Fur Children

I have four fur children.  I love them all equally, even when they are misbehaving.

Java is the oldest, a Chihuahua, though, oddly, a rather quiet one, who is going blind and deaf...but not dumb.  She is a diva.  She has the attitude of a cat in a dogs body.  Java is convinced that she must be carried everywhere, held constantly and sleep under blankets.  She also must go on every car ride EVER.

Reno is the next in line...he is a mutt, boxer mixed with Jack Russell and Chihuahua.  It makes for an interesting combination.  He is a Mama's boy.  Where ever I go, he must follow.  He must be able to see me at all times...even now, as I sit here on the computer he is on the couch 20 feet away...staring at me. He also believes he has to sleep under the covers of my bed, pressed against me. Reno thinks Java is his girlfriend, she does not agree.

Daisy comes next.  Daisy is part Jack Russell but mostly Dachshund, which means we spend the day listening to her talk and putting her ears the "right way".  She jumps very high, and sits on things  she doesn't mean to because she forgets how long she is.

Reno and Daisy are also both part Jack Rabbit.

Gabby comes last, she is a cat but believes she is a half dog and half human.  She drinks out of the toilet.  It's weird.

Getting two legged children ready to go outside and play in the winter is hard.  Getting 3 four legged children ready to go out in the winter is harder.  Especially on a single digit temperature day.

I start with Reno.  He loves to put his coat on and so happily runs to me when I get it out.  However, he is SO excited that he wiggles through the whole thing making it difficult to get on him.  He also does not like having his feet touched, so I get nibbled on the fingers while putting his coat on...of course then he feels guilty for nibbling me and between nibbles licks me.  By the time I am done, he is warm in his coat and my fingers are all slimy.

Java is next because while she isn't necessarily excited about getting dressed, she IS cooperative.  I put on her coat making sure her ears are covered and then I put her booties on her feet.  When I put her down she sits and glares at me.

Daisy is last.  Daisy has been freaked out by watching this process so I have to go find her.  She is under my bed...in the middle...and it takes me a while to drag her out.  Meanwhile, Reno is whining and scratching at the door to go out.  I tell him he has to wait a minute.  Daisy goes completely rigid and stiff while I try to put her coat on her.  It takes me a while as she feels like she has died and gotten stiff, but eventually I get it.

I'm sweating.  I head over to the door, dragging a stiff Daisy behind me.  Reno is bouncing, yipping and dancing.  Java is glaring and her booties are sitting on the floor beside her.  I pick her up.  I pick her booties up. 

Me: "You must wear your booties, its freezing outside"
Java: "No"
Me: "Put your foot IN the bootie and quit arguing with me!"
Java: "No"
Me: "If you don't have your booties on your feet will get cold and I'm NOT coming out there to get you!!! PUT YOUR BOOTIES ON!!!!!"
Java: "NO! And if you try to put them on me ONE MORE TIME I will glare at you and bite you!"

Exasperated I give up on her booties and let them all out.  Reno and Daisy go FLYING out the door running and yelling..."WOOHOO!! YIPPEEE!!!! LETS PLAY!!!!"
Java takes a small step outside and looks at me glaring.
Me: "I told you to put your booties on, now get out there and go potty!"
Java: "It's cold"
Me: "I know its cold but if you go quick you can get back in the house quick and warm up under the blanket"
Java: *SIGH* "Fine!"

After a few minutes Daisy and Reno have finished doing what they needed to and come running back to the door.  I let them in and look for Java.  Java is across the yard taking turns with her feet.  First the front left paw comes up and stands in the air a bit.  Then the right back foot. 

Me: "Come on Java"
Java: "COME GET ME IT'S COOOOLLLLDDD!!!"
Me: "I TOLD you I was NOT coming to get you! Now run across the yard and get in the house"
Java: "I CAN'T MY FEET ARE FROOOOOOZZZZEEENNN!!!"
Me: "Your fine, you only have to walk 10 feet, now come on."
Java: "HELLLP MEEEE"

Me....muttering...walks across the lawn in my slippers and picks her up.

Java: "SUCKER!!"