15 November 2006
Thank you to everybody who left a comment about Jamal. It's always sad to lose a friend, and that's what Jamal was. I didn't mean to go so long without updating, but I've got two big things going on at the moment, and I've been worried about saying anything.
The first thing has to do with the image above. I'm going to keep quiet for now, but feel free to speculate wildly (or not so wildly -- I don't think you'll have to try too hard). But that's a nice door, eh? Look at the little glass doorknob.
I've been hesitant about the second thing because I didn't want people to think I was 'replacing' Jamal. The truth of it is that I was always planning on adopting a dog once I moved, and along came Minnie:
While I was out last Saturday, my parents went to the dog adoption day at the local pet store. My dad found a couple of dogs he wanted to adopt (he really wants another dog; my mom's not quite sold on the idea), so they brought me back with them. Minnie's 'brief' said something to the effect of her being undesirable because she's a dark dog (shelters are always overloaded with lab mixes here) and an adolescent (most people want puppy-puppies). Of course, I happened to be looking for a young adult black lab cross, so she fit my bill perfectly. She's so sweet that the not-quite-perfect timing didn't really seem to matter. She's the dog for me.
She's half black lab, half German Pointer, and she's actually brown with black points and one white spot on her chest. Somebody else named her Minnie, which I wasn't sold on at first, but she answers to it, so I would've felt mean changing it. She's less Minnie Mouse, more Minnie the Moocher. At only nine months old, she's surprisingly well behaved and mellow, but it's still strange to have a puppy around again. The biting and jumping and apparent lack of understanding when it comes to the English language.
She's got a tough act to follow, always being compared to Jamal. He understood nearly everything you said to him; when he wanted something, you'd just list off the options, and he'd tell you when you got to the correct one. Minnie just stares at you. Do other people not expect their dogs to comprehend human language? Do they not speak to them conversationally? It's weird.
She's much less vocal than Jamal, but she's got a good, deep bark for her size. It must be the Pointer in her, but when she barks at passers by (which I'm encouraging, as long as she stops when reassured -- I want her to feel protective of our territory), the first sound out of her is a long, 'Barr-oooo!'
It's been fun discovering what makes her Minnie (and therefore what was unique to Jamal and not just a general dog trait). She'll eat a grape (Jamal just played with them), but not a pretzel. She needs to chew, and she loves those Nylabone type things. She steals socks, but isn't interested in playing keep away (which was Jamal's favourite game); she actually drops things when you ask. She really wants to sleep in the bed with me, but when I say, 'No, go lie down on your blanket' (which is actually a nice fluffy pile of blankets -- I'm not mean), she does so. Strange and different, but good.
She's absolutely gorgeous!
posted by Jennifer {creatingfromscratch} at November 15, 2006 10:18 PM
Such sweet eyes!
posted by Anita at November 15, 2006 10:50 PM
ohh, she's a beauty. and how wonderful that she drops things when asked...!!!
posted by stephanie s at November 15, 2006 11:51 PM
Minnie is beautiful! Such sweet, kind eyes. Abby & I wish you both well in your future together!
posted by Jessica Hood at November 16, 2006 02:40 AM
Having adopted our own black lab mix a couple of years ago now (when she was several months old) I can tell you that you've made an excellent choice. Our girl, Dixie, is the best dog we've ever owned. Minnie will learn to understand in a short time, I'm sure. Congratulations on your new pet!
posted by Copper's Wife at November 16, 2006 03:19 AM
Congrats on Minnie (and the possible new doorknobs...). My lab/shepherd mix pretends not to understand English, but he slips sometimes so I'm sure he really knows exactly what's going on. He gets really frustrated when we don't understand 'dog' though.
posted by Auntly H at November 16, 2006 03:22 AM
Minnie is beautiful, and it sounds like you're having a good time getting to know each other. :)
...at's a nice doorknob.
posted by jessie at November 16, 2006 04:23 AM
Minnie is gorgeous, we have a labrador cross as well. He does not eat grapes but we used to have an Irish Wolfhound who would pinch the whole bunch as she loped past the fruit bowl, take them off soewhere and eat the lot.
posted by carolyn at November 16, 2006 09:38 AM
Good luck to you both!
(We have two labs and they are utterly wonderful companions and treasured members of the family.)
posted by Karen at November 16, 2006 10:31 AM
You should read The Dogs of Babel....
posted by Lia at November 16, 2006 12:30 PM
Hi, I discovered your site while ago.
I like your blog.
I'm very sorry about Jamal...
I understand how you feel.
About Minnie, She is gorgeous!
My dog boomer is half lab also. He has white spot too!!
She looks somewhat alike Bommer.
posted by kei-yu at November 16, 2006 02:41 PM
Your new dog is so cute, reminds me of my dog Penny. We adopted her in the spring and are guessing she is now about 1 1/2 years old. She too in a lab mix (australian shepherd). Take a gander over at www.dogster.com to find other puppy friends!
posted by mindy at November 16, 2006 02:52 PM
That face. Those eyes. Clearly there's more going on behind them than might be evident. And seeing as she's a lab mix, I imagine it's only a matter of time before she begins understanding English.
The door is a beauty too. I look at it and wonder where it lives.
posted by Sarah at November 16, 2006 03:04 PM
I love the differences in dogs. It's wonderful that Minnie loves grapes.
posted by Cherry Menlove at November 16, 2006 08:35 PM
I am very sorry for your loss. Allthough Minnie is not a replacement for Jamal, it can still be a comfort to have a furry friend.
She is really gorgeous. A dog lies far ahead in my future, but I hope I will be able to get one someday. Good luck!
posted by pendlerpiken at November 16, 2006 08:48 PM
what a lovely dog - a nice mix - lab/pointer and a very intelligent face - she'll be such fun! I got a pup against the wishes of the rest of the tribe, but now she is the centre of our lives and loved by all! she adds such a wonderful extra dimension - just like Minnie will!
posted by katie at November 17, 2006 09:56 AM
She looks like a treasure! Good luck with your new friend :)
posted by camilla Engman at November 17, 2006 11:12 AM
Minnie sounds like a wonderful dog already and she's still young. She's also adorable. Things happen in the time they are suppose to, enjoy her.
posted by mitchypoo at November 18, 2006 12:42 AM
I'm glad you have found a new friend. Sounds like it was perfect timing for both of you. He needed you, just as much as you needed him.
posted by Gina at November 20, 2006 03:08 PM
Pls don't feed your dog grapes. They are toxic to dogs (mess up their kidneys).
posted by donna rino at October 5, 2007 03:19 AM