wanted food or to play and I knew what she wanted was miraculous. This may sound pretty sappy, but after getting to know and love Chloe I was hooked on dogs. I’ve had one–sometimes two- ever since. My current one is a black, curly-coated Labradoodle who doesn’t shed and is a big lover. His name is Tavi and I am in love with him, too. So, now I am a “Dog Person”! Sounds like you are on your way to becoming one, too, Marian! Welcome to the club!

    123. Mary

      Grocery store bags work just fine for poop bags 🙂 They get sunburn, believe it or not – so watch over exposure to the sun especially since he’s got a black coat – they will get really sick from sunburn.
      Always have water! Duuhh…
      Hope your readers will see LOTS of pictures of him in the future 🙂
      Can you tell I love doggies????? (sorry)

    124. Traci H

      I have two dogs passed out next to me as I type — a purebred Bloodhound and a rescue Lab mix (also transported from Arkansas). These dogs are a part of the family. I work from home and they are so great to have in my office, my quilting room, the garden, anywhere. You have truly given your ENTIRE family the most amazing gift. Enjoy your new family member.

    125. Lisa

      Congratulations on the new addition to your family. He is beautiful.

    126. Kate

      The single greatest tool our vet introduced me to is the furminator brush. It stops the tremendous amounts of hair she produces. She loves to be brushed now. You won’r regret purchasing one.

    127. Donna Doble-Brown

      Oh my gosh! He’s precious! I don’t know why I’m crying . . . I guess I remember when I got my first dog as an adult when my children were very small . . . It was THE best thing I ever did . . . For me, and them! Yes it’s work . . But the JOY he will bring you all will far outweigh the dog chores!

      Oh Marian . . . I was visiting a dear friend in Sturbridge MA and she was showing me the chair she just re-upholstered! First try! I was telling her YOU would be impressed! She did an outstanding job! Using a floral on the front and a beige solid on the back with the floral piping! It really was stunning . . . Anyway I said she needs to check out your website! So fun . . . Now I need to find a piece to try myself. . . Lol

    128. Chris Moore

      That dog is gorgeous! His markings remind me of the tortoise shell cat breed. I agree with all the postings that rescue animals are the best, I can’t even tell you how many cats I have taken in.. But I am SO impressed with your parents for making sure that their problem cat went to a good home AND THEN FOLLOWING UP with visits/food and litter. So many people would have just taken her to the pound and maybe/maybe not felt bad. Your parents are very good people!!!!! Just sayin’.

    129. Kathy

      so happy he’s a rescue, i have always gotten rescues, nothing better, congratulations he’s beautiful.

    130. Kristin

      I had a dog named Sebastian when I was growing up.

    131. Lynn

      Sebastian is so beautiful. Enjoy this wonderful blessing in your lives.

    132. Red Ca

      Happy boy!
      Funny…ten years ago my teenager was frantic to have “her own” dog. We had an older doxie that was glued to me and The Kid just kept wanting to get her own doxie. So one day I agreed to just look at a dog she found on a rescue site. It was 30 miles out of town but the people sounded good and she fit my criteria: female. Min 4 yrs old. Housebroken. Fixed. So we went to see. As we got out of the car at their ranch, a couple dozen dogs met us of many different breeds & sizes. We spoke to the lady who walked us over to where her husband was cuddling the little girl in question. The Kid loved her. So pretty. Exactly what we wanted. But when I attempted to touch her she snarled and tried to bite. Dogs always like me so I was surprised. Tried again. The ranch owner was surprised too–said that never happened. My daughter had picked up a non-pretty little chiweinie boy who kept Sproinging up trying to get her to pick him up. I told her we were not taking a biting dog. She was bitterly disappointed. We asked the lady about a couple of other doxies there but they weren’t a good fit. So I was ready to go.
      But the tired little Chiweinie had gone to sleep in my Kids arms. She asked the lady if she could adopt him. I shook MY head No. ( he was a He. He was a 9 month old pup. Not housebroken. With an overbite). The lady said Nope. Her husband wanted to keep him. The Kid begged. The lady asked if we had a pool? I said yes. The lady said Nope. They had had a dog go to a new home & drowned. My Kid said “I’ll teach him to swim!” Lady said Nope. I said No.
      Well…the Kid kept up the pressure on me for the next 7 days. She begged. She promised. She was relentless. And she had saved the $175 adoption fee out of babysitting money. She MADE ME call the ranch the next week.
      You know what happened, right? We drove 30 miles the next week to pay $175 for the absolute wrong dog for our home. The Kid spent the next week forcing that little guy to learn to swim and how to get out of the pool by himself. (He needed that skill a few months later when he fell in chasing a squirrel!). And he managed to chew off most of the claw foot on my newly refinished gorgeous antique dining table a week after we got him. Plus, he peed in a corner of the kitchen when he felt like it for the next 11 years. And, we spent a ridiculous amount of money this year on doggie dentist as he struggled with mouth ulcers. The Kid married a guy who didn’t love dogs so he lived with us all the way to the end of his life in May, 2016. And the guy fell in love with the weird looking little chiweinie and finally got his bride 2 new dogs of their own. Rescue dogs are their own kind of wonderful aren’t they?

