Sweet as candy

By Mir
September 14, 2009
Category Woohoo!

I’ll tell you the truth: This past week I really began to despair of us ever finding the right dog. I mean, I knew it would happen, intellectually, but emotionally I was feeling like an unfit mother. (Thank goodness I’m not melodramatic or anything, right?) If only things had gone better with Super! If only the right dog hadn’t already been promised to someone else! If only I was just a better person!

Have I mentioned about how I’m a joy to live with…?

I kept telling the kids that when we found the right dog, we would all know it. So when a little 3-year-old shih tzu mix popped up on the page of a local rescue, there was a little tug on my heartstrings, a little quickening of my pulse, and then an immediate feeling of doom and gloom. “We’ll want her but someone else will get her,” I thought. “Or we’ll want her and they won’t pick us.” I filled out the application, but I tried not to get my hopes up. And I didn’t even tell the kids.

But then her foster mom called and said we should come meet her. So we did.

It turns out that we didn’t stand a chance. She was sweet and cuddly and curious and playful and oh, that face. THAT FACE.

This face:

licorice-close

You understand, yes?

We met at the Dog Emailer’s house and got a personality evaluation on her, which basically concluded that she is spoiled rotten but “good raw material,” and then we talked about glamorous things like what little the rescue knows about her (she’s approximately three, she’s had at least one litter of puppies, she appears to be recovering from a bad case of fleas and possibly even a flea allergy, judging by the bald spots on her backside), and then her foster mom said, “Well, do y’all want to discuss it and let me know?”

Otto and I looked at each other. The kids looked at us. And we said no, we didn’t want to discuss it. We just wanted to take her home.

So we did.

There was much debate over her name; despite Otto’s insistence that we name her Average, he was outvoted. Finally we settled on Licorice, which means we’re all spending a lot of time dancing around proclaiming, “LICORICE! YAYYYYY!” in an effort to teach it to her. Every time you say “Licorice” and she so much as glances your way, you then have to act like you just won the lottery. Or so I’ve been told.

She is settling in slowly; she appears to have a nervous stomach, and didn’t eat for the first day and a half, but she’s perking up now. And I urge you to LOOK AT THAT FACE one more time, so that you’ll understand why we adore her even though she made sure to throw up all over the good couch on the second day.

I think she’s gonna like it here. I already like my office better with a dog sleeping on the floor.

77 Comments

  1. Jen

    Congratulations on the beautiful addition to the family. Couches can be replaced…

  2. Bonnie

    Adorable!!! Worth the wait.

  3. Mary

    Cutey-patooty!

  4. Randi

    Awww, congratulations!! She’s so sweet!! And I love the name – very unique and perfect for her and for all of you! SEE! Remember a few days ago I told you that it would happen! (I love saying “I told you so”, even though it’s a horrible habit LOL).

    I’m so glad that you guys found your dog! Now begins the training :).

  5. Aimee

    Oh, WHAT a beautiful face! She is just so sweet! As sweet as… Licorice. Love the name, and I’m so happy you have such a bundle of cuteness puking on your good couch. ;)

  6. Stacia

    She is too cute! Hope her stomach settles down.

  7. Marly

    Oh so cute! She looks a lot like our little black Malte-poo, who also sleeps on the floor in my office, which does indeed make it a better place to work.

  8. Leandra

    I have a very, very soft spot for dogs with wiry hair on their faces. If Licorice ever disappears, you can start looking at my house first.

  9. Anna

    So sweet!

  10. Burgh Baby

    She is abso-freakin-lutely adorable. Congratulations!

  11. sassymonkey

    Licorice! YAYYYYY!!!! How’d I do?

  12. Karishma

    so cute! good luck!

  13. Nelson's Mama

    Love her eyes – feels like she’s looking straight into my soul

    Nelson says to tell you that he’s very happy for you!

  14. hokgardner

    Such a sweet face! Congratulations on the new member of the family.

  15. Crista

    Awwww! I’m so happy for all of you! Yayyyy! And I love her name :) She is so adorable!
    Are you feeding her the same food the foster gave her? And slowly switching over to whatever food you chose, if it was different?

