The other day, I visited my friend Charlotte. Why? Because Charlotte rescues dogs from a kill shelter and one of her recent rescues just had a litter of puppies.
As many of you know, Denis has put a freeze on the acquistion of new dogs in the Leary household. The kids and I are always whining about getting a new dog, but Denis always brings us around to his sensible viewpoint, which is that we have a very amiable pack at present, never a growl or raised hackle between them. They’re all trained and relatively well-behaved and there is almost enough room in the bed for Denis and me to stretch out between them at night.
So I didn’t tell him I was going to look at the puppies.
I just went for a little look.
Well, I needed to see that Charlotte had everything well in hand!
When I got our of my car, I was greeted by Charlotte’s pack of small rescue dogs and in their midst was a wonderful female version of our former Pongo – a scrappy terrier mutt.
“Oh my God, I love her,” I said, pointing to the terrier, and Charlotte said, “She’s the puppies’ mom, Peanut!”
So into the house we went to look at the puppies. Peanut trotted ahead of us and turned her head around every few seconds to bark and yap at me. Her barks weren’t aggressive, nor were they entirely friendly. She was stating, in no uncertain terms, that she had her eye on me; that if I thought she was going to let me anywhere near her puppies, I had another think coming; that I’d better just watch myself; that she knew a puppy stealer when she saw one; that she didn’t want my germs on her puppies, etc. We proceeded through the house listening to Peanut’s list of things I could and could not do, and finally arrived in the bathroom where the puppies’ whelping box is kept. There we saw that one of the puppies’ elderly foster uncles (a portly and grizzled chihuahua mix) had stepped into the box to have a sniff. Peanut leapt into the box and sent him on his way with a long, low admonishing growl, then she frantically sniffed and checked all her pups, looking up at us every few seconds as if to say, “Did you see that? That disgusting ….male …was in the box with my babies. Did you see? Did you see that?”
After she gave her babies a snack and licked them all clean, she was much more relaxed and allowed me to hold them. I want to go back and take some better photos and maybe we can help Charlotte place these gorgeous pups in wonderful homes.
Charlotte is very special. She takes in dogs that are on death row at a Waterbury, CT shelter, and she has had great success placing them. She ends up keeping some of the very old dogs that she can’t place. She had found a home for Peanut soon after she rescued her, but when the prospective adopters learned she was pregnant they changed their minds.
After learning about the pregnancy, Charlotte decided to keep Peanut and the puppies until the puppies are weaned. On October 1st, Peanut climbed into her whelping box and began delivering her puppies, while Charlotte and the other dogs quietly watched. She is a very dedicated and fastidious mother, dear Peanut, and has wonderful manners in the house. I told Charlotte that if she doesn’t become too attached to Peanut, and still wants to place her after the puppies find homes, well…..
I showed Denis the photos last night.
“NO PUPPIES,” he said.
Then he said, “The mom is cute.” He asked me to hand over the computer so he could have a better look.
“She’s a Pongo, alright,” he said, smiling.
Your friend Charlotte is a wonderful person with an incredibly big heart! Those puppies are adorable.
I love stories like that. I too am a dog lover and at one point we had 5 dogs. We had one stray dog running around our property for a few days and ended up finding 8 puppies in a log. My husband put his foot down and said no more dogs!!! I think shelters are so full right now because of the economy people are putting their dogs there because they can’t afford them. Charlotte is an inspiration!!
the learys are getting a dog, the learys are getting a dog! peanut is, well, an adorable little peanut.
i heart charlotte!!
Awww, adorable, wishing a puppy in your home soon!
Charlotte is an inspiration.. what a heart. I love peanut already. I have two dogs and my son and I want a third. My husband is against it… but, well, we still have some hope. We believe the third will find us… kind of like peanut found you.. nice story, keep us posted with pics on those cute pups. yeah!