    133. Angela

      Sebastian is beautiful and your boys look so happy!!

    134. Jennifer

      Hi Marian
      I love the pic with your son in his jammies, walking with Sebastian. To me, you’re like a celebrity, and it’s so nice to know that you were humble enough to get a rescue dog. (Even if you did not and got a pedigree because Jeff wanted one, that’s perfectly ok too).

      Sebastian seems to make the picture of your family complete. Also his coat of uneven colors complements your profession, like he’s been painted a mixture of colors and “distressed” a little here and there. I look forward to seeing more pics of him. So happy for you and your family.

    135. tamara nelson

      love the dog so happy for you. I wanted to know if you would also like to sell the paper cutter with the string on top you showed it in the picture with the dog biscuits I have been looking for one like that everywhere please please let me know one way or another . Good luck with your wonderful dog tammy nelson

    136. Chelsea

      This is awesome news! I am a veterinary technician so if you have any questions, feel free to send me an email:) I would love to help out my idol! I actually am planning to start a diy type blog soon with a bunch of projects, including dog stuff… So maybe we could share some tips? I have no idea how any of this blog stuff works or how to even start! I have a zoo of my own here at the house so I may have some tips for you there too, most just sweep. A LOT. lol.

      Start off by finding a vet in your area and get established. Just go in for a general wellness exam. That way is you ever have an emergency, you have someone to call (most vets will not see you after hours if you are not their client). Get started on heartworm and flea prevention and have a fecal parasite exam to make sure he doesn’t have anything that could be passed on to your kids. Worms are easily treated if he happens to have them! But most of all, love him! Dogs are wonderful creatures that can teach us compassion, patience, and love. Congratulations!

    137. Lynne Brundage

      Enjoy him! We rescued our Boston Terrier Winston over a year ago . He’s 9 years old now and is a fixture in our shop. We love that he can spend his day with us, and Winston loves that he gets to meet new and old friends every day. He’s such a sociable guy that regular customers always come by and ask for him first!

      You and your studio visitors will love that Sebastian is there…you’ll soon wonder how you lived without him!

    138. WendyJ

      My first shih-tzu had the name Sebastian! By the way….your new family addition is quite the handsome guy!

    139. Karin

      Congratulations! What a beautiful boy! Pets are so good for the family and especially for children growing up. It is good for them to learn to love and take care of an animal. That is wonderful that you have chosen a rescue! We have had a few in our time too. Now we have a purebred Pembroke Corgi from a reputable breeder and she is absolutely wonderful! So…whatever dog you chose, whether they be a rescue or from a good breeder EVERY pet needs a good home, love and a family. They are all wonderful in their own right! Have fun and enjoy!

    140. Cheryl

      So happy for you and your beautiful dog!
      We rescued a little Chi mix a year ago Labor Day.
      She was just about 2, house and crate trained.
      She had been dropped off at a shelter down south with newborn puppies.
      I saw her picture online and knew she was the spunky little sweetheart I was looking for.
      After a long trip north, we met and that was it. We brought her home and she slept through the night
      without a peep. No accidents either!
      I have one little tip for removing dog hair from your furniture.
      Put on a rubber glove and brush in one direction.
      The hair will roll up in a bunch and you can lift it off.
      Wishing you many years of dog love!

    141. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

      So happy you have decided to give Sebastian a loving home! He will be so happy in your lovely home! What a handsome dog he is! Your family will really enjoy having a pet. Every family needs a dog to love and care for — and spoil! You are just going to love this cute dog.

      Enjoy your Sebastian!

    142. Peggy

      This story makes me so happy. I have had a dog in my life since I was 4 and they have all been rescues. Sebastian is a lucky dog to be a part of your family. He is so handsome and you can see the goodness in his eyes.

    143. Gig Schaeffer

      What a wonderful story, it’s pretty evident Sebastian was supposed to be yours. You can see the love in the boys eyes already. He is a handsome dog and I wish you much enjoyment and love with him. Thanks for making him a happy puppy! ?❤️?

    144. Catherine

      Longtime reader but sporadic commenter… I have to say, this post put a huge smile on my face! He seems like the perfect fit for your family. And he is so very beautiful. I’m glad you held out for a rescue dog that was past the puppy phase. I adopted my border collie mix when she was about 1 and already housebroken and it was a great decision. This pup will be a great friend for your boys.

      As far as tips… I think this is a great opportunity for you to make him a bed from a hemp sheet and post a tutorial! 😉

    145. Fiona

      So happy for you!! Best purchase ever. My little dog just sits by me as I paint and I love having a studio dog also 🙂

    146. shirley wells

      Your beautiful post has touched my heart. My eyes are full of tears thinking how lucky Sebastian and your family are to find each other. Thank you for making my night and my heart feel so full of happiness. I hope your family, especially your boys, have many years with Sebastian.

