10-week-old Malamute Emma.
I’m not in a good mood today. So I thought writing about and posting cute puppy pics would help.
Our next door neighbor is a single guy who loves his Malamutes. He’s always owned them. About a month ago, he knocked on our door sobbing and asked for my husband to help him get his dog into his car. He had decided it was time to say good-bye.
He asked my husband if he was making the right decision.
My husband looked at the dog laying on the floor, who was unable to stand, but its tail was thumping on the ground.
“Yes, you are making the right decision.”
Since that fateful day, we’ve seen our neighbor in his yard, watering plants during our early morning walk. He’s often in tears and apologizes to us.
This past weekend, we helped him with a puppy contract. I printed it out, he signed it, I scanned it and emailed to him.
His puppy Emma arrived from Canada a few days later.
She is adorable, loving and so darn cute! I’m so thrilled for our neighbor and that I’ll get to see this cutie on a daily basis.
So why am I in a bad mood?
For one thing, the pit bull was out walking today in violation of orders of quarantining for 10 days in the house. No muzzle. She was being walked by a man who said he didn’t care about the quarantine and ended our short conversation by calling my husband a prick.
Didn’t exactly get my day going in the right direction. But then I came home to see Emma and neighbor in front of our house.
What helps you when you’re in a bad mood?
“… in violation of orders of quarantining for 10 days…”
Oh that is disturbing and I’m right there with you about being in a bad mood. Sorry to read this, although happy to meet Emma.
Animal control paid them a visit. Emma is the sweetest cuddliest puppy. I’m thankful she’s my next door neighbor!
I’m with Ally…what a horrible encounter to start the day…and name calling, too?! But hey…what’s better than meeting Emma? What a cutie. And…what lovely friends/neighbors you are to support a bereft dog owner when he needed help. “Those days” are terrible…good of you to help him get through the decision-making. 💕
Thank you. It’s the least we could do for our neighbor. He watches over our house when we’re out of town. I’ve had to say goodbye to our dog, and it’s so difficult. Yes, the encounter with pit bull and nasty man started off my day with a horrible feeling.
So sorry about all of that…but Emma? What a cutie patootie! 🥰
He asked if I wanted to hold her. She was so loving and sweet with little tail wagging. 😊
🥰🥰🥰
Did the guy walking the Pit seem aggressive? For some reason, when I read about yesterdays encounter, I remembered a comment on one of your earlier blogs where somebody mentioned that someone must be teaching/modeling aggressive behavior to the dog. I also know you described the woman as tiny and 100 pounds. Do you think she is safe? For some reason, your post today prompted me to pray for her. I’m sorry the encounter ruined your day, but I also feel glad you’re there- in case something isn’t as it seems. I’ll bet you get to the bottom of it eventually.
The man was way out of line. I’m not sure who he is. A friend? Her ex who came back? Thank you for your prayers.
EA- there’s the backstory I was talking about! I’m reading a huge issue here, given they are ignoring the order and the conversation. How close to these people do you live? Are you going to pursue this more through the system? I know you are smart and probably have already seen where this could all go, but honestly either the dog or the man or both are clearly already harming someone (woman) or will harm someone in the neighborhood before long. It just isn’t going to turn out good.
Oops- the pup is adorable and I’m glad for the neighbor. Tell him not to walk the pup in any direction near the Pit/man ever or let the dog be unleashed…just one of those horrible things waiting to happen.
I’ve warned him. He’s very careful with his puppy and prior dogs. He was so bothered with the pit bull story.
Fortunately we’re on opposite sides of the neighborhood. We did call the County and they sent Animal Control to talk to them. I never saw the man before yesterday. I’m not sure if it’s the ex husband or a friend who stopped by to walk Star on her behalf. Very strange.
Emma!! She’s so cute. Definitely a way to improve the mood – in real life and on WordPress. And tangentially, what a sweet relationship with Emma’s owner. The contrast with the other owner/dog couldn’t be more clear. Hoping for more Emma and less Star.
We can all use more Emma and less Star! Our neighbor takes care of our mail and looks out for our house when we leave. I was happy to finally do something for him.
Bad mood antidotes are usually allowing myself to have a pity party for a half hour, a home decorating or food show or rerun of a favorite sit com, and a Diet Coke.
I like that. I used to have one Diet Coke everyday. I haven’t had one for months and strangely bought the mini Diet Cokes the other day! Also, the escapism of a food or decorating show would get my mind off the negativity.
Yes! Escapism tv…I find hgtv and food network get me through anything
I like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. 👍🏼
I’m sorry you’re still dealing with the neighbor! But puppies!!
The puppy is the sweetest little thing. It was the runt of the litter and the breeder bottle fed it every two hours. I think that makes it extra sweet and friendly.