Me thinks Mr leary is beginning to melt……. sounds like Peanut has a new home……. very excited for you…. gorgeous story……..
just read NY Times article, first time on your blog.
my experience is as follows; we had 3 dogs; a tibetan mastiff, a little pug and a retired guide dog, it was a wonderful mix and a loving group. then my husband decided on a female tibetan mastiff since all our dog were getting old/sick.
so….we had four dogs. again charming fun easy. my heart broke when the old guide dog died. a few months later i adopted an other retired guide dog, but more or less around the same time, blinded by grief i decided to adopt a dog i had always admired…. a scottish deerhound. i don’t know what came over me but i had always wanted a deerhound so penny joined the pack. the little pug died a few months after penny joined us. watching penny zip around the large running pen we decided to adopt her brother so she would have a serious runner as a companion.
again heartbroken over the death of my little cuddly pug, i looked into a affenpinsher type little dog. i stopped then and there, i can never replace my little klemmie.
adopting a new dog to ease the sadness does truly help, but i was going overboard.
as i write this our pack consist of;
norbu a 148lbs male tibetan mastiff; 9 years old.
celeste a 97lbs female tibetan mastiff; 4 years old.
milou a 65 lbs retired guide dog, he is a 5 year old male standard poodle.
penny a 90lbs female scottish deerhound , 18months old.
scott a 95 lbs male scotttish deerhound, 18 months old.
the only drawback to as many dogs is that i find it difficult/impossible to have truly close relationships with each of the five dogs as i did when there were only three to love, give time and attention to.
would i give one away? NEVER but i will not replace my old friends until i am left with only two………..well, a little one really only counts as half.
all the best to all of you,
elise
gladwyne pa
Dear Ann,
This is a lovely post—on so many levels! (And it makes me so EXCITED for your upcoming book!!!!)
All the best,
Lynne
Maybe it is a good time to give the caretaker a dog? just a th0ught.
I am so glad that you live half so far away because I would so be getting all those puppies.
My cousin has a beautiful dog named Pecan and she gets so annoyed with me because I am forever calling her Peanut.
I call her Peanut because isn’t that just so much cuter?
Pecan sounds a bit too posh in my opinion for a dog that is definitely a peanut.
PS Where is Lupe.
Lupe dont go off us.
Please comment so we know you still care.
The Leary’s ARE getting a dog…
Me also thinks Mr. Leary is softening up some…
How many pups did she have?
(THIS IS the writing I mean).
Thank you Annie… I was traveling yesterday.. and huffing and puffing and bringing the house down, both.
Love
Welcome Elise (and all other new commenters/readers). We had two Irish Wolfhounds at one time. I’m saving my stories about them for my book. They had died before I started the blog, so I don’t believe I’ve mentioned them much here. These giants were missed for so long. I’ve needed distance to be able to write about them because the death of the last one made me very sad. He was very ill. My kids had sort of grown up with him. His passing marked the end of a very wonderful time in our family.
p.s. welcome back Ms. Lupe!
I read about your blog in the NY Times too, and I’m glad I did. Lots of interesting stories. This one’s a nice one. Charlotte is a good soul. I’m glad I don’t live near those puppies, because after one visit, I’d be on the waiting list to adopt “a few.” I’ve got a cat named Ernie, and with all my traveling, he’s the most responsibility I can handle right now.
I think that any dog that comes into your lives will be a lucky and happy one.
Such cute little puppies…How wonderful that Charlotte rescues dogs, what a big heart she has!!!
I am going out on a limb here thinking that the Leary’s might be getting another four legged furry family member????
When I got to “The mom is cute” I actually started welling up. And I’m one of those cold cat people!
OOhhh—a new dog is coming to live with you !! Lucky you and lucky dog!! Charlotte sounds like a gem,there should be more people in the world like that. The puppies are too cute–if we lived closer, my daughter would start the whining to bring one home with us…then we’d have to melt the Mr. Softy (who denies it of course) who lives with us.
Barbara
Oh man! You sound like me! I always say no more animals and then end up with one more! We currently have a Golden Retriever, a Weimaraner (don’t ever get one!), a toy poodle and two cats. Between my husband and this economy, we have definitely put the brakes on any more pets. Maybe someday…
Hey, before you get any new pets, what’s the latest on the pet bats situation?
Ann, you had me laughing so hard with your description of Peanut telling you all the things that you couldn’t do to the puppies, but the description of Peanut after the elderly uncle was in the box had me absolutely howling! Hilarious.
But this: ‘Then he said, “The mom is cute.” He asked me to hand over the computer so he could have a better look.
