Princess Leia was Adopted!

The newest addition to our family did indeed become our baby. We fell in love with this little dog very quickly. It was hard to stick to the decision to have her adopted. Even though we managed with all the traveling we do on weekends for ultimate frisbee, we felt bad that she didn't have a home to roam in on the weekends and lots of good walks. And more, we work on average 10 hours a day, so she was being left alone sometimes 12-13 hours if we had dinner commitments. It was unfair and would have been selfish to keep her. But we struggled with this decision. Leia was found on April 19th, and she was adopted July 7th. We had her for over 2 months and became quite attached. Here is a bit of a chronicle of her time with us.

 How can you not love this face?



Doggie on the kitchen mat



Leia eventually got this name because we kept calling her 'Princess' and that seemed a little too ... lame. So we decided to geek it up a little. It suited her perfectly. It was clear that in her previous home she was a lap dog who spent time on the couch. While we didn't let her on the couch, we did allow her to sleep on us while we were sitting there. She was happiest on JM's chest.

We had Leia for less than a week before she went into heat. Clearly my worry about her being pregnant because she had nipples was false. Notice the diaper in the picture above. This was not our favourite time. But we loved her anyway.

We continued to treat Leia for all her medical ailments. Mostly, it was her skin. She has a condition similar to eczema that we needed to get under control. This required weekly showers with special shampoo. 

  

Leia was a great walking buddy, and particularly loved running off leash.

Because Leia is a shih tzu, she does not shed, but rather needs to be groomed. After her hair cut, she looked so naked! And I think she also felt this way.

  

One night in June, Leia got sick (we didn't know) and cried the whole time. She would not stop crying and barking, not matter how angry we got. Upon visiting the vet the next day it seemed she had intestinal stress and we needed to cut back food and give her a calming drug that would help with digestion. We felt so bad for being angry that we let her sleep with us, in the spare room. She was happy as a clam at the foot of the bed. It just made us love her more. 

  

Trying to interrupt my marking

 Leia trying to jump on the bed. She did it once when we weren't looking!

She had a few suitors for adoptive parents, but only one made it through! A lovely lady from the USA who is teaching here came to visit her and patiently filled out all the paperwork. If we were going to give up our baby, it would have to be to the right home. From all the pictures we've seen, it looks like Leia has adjusted well. It helps to know that she's happy in her new home.

Giving me the eye because I'm taking too many pictures

Where is Leia?

There she is!

 Out for a walk!

We miss Leia, but know we made the right decision. Who could not miss waking up, or coming home to this face everyday? She's a wonderful dog and made our first fostering experience unforgettable.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. - Roger Caras