  16. Sheila

    What a lucky dog!

  17. el-e-e

    She is a cutie!! Congratulations!

  18. Jane

    Nothing beats the feel of the warm weight of a dog on your feet as you work. And the unconditional love they have for you…just look at it written all over her face.

  19. radioactivetori

    Oh congratulations! I knew it would happen and I’m so glad you found her so soon. I am so happy for you!

  20. Megan

    Looks like everyone struck lucky! Hope all goes well with the newest WouldaShouldling.

  21. dad

    I can’t wait to see my new granddog.

  22. Beth R

    You’re gonna have a hard time saying no to that face! Congratulations!

  23. Megumi

    Yay! So happy for your newest addition to your family! Hooray for Licorice!!

  24. laura

    It was meant to be. She will know her name in no time. Never underestimate the power of dog treats!

  25. Nicki

    See, time! Enjoy your new baby. I can’t wait to hear all about these adventures.

  26. Lisa

    That face is adorable. Funny thing, a friend of mine has the sweetest dog in the world–and I would swear they (yours and hers) are twins. :) Enjoy!

  27. getsheila

    Mmmmmm…black licorice, my favorite. So glad you found your new pooch. And Otto with Average? I barely averted tea coming out my nose. Thanks so much. :)

  28. Jackie Hall

    Congratulations! You won the dog lottery. haha I’m very happy for you. And you are right, how could anyone look at that face and not want her. :-)

  29. Dawn

    I UNDERSTAND! YES!

    Also; Yay!

  30. ChristieNY

    Absolutely adorable! Congrats and good luck with sweet little Licorice!

  31. Kristie

    ~squee!!!~

  32. dcfullest

    YAY!

    My dog has a flea allergy (amongs others– if you knew what we had to spend when he was allergic to commerical dog food, you would weep.) too.

    So long as I am careful about preventative protection, it is almost never an issue. If he does get bit, my doctor has given me steriods to keep at home. I immediately give him a dose when I notice him scratching otherwise he scratches until his cuts himself and then that gets infected.

    BUT, now that we know all this, we are all to keep on top of it and we haven’t had to give him steriods in over a year, and he hasn’t gone to the vet for these issues in 2+ years.

  33. Lucinda

    No, you didn’t stand a chance. Congrats.

  34. Beachgal

    Congrats!!!

  35. Tracy

    Awwwwww, Licorice…I love it! And that face…jeez, I love that face. She reminds me of my To-to. So, so sweet!
    Her tummy will settle once she knows she’s at home..and never going to be homeless again. I’m so proud of you Mir…congratulations on your new family member.

    Your Dad makes me so proud…grand-dog. That is priceless!

  36. steff

    I love her to pieces.
    We have a dog with a sensitive tummy — a little big of plain yogurt will help!!

  37. alice

    Awwwwwww! Welcome, Licorice! You’re adorable.

  38. Katie in MA

    Awwwww! That face!! We’re all in love already – I can only imagine how over the moon the four of you guys are. :)

  39. Suzanne

    Awwww… so fabulous! We just got our 2nd rescue… an 8 lb pomeranian who is 6… and had 5 litters of puppies in her short life. We’ve named her Pumpkin to match her coloring… it’s an adjustment to the household, but always a good one!

  40. Pepper

    Welcome home Licorice!
    and Congrats, she looks so sweet!

  41. Tammy

    Aaaawww! What a cutie. Congrats!

  42. bad penguin

    She’s adorable! Congratulations on finding your pup.

  43. AnnieR

    She’s so cute!!! And yay for you with the name attention training. You’d be surprised at how many dogs have absolutely no idea what their name is-everyone in the family calls them something different and they don’t respond to anything…

  44. Karen

    What a beautiful face :-)

  45. Alison

    What an adorable doggie! Congratulations!

  46. Brandy

    Aww, too cute! We had one that looked very similar when I was a teenager. Very loving dogs.

  47. Karin

    She is much too cute. I hope there will be many pictures of her! ;)

  48. Paula

    WooHoo! She IS adorable! I love her name…it’s perfect for her. Congrats! Where is she sleeping?