    147. Sara Jo Floyd of Bryarton Farm

      What a perfect example of how God works! He granted the dreams of four people and even the longing’s of a dog in one happy day! { I will say, I had 2 Border Collies growing up and both died young from chasing cars and getting hit. They just can’t stop the urge to chase being bred to herd. We lived in the country where leashes and fences didn’t exist though. So as long as you keep him away from cars they are a very smart and a great family breed!} A dog changes you into a better version of your self. This was a very good idea! So Happy for you, Congrats!

    148. Suzi

      Dog ownership got better once we got a Roomba. 🙂

    149. Bambi Mayer

      I can’t imagine our family without a dog. We have three (two are rescues) and we love them to death.
      Congratulations on your new family member!!

    150. Michele

      12 years ago we adopted a border collie/spaniel mix who was about 9 months old. She has been the sweetest dog and so smart! Congrats on your new family member.

    151. Vickie

      Your dog reminds me of our dog when I was a little girl. Blackie was an all black cocker spaniel mutt. She was the best dog ever. Enjoy your new baby.

    152. Jennefer Elie

      I have had dogs all my life and the memories I have if all of them are priceless. My angel, Godric, is asleep on the floor next to me as I write this. He just gave me the look that said, “it is time to go to bed Momma”. This love is so precious, and so special, and will change your life. I also commend you on going for a rescue, instead of a breeder. There are so many dogs in cats in need, and every one rescue is one less dog missing out on the joys of life!

      The biggest tip I have….keep up with clipping their nails. I am horrible about this and am reminded of the effect this can have on the dog. The longer between the trimmings, the longer the quick will grow. That means more trimming more often, which is a total pain.

      Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of pet ownership. And don’t worry….you will get used to the dog hair EVERYWHERE!!!!

    153. Donna

      My Grandfather put my first dog in my crib and that’s when my love affair with dogs began! I have three sons who grew up with our golden retriever, Maggie and although she’s been gone for a few years, they look forward to seeing our two terriers on trips back home from college. Your lives will be even better by including this loyal friend and companion-Congrats!

    154. KJ

      You will never have to go to the bathroom alone again !!! Your heart will melt when you see your boys filled with so much love and affection for this dog. Your heart will melt when you see your dog love your boys so completely and so adamantly 🙂 Keep him close by….awful terrible people steal dogs these days for bad bad things….medical testing, bait for dog fighting, or just for evil. It is your job to protect him, as he will do the same for you. Enjoy your sweet new member of the family.

    155. B Folk

      I got teary-eyed reading this post! What a big thing for Calvin to become so attached to Sebastian, how wonderful! Both boys look so happy with him. He will keep you healthy with “enforced walking”. He will help the boys use up their extra energy. He will be a comfort to have in the home when Jeff is away, and a comfort for Jeff when you are away. One thing: no matter how civilized and obedient the dog, don’t ever get between him and a full dog dish…a hungry dog can snap at his owner for this infringement. I learned that early on. Make sure the boys feed him and let him be until he’s finished.
      (hmmm, a line of “Mustardized” , grain-sack dog beds?)
      May God bless you with many happy years with Sebastian.

    156. Patricia

      Your dog will love your family unconditionally. And add a special dimension to your life. Their nails can be hard on your floors so just accept that you will need to do a little more maintenance. There are great recipes for homemade dog treats. And i can see a galvanized tub/dog bath in your future.

    157. Julie M.

      I’m so happy for you!! God is so good.

    158. Eleanor in NW Montana

      You will wonder how you lived for so long without him! A tip on the nails- the little round sander on the dremmel tool works great. Also, brush his teeth. My girlfriend and I are looking forward to meeting you in Kalispell on November 12!!

    159. Michelle Cullen

      I always say that all nice people are dog people (which of course isn’t true) but my friends laugh at me…. Everywhere I go my rescue dog is, although she has less park etiquette than any other dog I know. Enjoy the newest member of the family and remember – no chalk paint on the dog…. (only because I sometimes mess paint on poor Angel).

    160. Pamela Bold

      Congratulations and Blessings to you on your new family member! Rescue dogs have a way of capturing your hearts and making the simple things in life more meaningful and memorable. Tips from my experience with a rescue dog, adopted in May of this year (a match made in Heaven): Petco has a free tote bag full of coupons and goodies for new rescue “parents.” My local vet offered a discount on vaccinations and first appointment – and the staff there is so supportive, kind, and loving (in Maine). The best tips come from chats with other local dog owners on your walks and from your local vet and your local groomer. Enjoy your new adventures!

