I spent the day in Santa Fe yesterday, unfortunately most of it trying to find the right county government building. Sigh. So no cookies but we’re having Chile Relleno with eggs for brunch, and I’ve picked up some (virtual) Sopapilla for Jami. Sopas are a light dough that puffs up into a pillow when fried. Yummm. Not for Mona, but amazingly the Relleno are since they are green chilies stuffed with a bit of cheese and dipped into a whipped egg batter. What could be more carb friendly?
So, on to our guest today. Jami is a fellow Black Opal Books author. Her tag line is: “Urban Fantasy where even the monsters fear what hides in the shadows. Come find me if you dare.” Dang, wish I’d come up with something that catchy! Her first book is Shadow’s Edge–more on that later, right now we’re going to hear about Jami’s furry third child. No, not what you were thinking!
The Canine Equation
by Jami Gray
(Enter small tornado) Okay, Mona, fair warning, you know I don’t cook unless it involves pushing buttons on a microwave or a phone so no nifty recipe from me, however some hot chocolate spiced with jalapeño wouldn’t be out of place.
(Big sigh as takes seat) Before others can ask, yes, I’m from down where the sun dries everything out to jerky and anything over 115 degrees is just hot, dry heat or not! No, not hell, people, Arizona! (shaking head)
So the other day I went out into that big black hole of chaos known as Twitter, and fell into a discussion on dog purchasing. This particular individual was considering an Irish Wolfhound. Her other half was aiming for a Lab. I told her to stick to her guns and go for the Wolfhound, but if she lost, she’d love having a Lab. I can say that because I am the proud owner of an aqua phobic, floor supporting, 110 pound ball of loving devotion known as the Hellhound that moonlights as a Lab.
Long, long ago before the knight in slightly muddy armor and I were blessed with the Prankster Duo, we discussed our canine options. He was all for a Rottweiler and I was leaning more towards the Irish Wolfhound camp. Since neither of us were giving in, we tabled the conversation.
When the younger half of the Duo was about five, and the older one six, we decided it was time to add a four legged, tail wagging component to our family equation. The knight had a co-worker who was looking for new homes for her last litter of AKC labs. He brought home a picture of the group—two boys, three girls—ranging from the sun touched yellow to this beautiful cinnamon color.
We gathered the Duo and headed over to check out the last two pups—one girl, one boy. Up till that point, the Duo were understandably cautious around dogs. Let’s be honest, anything that can stand taller than you and cover your face in one wet swipe was not something you want to mess with.
On the journey over, we had a discussion about our hopefully soon-to-be addition. The boys already had a name picked out—Stitch. Didn’t matter if we went boy or girl, the name was a chosen and there was no wiggle room. Upon arrival, we found out the girl had already chosen her new family so we met the last boy of the group.
It took, maybe, twenty seconds and not only was I head over heels in love, so was my Duo. So enamored of the furball, I failed to take in the size of small dinner plate paws attached to the sweet, dorky tail wagging, kiss monster that would be coming home with us. Arrangements were made and we had our newest family member. Of course the Duo had one complaint at the time, they couldn’t understand why Stitch wasn’t blue. (Yep, Disney had plastered the Lilo & Stitch movies everywhere!)
It’s been 7 ½ years since the hellhound came home and I can’t imagine what our family would be like without him. Beyond the body checks that may mean certain paralyzing falls, he is a champion floor holder (the floors never even consider moving when he’s got them covered) and he’s the best foot warmer ever! Plus, even though he and our pool tend not to see eye to eye, he has no problems providing life guard services when the boys are out swimming. Even though he doesn’t trip up the stairs like he used to, he still manages to come up every night, stuffed paté in mouth (it’s not a real duck, promise!) and lay guard while we sleep. The Prankster Duo has grown along side the Hellhound until he’s become our third furry son. Every morning I’m reminded of why I’m so grateful the knight and I agreed to the canine addition. I’m a firm believer that pets make you laugh more, love deeper, and show you the true meaning of selfless love. Even if they aren’t blue!
Shadow’s Edge: Book 1 of the Kyn Kronicles is out now and Shadow’s Soul: Book 2 of the Kyn Kronicles hits shelves Summer 2012.
Website: www.JamiGray.com
Buy Link: www.BlackOpalBooks.com
Blogs: www.JamiGray.wordpress.com or www.7EvilDwarves.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jamigray.author
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JamiGrayAuthor
Mona Karel Author 
Interesting. I never owned a dog. I’m more of a cat person, but my other half is more for dogs, so we compromised. No pets. Well, not just because we can’t agree, but mostly because we’re both allergic and then there’s time, money, and commitment.
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Nice post, Jami – I love anything about animals, especially labs.
We had a beautiful black lab, Brandy – yes named after the drink – a long story ;), then a chocolate lab, Jessie, inched her way into our hearts. They are both gone now and we miss them terribly.
A pet/dog, any dog definitely make our lives fuller and I hope to have another running around soon.
Good luck with Shadow’s Edge!
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Thanks, guys! And Zrinka, I hear you about allergies. I lucked out and am only allergic to cats, so dogs it was!
Debbie–I know, now that he’s getting older I have little bleak moments of realizations that dogs can’t live forever. Regardless, I have no regrets with my hellhound. He was made for our family!
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Jami, after forty plus years with my dogs I have learned too many times they just don’t last long enough. So we cherish the time we have, and choose for the healthiest dogs when we do a rare breeding
Zrinka, if you look among the Sighthounds you can find very cat like dogs. Sometimes a bit TOO catlike. As in you exist for their pleasure and should be content with that status.
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