“She’s a Pongo, alright,” he said, smiling.’ Was an absolute awwwww moment. I agree, mama Peanut may be a Leary soon. Crossing my fingers for all of you.
thank you ann,
i also wanted wolfhounds, but we settled for the deerhounds because the wolfhound’s short life span is heartbreaking . after my guide dog died we would not risk a new dog dying on us in 2-3 years. how long did yours live?
as i researched the wolfhounds and deerhounds i came across a wonderful wolfhound rescue women in new jersey outside philadelphia.
we almost took in a couple she just received. they were 3-4 years old had been brought to her by a women recently divorced who had lost her job, had to sell her home and move into an apt.i do not to even want to think of that drive to bring her hounds to the lovely rescue lady, the poor women had two children in tears also.
there really is little or no different temperment wise between the two breeds, but the deeries life span is about 10 years.
i understand your waiting to write about your hounds, i still cannot talk or write about eider my retired guide dog without tearing up. five months after his death eider was awarded a prize for his excellence as a therapy dog, we did this together for many years. i am a well controlled professional woman of 50……………..i burst into tears in front of the entire gathering and could not stop babbling about my boy.
you can see my entire canine family on my daughter’s boyfriend website; dallagovet.com.
yes he is a vet and i was the matchmaker.
again thank you ann for your hello.
elise
oh Ann, I love this post today! and I agree with Tracy….you had me at “The mom is cute.” Beautifully written & congratulations to the Learys. And Peanut.
))
It sounds as though dear Peanut has found a home. Not only with a loving family, but with three brand new best friends and some horses (and maybe a few bats thrown in for good measure). Your friend Charlotte sounds amazing. I volunteer at a no kill shelter in Chicago called PAWS and we routinely rescue ‘hard-to-place’ animals from Animal Care and Control. Right now, Red, the 7-year old Pitbull is resting comfortably in a room (there are no cages at PAWS), along with his donated wheelchair. You see, he was shot in the spine and paralyzed during a home invasion over the summer and his elderly owner was tied up in the garage and severely beaten. The man visited Red at Animal Care and Control when he was released from the hospital and it was determined that he couldn’t care for a paralyzed 60 pound Pitbull. The gentleman lives on the second floor and has health issues, so carrying a dog up and down stairs wasn’t an option. He and several staff members cried as he was trying to decide whether to put Red down or surrender him to Animal Care and Control. A PAWS employee happened to be there (we pull animals every day from ACC) and PAWS decided to take him and found an organization willing to donate a wheelchair. I was with Red yesterday and he’s a doll. And when you put him in that wheelchair, look out! He zooms around with a huge smile on his face. I know we’ll find a home for him. So, hearing about people like your friend Charlotte warms my heart. She’s an angel. And so are the Leary’s for taking in Peanut. Best of luck to you all!
Certainly sounds like Peanut may have a new home soon.
Megan, what an amazing story. As the mom of a rescued pit bull I know it’s hard to find them good homes. The wheelchairs sounds like it gives him the freedom to be a dog again after all the suffering he’s been through. If I didn’t live in a townhouse in the western suburbs with several floors of stairs I’d take him in.
Megan in Chicago, that story made me cry. For poor Red for being shot, for his owner for being beaten and terrorized, and then not being able to keep him, and then finally a good kind of cry for the wheelchair.
Two miracles happened there: a member of PAWS was there when Red needed him, and someone donated a wheelchair for him. Beautiful.
Does Red’s owner ever get to come visit him?
Megan -
That is an incredible story and so tragic for Red and his owner. It is great that PAWS took him in! I volunteer most weekends for a no-kill shelter in Ocean City, NJ and we take in dogs that are due to be put down from other shelters.
My stepdaughter just adopted a female Pit Bull who is an absolute doll! When I ask her how Kelsey is doing, she always says the same thing “she’s happy all the time!”
Oh Meghan, that story is so sad, because you know Red was shot while trying to protect the man. Glad there was a happy ending.
Catherine, thanks for reminding me. Batman was here the other day while I was out. Tomorrow I’ll post photos of the insane contraptions he rigged to the outside of our house. They’re supposed to let the bats out, but then they can’t figure out how to get back in. The man obviously doesn’t understand the intelligence and wit of the Leary bats. I could just see their leathery-winged shoulders shaking with mirth at the sight of Batman tying the contraptions onto our house.
I’ve spent the entire weekend reading your blog from beginning to end. I have really enjoyed your stories and your animal photos. But now I must get something done around here!