My cat was found in a lot abandoned by it’s mom because she was so tiny, so yeah…I think that makes the babies sweeter
All that human contact compared to the rest of the litter.
Yes! I think that’s it!
That’s what our neighbor explained to us. It makes sense.👍🏼
👍👍
That is an adorable puppy picture – puppies are definitely mood lifters.
I need a nice cuddle with that puppy at the end of a stressful walk!
That can make all the difference :)..hope you don’t have to interact too much with the rude neighbor
I think we’ll walk by them without a word from now on. I am going to ask the HOA to insist on the dog wearing a muzzle in public.
Emma is the sweetest little thing!! What a joy to have a little puppy next door! 🥰 On the other hand, I’m sorry to hear that Star’s owner is violating the stipulations… I wonder if there’s anything more you’re able to do.
I’m thrilled to have Emma next door and get to watch her grow. We called Animal Control and they were upset. They said the dog is not to leave the house expect to go to the bathroom in their yard. They sent someone over right away.
I’m glad to hear that they’re taking it seriously!
I am too. I’m impressed. I’m also thankful we’ll be leaving for vacation a week from Friday and I can take peaceful walks on the beach!
Ignoring the court ruling is a crime. I hope no other incidents happen because of their callous attitude.
I’m glad you got a dose of cuteness to make your day better 😍🥰
I wonder what type of person doesn’t care about an order? I’m shaking my head. I’m also thankful to have such a sweet puppy next door and a good human owner!
Yes you’re seeing both sides of this picture. Hope the bad one is overshadowed by the good one
I think getting out of town on vacation is going to work wonders for me.
I think so too. Relax, away from daily distractions
I have less than 10 days until vacation. Counting down.
Hope you have a wonderful time.
👍🏼
Aww Emma. ❤️
I am glad animal control visited them. I hope things improve.
Emma is so sweet and cute! So far, no sightings of Star since Animal Control’s visit.
Yep, hugging a puppy is a sure-fire mood enhancer.
Especially one so sweet!
What a cutie. Unfortuantely our oldest dog is well on the way to her last trip to the vet. It is always heart breaking when that decision is needed. I too woke in a foul mood. I was completely out of sorts. Better now.
It’s hard to say good-bye to our four-legged friends. We realized that we were keeping our last dog alive for us. We knew it was time.
Emma is so dang cute! It’s hard to imagine having a malamute in Arizona… I hope she stays cool underneath all that fur.
I had a dog lunge at me on my morning walk today. Fortunately, the dog was leashed but the woman walking him was fairly old, so she struggled. I received no apologies from her. I can’t imagine why anyone would take an untrained, aggressive dog out on a public street in a neighborhood where a lot of people are in their yards or walking.
I don’t understand it either! There’s nothing like getting lunged at! As for the Malamute, this is my neighbor’s fourth one in 30 years or so. He swears they are fine here. I’ve never seen his previous dog outside except early mornings or at night.
Many, if not most, dogs are naturally reactive, but it is easy to correct through training. Most people, however, just don’t invest in it. Canine behavioural problems are always owner problems. We had a more serious series of encounters in our neighbourhood, recounted in “The Family Dog” in my blog. Took steps with the owners to help them, but not sure anything was ever done.
I agree that it’s owner problems, not dog issues.
Oh Emma puppy is a delight! Just enjoy that sweet ball of fur and allow that rascally bad other person to be pushed out of your mind…stay safe!
Thank you! I’ll try.
Well, Emma is adorable. Has the neighbor with Emma stopped crying now?
Yes, he’s all smiles. 😊
That would put me in a bad mood too. How horrible! But Emma is adorable. Have you seen the dog lately since the visit from Animal Control? People can be so irresponsible. I hope things smooth out soon so you can enjoy your walks.
Thankfully, we haven’t seen the pit bull since animal control paid a visit. I skipped one morning walk but decided not to let them ruin my walking.
Wow. Emma and Star could be four-legged representatives of the battle between good and evil, light and dark, love and fear that is playing out on the planet these days. It just reminds me to keep my focus on goodness, light and love rather than darkness, fear and evil. What a contrast. I’m happy that you have Emma on your side of the neighborhood!
I’m so thankful to have Emma next door instead of the alternative! I like your insight of good and evil.
I’m so sorry, what a way to start your day! Okay, things that make me happy on a hot summer day: snowcones, watching birds, floating in cool water, writing something inspirational, reading Johnathan Livingston Seagull while Larry serves me a BLT with tomatoes from our garden! Sending you some love and hugs, C
I’m so happy for our neighbor to get the puppy. that made me happy. I love your list. Especially floating in cool weather and tomatoes from your garden in a BLT. The “bougie” soil must have worked!