    161. Sam Taylor

      You’ll be a great dog mum ? I have four mad but adorable English Cocker Spaniels. One we’ve had since a pup and the other three are older rescues who desperately needed a loving, calm, patient home to adjust to life out of a dark tiny crate where they had been kept since birth. It’s taken time for my rescue girls to adapt and gain confidence, but everyday I see them get braver and stronger and it’s so heart warming to see them find themselves again. My rescue girls all came with numerous health problems but after a bit or research and some guidance from a vet friend, I’ve switched them all to a raw diet and I can’t tell you the improvement it has made. Not only do they love their food even more now, they have the cleanest teeth from gnawing on bones and the shiniest coats and brightest eyes, their health issues have either cleared up or significantly reduced. Definitely worth considering. Well done for giving Sebastian a home. I’m sure he will love his knew family as much as you love him xx

    162. Diane

      We have had dogs all our lives and then all our kids lives (my kids are 25 and 35 now). When we moved down to Portugal we took our cat and our westie who were both getting on a bit, our cat Kadbury who was 14 died about a year after we moved and Sarah our Westie died last year at 14 and a half. In the mean time we rescued a kitten on a cold winters night from outside of a hotel, the hotel staff had been throwing fish heads at her to keep her away from the front door of the hotel…we heard her screaming at the top of her voice, I put her inside my jacket and she fell fast to sleep in the taxi home! The vet reckoned she was about 3 months old. Our apartment was on the top floor of a 2 storey apartment block and the balconies were in line with the roofs of the surrounding houses…there was a family of feral cats that would travel around the roofs and that’s how we got our second cat…she eventually moved over with us over to our villa!
      The pup we have now was put over our garden wall (people do that here in Portugal)….he was 2 months old, so thin you could see his ribs and back bone, he had a zoo on him and was full of parasites plus he had both types of mange….the builders called him the terrorista! I have to agree with them he was a terrible thief, he would steal their lunches out of their bags and their tools and we had to go through that puppy stage…I think he probably destroyed in the region of about 1000 Euros worth of stuff, including bras (mine) air con remotes, my mobile phone, 2 pairs of designer sun glasses 1 pair of those were a friends, shoes, outdoor furniture….however, he is a grown up dog now at 2 years old, he goes everywhere with us even to the office, lays on his blanket in the office and is a really happy chappy! He still loves going down women’s bags though…a friend of ours would bring him treats over in her bag and now he thinks all women’s bags have treats in them and if he can’t find a treat he will pull out things he likes..blusher brushes, combs!
      They bring a whole new element to your life, they bring lots of joy, laughter, sometimes they will drive you bonkers but all the animals are a big part of our lives. All our animals are really vocal, our indoor cat says hello…well it sounds like hello to anyone who has heard her, the outdoor cat says “no” when I ask her if she wants her dinner and the pup sounds like he is laughing sometimes and I am sure he is trying to talk to us! Are we bonkers yep totally! I know one thing for sure, if you have a dog then you will begin to know lots of people….my husband before our Westie died became the man with the white dog and complete strangers would come up to him in town when he was out by himself to be asked where is your dog! You will lose weight and the best part is coming home when you have been out for just 5 minutes and they will greet you like you have been away for days! This dog was meant to be in your family it was fate that you met and you are one of life’s hero’s for taking him home! Tip…collies are working dogs and can get bored..so maybe getting one of those jackets where they carry things around will wear him out!

    163. Robin

      I hope you have a moment to ryour boys ad this comment. We had our border collie”Jamie” for 12 wonderful years. Your Sebastian looks to be one. You will love the breed, very intelligent, a natural herder, so loving. My children would literally ride on her back, wrestling, and generally having fun.
      One thing to keep in mind, they shed.
      ALOT!! Buy a brush and teach your boys to brush him outside! Good luck and God Bless!

    164. Debbie

      Such great memories for your entire family! There is nothing like a child’s memories of their first dog. Also, responsibilities, love, & adventures with the new 4 legged family member!

    165. Angie

      I get my dog beds from Dog Beds for Less on Amazon. They have a thick denim or canvas outer cover, a waterproof inner cover, and a memory foam center. Worth every penny-they last forever and are so easily washed!

    166. Kate Burris

      You WILL get tired of dog hair everywhere. You WILL get tired of figuring out what to do with the dog when you’re all traveling and and the dog can’t go along. You WILL find walks much less fun in the driving rain or blustery winter. You WILL gasp at vet bills for routine care not to mention illness or dog emergencies. You WILL find it annoying to rush home in order to care for the dog….trust me, you will. And you WILL wonder how you ever got along before this fur ball brought all that love to your household. Happy hounding !

    167. julie perun

      This post makes me so happy! I can’t remember a time that I haven’t had a dog, so we’re complete opposites on that. All I can say is that a dog brings a happiness, a comfort that is beyond description. Enjoy your new family member-I can see the boys already do!

    168. Cheryl

      Oh Marion, he’s beautiful! Sounds like he’s fallen right in there with his new “pack”?. My girl Shelby is my constant companion. Always ready for fun and nudges me when I get too serious to bring me back to reality?. She has filled a space in my heart that was broken having been through much loss and diagnosed with PTSD. She helps me feel safe and vulnerable again at the same time if that makes any sense. Enjoy your boy❤️. Your hearts will never be the same.❤️??

    169. Penny

      Sebastian is a handsome boy! I know you and your family are going to enjoy having him around. I do bookkeeping work for a Construction company and we have 4 dogs who are in our office almost every day. I’m not a “dog person” per se (I have 3 cats at home) but I love these dogs and love having them at work! Sometimes it’s nice to have a “scratch break” or to have one of them curl up under my desk and keep my feet warm. It really is a joy to have them around each day!!

