meet jerry
So Pete has been gone less than two weeks, and we've already adopted a little shelter pup.
This is Jerry. (I voted for Phil. Brian wanted Carl. We all thought Jerry was pretty funny, and it's sticking.)
The truth is I've been trolling Petfinder and the shelter websites for about a year. Petey had been pretty feeble and crabby for awhile, and I wanted the kids to have a dog that they could play with and cuddle. Deep down though, we all knew it couldn't happen until Pete was gone.
Brian and I always assumed that we'd find another Jack Russell- with the typical white body and brown/black spots. But seeing those little dogs that look so much like Pete was too hard. The sadness is still fresh.
The kids and I saw this little fella at a local shelter, Animal Haven. He's a terrier mix- probably about 2 years old. His appearance is different enough, but he's the right size for us. We walked him around the shelter grounds and he was super affectionate to the kids. He played with the other dogs. We took Brian to see him and he agreed.
So we said yes.
As he settles in here, I realize he's much more Jack Russell than I thought. He's almost the black version of Pete, with a longer body and a longer tail. But his demeanor is much more easy going than Pete's ever was. He's a little doggy-ADD-ish, but what young terrier isn't?! He seems happy. Thankful even.
I braced myself for the adjustment period, but honestly there hasn't been much. Knock on wood, I do believe he's already house-trained! A day and a half have passed accident free. He walks well on the leash. He happily greets new adults and children. A small handful of treats later, and he's learned "sit". He stays off the furniture. He fussed in his crate for a couple of minutes last night, but quickly curled up and drifted off.
It's fun getting to know each other. I hope things continue this smoothly... this pup has some big paw prints to fill.
Comments
Oh Jerry, aren't you just the cutest!! I think Stimpy will be excited to meet another little guy who will want to play!
Posted by: rach | July 29, 2010 11:40 AM
jerry has the sweetest eyes. congratulations family!
Posted by: Veronica TM | July 29, 2010 12:06 PM
jerry is perfect for him, i think.
xo, alicia.
Posted by: tara thayer | July 29, 2010 12:13 PM
What a sweet little guy! Congratulations to you all. Sounds like there is a lot of happy over at your house right now. xo
Posted by: miss chris | July 29, 2010 1:28 PM
Hey Jerry - oh those big brown eyes. He's gorgeous.
Posted by: Ali | July 29, 2010 1:44 PM
I can't wait to hear about his exploits!
Posted by: Mama Urchin | July 29, 2010 2:30 PM
Sure do love Jerry! What a cutie pup. We'll just have to walk around the corner and meet him. So happy for the Alfermans!
Posted by: penny | July 29, 2010 2:32 PM
Oh....he fit's in perfect. He's loveable, good mannered, bright eyed and as soon as he figures where you keep that big bag of dog food..he's going to get much fatter..
Posted by: Don Crane | July 29, 2010 3:45 PM
Hello, Jerry! He looks sweet. It's actually a documented fact that black dogs get overlooked at shelters, so you often get a really sweet one that others just didn't give a chance. I hope he keeps fitting right in to his new family!
Posted by: amy h | July 29, 2010 10:35 PM
Congratulations... he's adorable!
Posted by: julie | July 30, 2010 12:26 PM
Hi Jerry! You are so cute! He sounds like a real sweetie A, I'm so glad you found him.
Posted by: heather smith jones | July 31, 2010 9:15 AM
hi jerry! you won the lottery when you got this family. (so happy for you and all the mayflies, alicia).
Posted by: erin | August 1, 2010 1:39 PM
What a cute dog. I had to laugh at the "Dog ADD" line, so did my husband when I told him. Our terrier also suffers from that!
Posted by: Vicky@coffeesandmilkies | August 2, 2010 8:16 AM
those eyes!!!
congrats, alicia. jerry is one lucky fella!
have fun!
Posted by: leslie | August 2, 2010 8:28 PM
good luck with Pete, he's a cutie. I know other people would have waited, but im with you. When we lost Guinness I needed a dog in the house really bad, there was such a void without him. Congrats on the new member of your family.
Posted by: jeanne Boyle | August 5, 2010 1:04 PM
That is the cutes dog EVER!!!!
Posted by: elizabeth Mackey | August 10, 2010 4:21 PM