  49. Sara

    The cuteness. It kills. She definitely looks like she’ll blend right in. Aren’t you all (including the dog) lucky to have each other? Enjoy her!

  50. Shala

    I am so glad your bad experience didn’t turn you off to dogs. I know your family will provide a wonderful home to your newest addition

  51. RuthWells

    Oh, the cutes! Give that snoot a smooch for me.

  52. Mom

    Let’s see now… would that make my Xena her grandmother?

    Enjoy, you guys. You finally got the doggie who was looking for you.

    Much love,
    Mom

  53. Jean

    Science Diet Sensitive Stomach is great for the tummy. She’s beautiful and so sweet!

  54. MyFaithandJoy

    Congratulations on your lap-ful of Love!

  55. Michele Bardsley

    Woo-hoo! What a sweet baby. Give him kisses!

    Also, my shih tzu also had a skin allergy. Vet said he could be allergic to fleas, and gave us a medicated shampoo. I also use Frontline once a month on the animals, and it really helps.

  56. J from Ireland

    Yay, so happy you finally got you dog. Such a cute face its no wonder yis didn’t have to discuss it!!

  57. Alison C

    So cute!
    And a lovely name!

  58. Jamie

    Yay, yay, yay!!!

  59. ccr in MA

    Oh, congrats! She’s much too cute to turn down.

  60. Ann

    another food suggestion–rice and hardboiled eggs for a few days, help settle the stomach (we use after the grass eating episodes).
    And Licorice is spoiled??? As I’ve been told: “This makes a difference to”…
    the other dogs in the neighborhood? (nope), the kids? (nope), Otto? (doubt it), you? (nope). Lucky for us dogs can be spoiled and it doesn’t effect them when they grow up !!!!
    Enjoy–I love black puppy dogs !!!

  61. Heather

    Hooray! :D I’m so glad you found a pup! Congrats.

  62. Evelyn

    Yay! I’m glad she finally found you :) I’d love to adopt some day… hopefully this works out better than the last!

  63. kat

    Too adorable!!! I’m so happy for the whole family!!!!

  64. Catherine

    Amazing. Congratulations. I hope you all live happily ever after. :-)

  65. David

    At long last. Now, I wonder how long it’ll be before somebody tumbles to her obvious nickname? Lick! =)

  66. Peggyp

    awwwwww so cute!! what a face and I love the name Licorice

  67. Ruth

    That is one cutie patootie; thank goodness for gut instinct and for those people who act on it. I’m sure the dog would echo my sentiments. Good for all of you!

  68. Victoria

    Look at you — just like Chookooloonks with the dog sleeping in the office.

  69. mama speak

    Congrats!!!

    I’m so glad she found you. I’m sure she’s been waiting. (I’m of the belief that our animals pick us, not so much the other way around.)

    It’s gonna be hard but remember, but YOU’re in charge, not her. No matter how much she snuggles, cuddles, licks and kisses you, YOU’re still the boss. (Falls over laughing.) Um, Good Luck w/that. She’s adorable.

  70. aly

    we got a shih tsu mix for my husbands first dog (i had a few dogs growing up) and lo, he is head over heels. they’re wicked smart and can be a tad stubborn– but oh so lovely (the lap sitting will be for days/months, send reinforcements!) and ours was super easy to toilet train, etc. the cuteness can be deadly– just watch out!!!

    (also they’re terrible attack dogs, in case the cute didnt let you know that. ;) our dog is uninterested in chasing bunnies, etc. out of our yard away from our garden– meanwhile i’m crazy windmill arm woman yelling “YOU’RE A DOG! CHASE THE DAMN BUNNY!” and you can hear the bunny laughing as it hippity hops, at it’s own leisure, far far away.

  71. Kristi

    Oh, Mir! She IS adorable! So happy for you all!

  72. MomCat

    Her nickname can be Allsorts. ; )

  73. Liz@thisfullhouse

    Welcome to the “cute” side of being a dog owner. Wait until Licorice gets into the garbage. Ah, heck…who am I kidding…with that face, a dog can get away with getting into the garbage, right?

  74. Flea

    I can’t even begin to tell you how happy and excited I am for all of you. Congratulations!

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