    170. Diane

      Congrats on the new family member! He’s a handsome guy.
      After reading through most of the comments, some of which made me smh, my advice would be for you to find a reputable trainer to come to your house to do an evaluation on the dog. I’m sure he’s a complete sweeheart, but it’s best to really be sure. And there may be some human training needed as well. 🙂
      Best of luck with Sebastian!

    171. Laura Higgins

      What was your sons reaction when you said Sebastion was coming home with you? And

      Begin forwarded message:

      From: “Jerry and Joyce Pfleeger”
      Date: July 12, 2016 at 11:15:33 AM CDT
      To: “‘Sun Slater Sauer'” , “‘Sun Karen Ross'” , “‘Sun James Prince'” , “‘Jim Higgins'” , “‘Jim Vogas'”
      Subject: FW: Friendswood Trails – Points to Support

      FYI

      From: Parke Patterson [mailto:parkepatterson@hotmail.com]
      Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2016 11:03 AM
      To: Jamie Ashby; Craig Lovell; Jerry Pfleeger
      Subject: Friendswood Trails – Points to Support

      I believe these are points that should be made in writing, dialog and CC presentations. These are points we have made repeatedly in private and in public.
      Here is why the PUD Master Plan should be approved, why the PUD Master Plan is better than the existing zoning, and why the PUD Master Plan is a testament to good planning and land use for Friendswood.
      1. The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, it’s imagination. Imagining a better community because of better design, and respect for the surrounding properties, and cohesion of the land uses is what master planning is all about.

      2. The development will include improvements to drainage that residents are saddled with due to the design of the antiquated infrastructure and golf course.

      3. 4+ miles of trails at no cost to the City

      4. Proposed density of 1.6 units/acre when the City zoning allows 2.7 units/acre.

      5. Average lot size of 73’ under the PUD master plan presented.

      6. Every true master planned community in the Houston region, and for that matter the nation, has a mixture of lot sizes and home prices. It’s the true definition of master planning.

      7. A variety of lots sizes allows our Friendswood residents to move down or up in their housing choices and stay within Friendswood.

      8. A variety of housing choices allows our children to have opportunities to return and live in Friendswood.

      9. No special taxing district and low HOA dues means more people can afford more home.

      10. The future horseshoe park land is 3X the size of our valuable Stevenson Park. The residents want it to be preserved.

      11. The master plan shows land set aside to retain valuable trees, including trees seen and enjoyed by Sunmeadow residents.

      12. No fence-to-fence lots like the typical subdivisions all over Friendswood.
      13. The PUD Master Plan meets the criteria of the City of Friendswood Zoning Ordinance for PUDs. It’s the very reason that PUDs are allowed in Friendswood – cohesive, master planned development which goes over and beyond existing regulations to create a better community.
      14. This Master Plan does not use the PUD zoning to increase density. At 1.6 units/acre the density is 59% less than the allowable of 2.7 units/acre.
      The Friendswood Trails PUD Master Plan is what we want as citizens and voters of Friendswood versus the existing zoning.

      Existing Zoning:
      More lots, more traffic, less open space, no coordinated drainage, more cut-through traffic

      through Sunmeadow, loss of park space, loss of trees, loss of the 47 acres for a future planned park to benefit all of Friendswood, and currently zoned high density housing that could be rental.

      Thank You,
      Parke Patterson
      Land Development
      832-541-7275

    172. Suzann

      Hooray! Adopted dogs are great! I have a beagle named Jaxson 🙂 Sebastian will love your boys & family and be so protective, you’ll be amazed. Congratulations!!!!

    173. Nancy

      Congrats!! You have a special dog, he got to choose you! Your family will have wonderful memories and your boys will a great time.
      Nancy

    174. Janet Harding

      So does your husband like Sebastian too now that he’s home? It looks like the rest of you love him, and he is beautiful.

    175. Robin

      Sebastian looks great. The two best tips I have are 1. have your boys do a junior dog training class. If the dogs obey them, you are golden. it also teaches the boys how to handle dogs. 2. Buy an I robot vacuum. I run it at night or when I’m gone for the day and it gets the dog hair! So you aren’t pulling out the vacuum everyday. Hope you enjoy your pup.

    176. Lynda S.

      OMG! I have tears in my eyes. God is so good! HE brought you to Sebastian, and Sebastian to you. Of course he is exactly what you were looking for. Thank you for adopting him. He will give you and your family wonderful memories. 🙂

    177. CHRISTINE TRAVIS

      You’ll never be sorry. They add so much, to our live!

    178. Annie (Canada)

      Hi Marian, Congratulations on your families first ‘fur baby’! There is nothing like the unconditional love you will get from your dog <3 Some sage advice: Look into a some training classes, for the family not necessarily the dog, it will help you all to understand how a dog 'thinks'. Try to get all the family involved in feeding, walking and grooming him; this will help re-enforce the hierarchy of the 'pack' ie your family 🙂 Look into pet insurance; I don't know about the US but in Canada vet costs can get expensive. Most important…just love him and get used to having a shadow where ever you go 🙂 🙂

    179. Wendy H

      I am so happy for your family.

