The new addition to the family

So yesterday we went to two different places to look at dogs. The kids have really been wanting one and so has Don. ME? Well, not so much. I like dogs but they are alot of work. I am still working on getting the kids to sit still and listen. The first place wanted $95 to adopt a dog. We thought that was too much. We did take one dog outside to walk and that dog was insane. It was very hyper and jumped all over everyone. I can totally understand though that it is from being caged up all day. Poor thing. But none of the dogs really caught our eye. So we went to a different place. All the dogs there were only $10 to adopt and they paid for the neuter/spaying and all the shots. We visited with one dog we thought was cute and he jumped a bit but seemed to calm down. The kids really like him and wanted to take him home. But we wanted to think about it so we went home and thought and talked. Next day we decided to go get him. But when Don and Caleb and Zach got to the shelter he had already been adopted that morning. There was another dog that actually caught our eye more than the first but the lady said he was too jumpy and would probably jump on the kids and be too hyper. Well Don decided to see how he would do and he was great. He didn't jump or act hyper. The kids fell in love with him and so they brought him home. He is part lab but not sure what else. He really looks like he could be full but he has a white diamond shape on his neck.

We were having a hard time figuring out a name. At dinner we went through alot of names but nothing really stuck. After dinner I turned to Mayah and asked her what we should name the dog and she said Toby. So we all thought that was very cute. I think she had heard someone say it earlier. SO Toby it is. Don gave him a bath in the kids' tub and boy was that a huge mess. We told the kids that any messes he made they would have to clean them up. They have been wonderful about it so far. There has been two pee messes and one "other" mess. And they didn't complain at all. I just think the dog is really excited. He is supposed to be house trained. It is a good way to teach kids responsibility. I just don't really like the dog hair in the house but it is sooooooooo cold out right now that we don't want to leave him out. He is going to stay in the basement for now.

I am still not attached yet. Don't know if I ever will be. I do know though that the kids had a chance to decide on this one. Normally Don and I try to do the big decisions but we let the kids choose. We told them all the "bad" things about having a dog and all the good things too. And then we left it up to them. We let them vote. And the majority would win. Rachel and I were the only ones who didn't raise our hands. Rachel wanted a kitty. And me? I am just happy with five kids. But it is a good experience. And besides, since Rachel and I didn't raise our hands............we won't have to clean up any messes or do any of the hard work. :) And I am kidding. Here is our Toby. I have NO clue why his tongue has that dark spot on it but it kind of freaks me out because he has been hanging his tongue out quite a bit. He is cute though and he hasn't jumped on anyone and he hasn't barked either. We are working with him on simple commands and he is doing pretty good. This is our first time with a dog so it is new for us. We will see how we all do.