IT'S JAVA'S 12th GOTCHA DAY

About the time
our human brother and sister
got old enough
to be able to
take care of themselves,
Mom and Dad decided
to get a dog.
They looked at rescue dogs,
at kennel dogs, at pet shop dogs
searching for a Scottie
or Schnauzer that they
could either purchase or adopt.
They did not really find a dog
that they could connect with
until
they
met
JAVA

He was almost 4 months old
when they found him.
He had been returned to the
pet store in Laguna Hills Mall
because the family that had purchased him
had some problems with illnesses
and couldn't keep him.
He had already been taught
some wonderful obedience skills
and knew how to walk on a leash,
come when called
and not to bother the family
during meal time.

Mom and Dad felt really fortunate
to find him and to be able to
rescue him from the pet store.

He moved from California to Virginia
with Mom and Dad when they
moved to Mom's ancestral farm.

He learned to be off leash
and to come when called.
Before they moved here,
Java would not sit on the grass.
If it wasn't tile or carpet,
he wouldn't sit or lay on it -
he was such a city dog.

And then he got to experience
his first snow -
and he loved it.

He got to stay at home alone
when Mom and Dad went on trips.
And he let Mom make goofy pictures of him
so she could make thank you cards
for Mrs. Donna
when she came and
watched him.

And then one day,
Mom and Dad left Java
in the care of Mrs. Donna
and when they returned
they had a little black Scottie
who immediately fell in love with Java.

He was so patient with her
and even let her sit on his back
to watch TV.
(Lilly's eyebrows are missing
due to a grooming error)

And now he's a wonderful
big brother to
our
"Arrrooo Crew"
and we all love him.

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java