Welcome Scout!

Well, there’s a new member of the Parker family and his name is Scout. Friday night, I went with my parents to look at a puppy they were thinking about getting. In all honesty, I guess it was already decided that this little fella was going to come home with them, there was just the matter of getting all the paperwork completed and bringing him to his new home.

Saturday was my mom’s birthday and my dad grilled ribs. Our friends Naaman and Cheryl came over as did my grandparents and my brother and The Tide. I don’t think The Tide was too crazy about Scout. She growled at him when she was first sniffing of him while he was in his newly constructed play pen. Then for the rest of the night she pretty much ignored him. If Scout isn’t being held and there are a lot of folks in the room then he will whine because he wants some attention. I think The Tide was tired of his whining because when I asked her if she was ready to go home she bolted to the door rather quickly.

My dad build Scout’s play pen and at first it only had three sides with the back being placed against the hearth of the fireplace; but, Scout was a little escape artist and a third side had to be put on. He’s still working on his potty training and went pee on his pillow a couple of times while I was there on Saturday. I do not envy my parents on that potty training! Scout has a lot of energy and is going to be quite a handful for a while; but, hopefully he will bring my parents a lot of love and heal their sad hearts. Here are some photos…

Scout being held by his new mother, Deb!

Scout and Deb

Scout and Grandmamma

Scout and Cheryl

Here We Go Again?

Last Friday I wrote a post about an impromptu concert that took place next door on the previous Friday afternoon. If you read it, then you may recall that I didn’t enjoy the show.

This morning, I got up as I always do about 5:40. I went to let The Tide out and when I did, I noticed a van parked next door. I tried to get a closer look to see if there were other vans parked there, but couldn’t get a good look. I let The Tide back in and began my morning routine.

As I was leaving for work, I noticed that the van had a trailer attached and the trailer was covered in bumper stickers, and the license plates were from out of town. I have no doubt that, while this isn’t the same band that interrupted nap time, it is indeed another band staying at the home of my next door neighbor.

As I mentioned before, my neighbor works at Lowe Mill where they often have live music, which I’m sure is a fun job. What I don’t understand is why all these bands are shacking up at her house. I’ve got to tell you if working at Lowe Mill and booking bands means that you have to provide a place for the band to sleep, then that is not a job I would want to have. It’s really curious to me – maybe she is good friends with all these people, who knows? What I do know is that I wouldn’t want a house full of stinky band members staying at my house. Let’s just hope these guys keep their musical instruments to themselves.

In other news – the poll for the name of the new dog ends in a few hours. This was a quick poll. My parents are supposed to go look at the new dog this evening but to be quite honest, I’m not sure my dad is ready for a new dog. I know I wouldn’t be. If The Tide were to go on to dog heaven, I would need a while to mourn her loss before getting a new dog. Everyone is different I guess. So, maybe they will have a new dog by the weekend and maybe they won’t.

Have a great weekend, ya’ll!

Slapshot Parker - He Was A Pretty Good Dog

Yesterday was a sad day over at my parents’ house. They had to put their dog, Slapshot to sleep. He had been having a lot of seizures and as a result began having problems with walking as well as some other things. So, they decided it would be best to go ahead and put him to sleep so that he wouldn’t have to suffer any longer.

Slapshot was a gift to my mom from my dad for my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. I would like the record to reflect that I was the one who suggested the name Slapshot. My dad always said he didn’t want an inside dog and that he was going to “have nothing to do with that dog.” But, I’m here to tell you that no sooner than that dog had arrived and he had my dad wrapped around his little paw.

Over the years, Slapshot had many nicknames, including Sam, and most recently Mule – a derivative of animal (or animule) – given to him by my dad. Slapshot brought a lot of joy to my mom. There are many times when I’m pretty sure she loved Slapshot more than my brother and me. I know he was a lot of company to her and also to my dad. My dad taught him how to sit, shake, and roll over and to “guard us!” which meant a “big” bark.

It’s really sad when our beloved pets pass on from this life. People are sad for us, especially those who also have had pets go on to pet heaven; but no one really can understand how much that pet meant to us because each pet/parent relationship is different. So, when you say a prayer today, lift up a little prayer for Deb that her spirits will be lifted and that she will always remember the good times with Slapshot.

On a lighter note, my parents will soon be getting another dog and they want your help picking out a name. The dog will be a Maltese, like Slapshot, and will be a boy. There’ a poll at the top of the blog for you to vote. You have until tomorrow afternoon to cast your lot. Happy Voting!

Here's Slapshot not a few days after he came to live with Steve and Deb.

That's a 21-year old me and my rommate at the time - Caty.

A Motley Crew - The Tide, Me, Slapshot and Deb

The Tide and Slapshot hoping for a crumb from my dad.