      I will be watching for tutorials for making pretty but still functional dog beds instead of the big blobs I have sitting in my house.

      PLease include him in your pictures like you did with the porch pictures.

    180. Terry Oliver

      Wow- you have a lot of advice here…congrats on the sweet dog! He’s beautiful! My one trick for you is- get yourself a “Gulpie”. It’s a doggie water bottle that clips on your belt. I found mine at TJ Maxx for a couple bucks. I have a black dog and when we walk, and the sun is out, he gets HOT and needs to hydrate!

      All the best, Terry

    181. Krista

      Congratulations! You & your family will love having dogs…they are the best! My dog is at my side almost always since I work from home. They are unconditional love, always happy to be with you, a comfort when you’re feeling down, funny and a best friend. Keep their nails trimmed, feed them a high quality food, daily walking and invest in a Furminator dog brush to help with the shedding. I think there is nothing better than kids growing up with dogs!

    182. Mary

      I am so happy for you all! God picked just the right dog for your family . He is the perfect age and so are your boys. Our dogs helped get our kids through the struggles of adolescence …… you will be so thankful that you have him in the coming years.
      We have fostered 49 dogs and my best advice would be to get a good quality kibble food and add some grated/chopped veggies.
      In the long run it will save you money in health care costs 🙂

      Blessings to All !

    183. Martha

      So sweet! We have three and it can be a little crazy, not to mention the dog hair mess, but we would not have it any other way!

    184. Kelly Haslup

      He is adorable! So glad he found his forever home. Dogs are truly amazing creatures. The work is worth it! They bring so much to our lives. Enjoy him. Kelly

    185. Em

      Congrats!! Glad you found the best dog for your family. As a non pet owner please just make sure you train your kids to always clean up the poop on walks and not let them leave it on neighbors yards. It frustrates me to no end how many dog surprises I find on my yard and it makes me upset because I don’t have a dog and I don’t like cleaning up after them. And I completely resent my neighbors who are lazy about their animals. It seems like you and your family will be different though just from what I can tell from reading your great blog and I am really genuinely happy for you! Good luck!

      • Miss Mustard Seed

        Oh, I am totally with you!! We had a neighbor who used to let his dog run over and poop in our yard when my boys were just babies and it always made me so upset. It was just so rude!

    186. summerseckler@hotmail.com

      We got our first dog, a Samoyed named Rover Francisco, back in March, and he’s literally one of the absolute best things that’s ever happened in my life! My husband and I swore that we would never, ever, have an animal in the house, but I’m sure you can guess where he lives. I cherish every little white fluff ball he leaves on our dark hardwood floors! We have found the best place for pet supplies is Homegoods. Their prices can’t be beat, and it gives me another reason to shop there, as if I needed another one. We buy high quality dog food, Fromm, from chewy.com which has free next day shipping.
      Good luck and congratulations! Made me all teary reading about your new baby!

    187. Pat

      Congratulations! He looks so relaxed and happy with your boys and vice versa. So smart to go with a dog who is a little older and trained!

      I highly recommend a book by Sara Wilson and Brian Kilcommons called My Smart Puppy. It describes fun, positive training games your boys can play with him that will be enjoyable while helping them develop relationship with Sebastian and Sebastian to stay as sweet as he seems to be. Sara Wilson has a blog too with lots of excellent dog information for new and experienced dog owners. She helped us with our rescue dog and I can’t say enough about her!

      Good luck with your new family member.

    188. Betsy

      Congratulations! Your heart will never be the same again!

    189. Sal

      Yeah.
      Congrats.
      Just love on that pup. Everything will fall into place.
      As for doggie bags….go to the diaper section at your local store and get those small bags for diaper disposal….same thing and WAYYYYYY cheaper.
      And tjmaxx has the best prices on dog beds, but I have a feeling you’ll be sowing your own in a wee bit.

    190. Sue

      Can’t say anything more than what has been said.. He will make your family life complete. So happy you met your doggie family member …

    191. chrisn

      Sebastian is so very beautiful. He will bring you so much love, you can see all the love thru those beautiful eyes all the way down to his soul. Your boys look so happy with him. You are blessed to have him, he was meant for you. Congratulations to your family!

    192. Kelly J Woelfel

      Beautiful dog! I am glad it was the right time for your family and that you waited for that time. Enjoy many years of fun and love together with your boys.

    193. TinaLou

      Congratulations on the sweet new addition to your family; he has a most lovely smile!!! Tip: choose low odor bully sticks for chewing. They’re real meat, unlike rawhide and the like. My rescue Tucker and I look forward to reading lots of great adventure stories with Sebastian in the future.

    194. Sarah

      What an awesome, heart-warming story! I could have written the same one recently, except for a few minor details. 🙂 We are navigating the new world of dog ownership with our boys and loving every minute of it. So glad Sebastian found his way into your lives!

    195. Melinda

      We joined the ranks in January with a rescue as well. I’m never looking back. Being a dog owner is one of the best things I have ever done. Enjoy!!

