Introducing.....

Kali!!!
Yes, Charlie has a new sister. She's not a puppy but 8 months old, spayed with all of her shots. She's slightly bigger than Charlie now but I'm certain he will eventually be bigger than she. She's a mix of Australian Kelpie and Beauceron. I had never heard of either but they look german shepherdish. How do I know that this is what Kali is? Simple, she had her DNA run. Yep DNA.

I found Kali on craigslist where I very carefully avoided any animal rescued from a high kill shelter in the south and/or through Dogs In Danger Rescue. Kali was adopted from the local animal shelter by a young woman who discovered that she cannot give Kali the time and attention that she needs. Anja (JKali's first mother) is a medical student and lives in a small apartment. She loves this little girl so much. So much that she loved her enough to give her up to a better life.

I may have mentioned before that we have a very large yard 6/10 of an acre and totally fenced. There's a stand of bamboo in the back and two separate piles of wood waiting for the fall burn season, not to mention Charlie who was nearly hysterical with joy when Kali arrived.

Anja and her fiancee Chris brought Kali to us and no sooner did the fur baby get out of the car, she was racing toward me, grinning from ear to ear as she threw herself into my arms. She actually let me hug her but then oldest son opened the kitchen door and out tumbled Charlie. It was as if those two dogs had known each other forever. No posturing, no I'm a tough guy obey me. Charlie and Kali leaped and twisted and turned and then raced around and around the house,then around the pool and then just back and forth exhausting themselves. They'd drop to the ground side by side, panting, then they would catch their breaths and they'd be off again.

Anja had tears in her eyes as she watched them. The first words out of her mouth, when she first got out of the car was "Look at the yard" When she and Chris left, she was certain that this was the home for Kali.

Kali... how is it possible to fall in love so quickly. When she wags her tail, her whole body wags with it as her face splits into a grin as if you are the greatest gift ever given to her. She's housebroken and well behaved tho she wasn't too thrilled to share her toys with Charlie so we put them away till she feels that she'd like to share. Charlie doesn't care if she plays with his toys. He has a playmate that's what's important. She really doesn't seem to miss her other mother and I am very careful not to give her all the attention. Charlie was my baby first and still is a puppy in many ways so I don't want to break his heart.

My home finally feels complete. It looks so much better to see two dogs roaming the yard instead of one and to have what we call and alternate backup barking dog. Charlie uses his big boy voice much more now, a voice he hardly used before because really, if it wasn't a plastic bag, it didn't deserve a bark. Kali however, has decided to take her duties far mo0re seriously and will bark at anyone walking up the street or cutting through our back yard (kids next door always allowed) but then instead of attacking, she kisses them to death. But at least, she lets us know she is doing her job.

Charlie still comes to visit me in the craft room and to hog the air conditioner vet but Kali joined him last night and it was me and the puppies. Maybe later I'll give them their own scissors and teach them how to use glitter but for now, I just enjoy the sweet sound of puppy snoring and the yips of dreams.