Dogs are like children...

but I don't think children try and fight to the death like my dogs do. Today is the third time in the last couple of weeks that Chevy and Ari have gotten into a pretty major fight. It's getting to the point that I have to do some drastic behavior modification or get rid of one of them. I don't know what to do anymore, because I know I'm the problem. (or, at least, I'm 99.99% sure I'm the problem.) For instance, today I was out in the backyard and playing with Chevy, as soon as i turned around to play with Ari, Chevy was at his throat attacking him, from what I believe is extreme jealousy. I'm a big girl, but today I was shown just how weak and helpless I am when two dogs are duking it out. I just want us to be one big happy family!! David had to come out and handle the situation himself, because apparently they only respect him. I hate feeling so helpless in that situation, especially when it's a fight between two of MY dogs. I don't know what to do, but I'll definitely have to look up some local trainers here in Austin and maybe get someone to come out and get him/her to assess the situation.

Welcome to the jungle.

He's a little monster...

...can you tell? Ringo is his name and destroying is his game. Earlier this week, when I let him out for his daily romp around the house I found him upstairs (Yes, he climbs the stairwell several times in his romp -- he loves it!) in the master bathroom ripping up toilet paper and knocking the trashcan over. What a doll. Not the point, but still a funny one :)
Ringo is my just-over-a-year old ferret who I love to death! He's cute, cuddly, and oh so fun to play with. As you can see in the picture, he is great in pictures. I think I also got very lucky because this picture was TOTALLY the result of perfect timing. Apparently, I've been very lucky personality wise with my little man. He's just such a joy to have, I'm surprised someone hasn't tried to steal the little booger from me. I don't think I've ever loved a little squirmy furry thing more. He's come in and stolen my heart<3

If a picture is worth a thousand words...

...I'm pretty sure 1000 words would not be enough to cover the look Chevy is giving in this picture. I mean, to be honest, knowing my dog, this is several angry emotions wrapped up into one look. I don't know if it has come to your attention yet, but Chevy is also trying to smother Ari, our resident mini moose. Ari is also a source of conflict for Chevy, I think it's more of a love/hate relationship with those boys. Chevy loves that Ari is around, but can't stand it when mommy (me) gives anyone else attention. Although, in the end, I think it is a wonderful relationship that they have, and I hope that it will continue long into their lives. On the other had, Chevy might be trying to tell me that he completely disagrees with the last statement I just made and wants this evil, attention sucking dog out of his home immediately. Who knows? All I know is that this makes a pretty darn good conversation piece and I love the photo ops these two give me.

For those of you who are tuning in and don't know about my dogs, I'll give you a little history lesson:
In the hilarious photo to the left, you will see that I have a very... special dog. His name is Chevy and he is a Blue Heeler/ American Bulldog mix. I got Chevy at a very young age, and my first meeting with Chevy was in the back of a pick up truck. I found a post on Craigslist about a woman with several puppies that needed a home immediately, she lived on a farm and the alleged father of the dogs was killed by Coyotes and she was afraid that a similar fate would befall the pups if she held on to them any longer. Dun da da dun da dun! Here I came to the rescue! Not too long after I had met Chevy, he was ready to go and I took him home. Chevy was a tiny puppy, and I never expected him to get as big as he did -- I was originally told he was a Basset Hound mix. Imagine my surprise when he got to 45 pounds and taller than both his parents! After countless accidents in the house, countless toys, carpet, beds and whatever else he could fit in his mouth had been destroyed, he ended up being the best damn dog I could have asked for. I've never had such a loyal dog before, he even got between me and my mom one morning when she tried to wake me up from a nap! (GOOD BOY!) He's a beautiful dog, never seen another one like him, and I probably never will again. It is a shame that I fixed him, I would have liked to see more of him in the future! Needless to say, ever since that fateful day in the back of a truck, life has been a complete adventure with that dog.

Ari is another case entirely. Affectionately known as Mini Moose, Mini Horse and/or Moose Head, he is large and not so much in charge... of anything... Including himself. That dog has swept more things off coffee tables with that tail of his than a Swiffer duster has uses. He constantly barges into rooms and knocks into every piece of furniture before making a speedy get away as D and I are cursing his name. D thinks I chose a defective dog when I went hunting for our third (the second is D's dog, Karma, a totally super cute Sharpei/Pit mix who you'll probably hear a million things about) pup on Craiglslist (yet again, I have the best luck on Craigslist I swear!). I found him on a post from Elgin, Tx. I'm guessing this guy is a backyard breeder for ABDA puppies, because when he sent me pictures of the parents, the daddy definitely looked like he was the fightin' type... if you know what I mean. So of course I had to rescue my little dumpling from the possibility of a life at the end of a chain. Cost me a pretty penny, but he has ended up being worth every cent I paid!

Two pets down, 10 more to go!

Welcome to the Jungle.

The Jungle as I know it.

So maybe I have a few more animals than medically necessary. I don't think it's a big deal. I'm not an animal hoarder by any means, I can pay for food and vetting for all my animals, all their cages are clean and my house is in good order. I have 12 animals, yes... 12.

1. One Hedgehog named Oink
2. One Iguana named Lacey
3. Two Crested Geckos -- No names
4. One ferret named Ringo
5. Two Rabbits: Bun B and CoCo Chanel
6. Two Prairie dogs: Timon and Kemah
7. Three dogs: Karma, Chevy and Ari

So, I think that's enough animals to qualify as a "jungle".

Welcome to the Jungle.