    196. Sylvia

      Sebastian is a beautiful dog. Have a DNA analysis done. His genetic makeup could help you understand his behaviors. Plus, it is a great activity to do with your boys (biology teacher here). Let the boys predict which breeds they think he is before you have the test done- they could do some research on line (great research skills practice). Then have a reveal party. No blood draw from Sebastian is necessary; they use cheek cells.

      • Sylvia

        Oh, I forgot to mention that this would be a great project to share with teachers and classes at school.

    197. Gloria Massey

      Have you ever noticed that the number of “Comments” you receive when you share about your family are incredibly high? Your family is loved by your readers. I’m happy for you and your boys and Sebastian. <3

    198. Susan H

      He looks so ‘majestic’ laying there in your studio! He looks like he is the perfect dog for your family.

    199. Missy

      Oh Marian, I’m so happy for you. I have to tell you, our beloved Murphy is a Border Collie/Spaniel mix and you will never find a more loyal and loving pal. Our Murphy just turned 15 on Tuesday, and we’ve had the pleasure of having her for the last 14! We got her from a high kill shelter, where the workers had changed her name 3 times in order to save her from the warden euthanizing her. As far as I can find, she has exceeded her life expectancy by around 3 years, and I believe it is her sheer will to be with us. Enjoy your new baby, I wish I was beginning my journey with Murphy all over again!

    200. Melanie

      He’s absolutely adorable! He’s sure to be your kids’ best friend – always there, never judging, and always loving. Our Aussie just turned four and I can’t imagine life without him – kids are out on their own and I work from home, so it’s just the two of us all day ? Boy, I really recommend training of some sort if he needs it (commands). Maybe your boys could train him through 4-H? My dog likes to run errands with me (aka I just want to be wherever you are), so I bought a doggy seatbelt for him and I’m surprised at how well it really works! I’m sure your family is going to love on him and he’ll do the same in return. Congrats on the new addition to your family and for giving Sebastian a forever home!

    201. Addie

      Yeah!!!! I am a dog crazy person!!!
      My motto: Life isn’t worth living without a dog!!!
      I LOVE them!!!!

    202. Linda G

      Marian, CONGRATULATIONS! Having a dog is like having another kid, without diapers! My kids grew up with our golden, Maggie, for 17 years. Now my daughter has her own best friend, Wendy and she adds so much love to life. The best toys always seem to be tennis balls.
      I love your blog, your ideas, and I love Decor Steals. Keep writing and sharing stories. I look forward to more dog and boys stories and photos.

    203. PC

      I have the same jar -it was my mother’s. We are on our 3rd Boykin spaniel as of 2 years ago. We have a rescue kitty and my pet children fill the empty nest after the youngest left home. Sebastian is a good looking dog and he will enrich your family life daily.

    204. Diane

      Good for you! My advice? Lots of patience and lots of love! Enjoy your new friend!

    205. Micki

      “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.”
      ― Dean Koontz, A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog

      Congrats with the new family member!

    206. Teresa

      He’s beautiful. I believe animals know when they have been rescued and are so appreciative. Looks like your boys are already in love!

    207. Stacey

      Dogs change your life!

      For the Better!!!

      Congratulations, Sebastian is one lucky pup and this looks like this was meant to be.

      My advice, as the owner of a beautiful Australian Shepard and a Wheaton/Brussles Griffon Mix, is one thing………BONES! Real, raw ones. They are grody for sure but so good for the dogs, it keeps them happy, calm and healthy too.

      Oh yea, it’ll keep him from chewing on all that pretty furniture of yours.

      Have fun!

    208. Lisajane

      Well done!
      My girls would love a dog,but we don’t have the room?
      Just have to be content with 2 kitties and 3 bunnies
      However I have bought things for friends and seriously anything from Harry Barker is gorgeous
      And fun!

    209. Christine S

      In our home, we feel that our house isn’t home without a little dog hair. Yes, they do bring more dirt into the house and thereby increase the number of times you have to vacuum and clean your floors, but the fun and love pets, but especially dogs, add to your family life is beyond measure. Plus, having pets is a great way to teach kids responsibility, empathy, compassion, etc. We have two dogs and two year old twins, and while things can get quite hectic, we love our dogs (as do our girls) and can’t imagine life without them. Congratulations to you and your family for this wonderful furry addition! I hope Sebastian brings your family just as much joy and love as our dogs do to our family.

    210. VICKIE

      All children should grow up with a dog. They love you unconditionally and are always there to make a bad day better. I am 53 years old and have always had one or two dogs throughout my life. Just give him a few bones to chew on and definitely some real tennis balls. Congratulations to Sebastian for rescuing you when you did not know you were in need of rescuing.

    211. Alicia Damron

      I love this! A home is always better with a dog and he’s beautiful!

    212. Cris M

      I have had many pets throughout my life. Our family had so many pets when I was a kid and hilarious and even sad stories about them that we still tell. But our main pet was our dog, Todo. She outlasted the hamsters, gerbils, guppies, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, cats and litters and our little beagle Snoopy and a basset hound who were both hit by cars sadly. She gave us a litter of puppies that we shared with friends and neighbors. She lived a good, long life. As an adult when I married, my husband already had a beautiful blue-eyed Siberian Husky. When our son was two, I got what I had always wanted, a Miniature Schnauzer and my son named him Jock (at that time, Disney’s Lady and the Tramp was popular and he loved the Scotty in that movie). Later, after my daughter had arrived, and the kids were in elementary school, I surprised them with a Christmas kitten and they named her Holly. Then, oops, Holly had a litter before I took care of matters, but we ended up keeping three of her babies, and gave the other two to friends. These pets of ours were beloved. It taught both of them to love animals and my daughter has art drawings of our living room with lots of kitties in beds all over the place (more than we really had) that I still have to this day. She would also write stories about them. We laugh when I take those sweet crayon and colored pencil and magic marker pictures out. I need to make an album. Then several years later, one stormy night, my daughter heard a kitty crying and to our shock a kitten no bigger than a Beanie Baby was lost and abandoned. She couldn’t have been but a few weeks old. We nursed her and just couldn’t take her to a shelter so we added to our family. Her name is Kiwi and to this day, now that she is 14 years old, when my now grown kids come to visit me (31 and 27 years old) the first thing they do is hunt down Kiwi wherever she is napping to pet and love on her. That…is the love children have for their pets. Everlasting…Congratulations on your new family member.

    213. Meredith

      Congrats on your rescue dog. He is beautiful! We have always had rescues and they seem to know they are so lucky to have humans who love them. 2 pieces of advice–try to provide as much routine as possible–routine helps dogs feel calm and secure. Secondly, dogs love training. Use plenty of treats to reward their progress. Your boys will love working on his training!

    214. Rosemary

      My husband and I have been married for 53 years and have had a dog for 49 of them. They each enriched our lives and those of our children and grandchildren. I believe that dogs are God’s earthly evidence of unconditional love.

    215. Karyn

      Soooooo happy to hear about your new addition! He looks absolutely adorable and will bring you so much joy! There is nothing like the love of a dog! This post literally made me cry! Your boys look absolutely smitten!

    216. Sandy

      I just rescued a kitten that I saw someone throw out a window of a car – yes you read that correctly – another man and I tried to catch him in the middle of a busy road with no luck – to make a long story short he had crawled in my car and was behind the engine block for two days – we heard him meowing and got him out – we named him Scamp 🙂 three weeks old, we feed him with an eye dropper —it is amazing the joy he has brought to our lives; I seriously think he has lowered my blood pressure! I hope Sebastian brings you the same, I know he will – they say our pets pick us – Sebastian won the lottery 🙂

    217. Sandy

      Sebastian sure is a handsome breed! I’m a great fan of rescue dogs, having 3 of my own. He seems perfect and it will be wonderful for yoyr boys to grow up with him. I can see some beautiful photo shoots in yoyr future with Sebastian stealing the show!

    218. Cheryl Victor

      I see that you got so many responses to this post……no wonder, from all of us animal lovers
      I have always had a dog in my home growing up and now I have 3. All of mine are rescues.
      I am so happy you decided to rescue. And Sebastian is beautiful.
      My advise, be patient, kind, never hit him, he will be learning to get use to your family and much as you will be getting us to him entering into your family. He is now a part of your family, he will love you unconditionally. Don’t tie him outside, never abandon him. He doesn’t know he sheds, but will happily give you kisses, and be your best companion. He may not be able to speak, but he knows when you speak and will love your voice
      You now have a new family member, who will love you unconditionally and be your best friend forever
      Children should grow up with pets, its teaches them so much…..good luck with your new family member

    219. nancy

      Don’t spend tons on dog toys- just tie the holey socks into knots. They make great tug/ toss toys.

    220. Mona Kay

      I think you’ve got yourself a Border Collie (mix) there!!! It’s the first thing I thought when I saw the pic!! I may be biased because I have one (she’s a love), but you’ll never find a better dog!!! What a sweet boy, enjoy!!!❤️❤️❤️

    221. Arden Boggs

      What a pearl! He is beautiful – resembles the stray (Luka) that adopted us – both in demeanor and appearance. Be consistent and kind. Dogs, especially with shepherd or (border) collie in them, love a job, are all trainable, and love to please you. Also, a tired dog is a good dog. Walks and runs and ball time make bigger dogs happy to just hang out with you all day. 🙂 He will be a blessing!

    222. Sharon Bates

      Congratulations Dog Mommie!!! Your new four-legged baby is beautiful! I kept seeing Sebastian in pics and knew I had missed something. So happy for all of you.

    223. Sherry Nerreau

      And what a wonderful chapter it will be Marian!

    Hello!

    Marian Parsons - Miss Mustard Seed

    I’m Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, a wife, mother, paint enthusiast, lover of all things home and an entrepreneur, author, artist, designer, freelance writer & photographer.  READ MORE to learn more about me, my blog and my business…

    Let's Connect

    WATCH ON YOUTUBE

    decorating, projects, and recipes for spring

    Categories

    Articles by Date

     

    our sponsors

     

     

    Bliss and Tell Branding Company

     

    Pin It on Pinterest

    Share This