Megan, thanks so much for sharing your story about Red and his owner. I am always caught off guard when I hear about something so cruel (the home invasion, beating, shooting). Today’s blog has been so emotional!
One of my cats (Riley) was rescued from a kill shelter. When I took her to her first vet appt with me I told the doctor I thought she might have cancer, because I felt these little bumps under one of her front legs and one on her neck. He felt them and said, “Those are BB bullets.” I started crying right there. I couldn’t believe someone could do such a horrible thing. Riley is fine now and the love of my life. Her personality is so sweet and loving. I always hope she knows that she’s safe now.
It’s amazing that the flip side of such cruelty is the extreme love and care that animal organizations give these mistreated animals. I’m at a loss for words (well, now that I’ve finished babbling.)
P.S. Ann, just saw your Twitter post. One Thanksgiving we did the same thing with the Turkey. Ended up having hot dogs and tater tots! It was actually pretty fun.
Can’t wait to see the pics Ann. Batman should know how smart the Leary bats are, high intelligence runs in the family.
Oh my God Cath, you just made me cry. Poor little Riley! I’ll never understand the cruelty people can do to animals and each other. I know that Riley knows she’s safe with you. I firmly believe that rescue animals know what they are rescued from, and are eternally grateful and loving for it.
Michele, welcome to the blog. I’m impressed, you read every one? I found the blog last in April, and have wanted to go back and read what I missed, but have never had the time.
Tracy, I forgot to tell you, I am scheduling my visit to the therapeutic riding center for this coming weekend! I’m telling you, Ann’s blog, you and my therapist (at a buck ten an hour) are really changing me! I’m trading in my awful on-line writing class for the therapeutic riding center – ha.
(Riley is sprawled on my lap right now and my other cat, Ziva, is sprawled on the recliner in the corner. When I die, I want to come back as one of my cats – ha.)
Ann, just a heads up, but post #47 on “Trying on the New Blog” is a whole list of porno links. You might want to delete before young children see it…
Uggggg, Catherine, thanks
Ann….
Thank you! I have NEVER read a BLOG before..prior to yours.
I was finally prompted by the NY Times article this past weekend.
What, in fact, prompted it? The fact that I am also…a ‘Town and Country’ lady. The deeply steeped connections with this exceptional city, which I’ve always embraced and adored since childhood, along with the whole Hampton’s thing that was equally as terribly special to both myself and our children. Yet, the draw of the Berkshires, and its both marvelous and exquisite beauty……….proved a greater draw. Ergo, embracing a marvelous ‘compound’………well north of the city. Is it a ‘Central Park’ of its own? You bet! Simply took 3 backbreaking years to both gut, restore, and add on to…..before ever sleeping in. Was it worth the task….YOU BET! Now allow me to get onto the connection here. Is there an 8 stall barn on the property? Yes. Were there 2 paddocks on the property? Yes. Do we own so much as a goldfish? No! Yet, I do know the utter delight of the former owners, that they dispensed on their most precious residents of this property. As I understand, 4 of them are buried here. Sometimes, when I am in the barn……I look at the wearing of the floor boards, the beautifully adorned doors to their stalls…….the tack room that adjoins, and I simply stand there, and simply imagine. Yet, presently we only delight in the amazement of our 7 grandchildren who revel in the extraordinary elements of all that exist here. (Did have the marvelous luck of coming upon an absolute full scaled corn husk horse, created in the Amish country)…Mr. Jiggles resides in one of the stalls today!
Thanks for sharing such nice a article. Mother in the article is really great and she takes care of her puppies.
That white puppy should be a LEARY puppy!
I’m keeping my paws crossed that Peanut joins the pack..
I would love to rescue a dog, any dog…
Yeah Cath, Yeah!!!! I’m so happy for you. Can’t wait to hear about your visit there. Ann and this blog have changed me too: opened me up to new experiences and people I would never have found, including you, my sister from another mother.
Sounds like a perfect evening at home with the kitties. I too want to come back as one of my cats. Free room and board, someone to clean your bathroom, a warm lap and bed to sleep in, all the love you want. Plus 3 million cat toys that my owner would buy that I wouldn’t play with because I’d prefer paper bags and twist ties. lololol
I owe you an email, will get on it today!
Happy Birthday Catherine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The mother is definitely a cutie and it sounds as though you may have worn down Denis.
Get a great picture of her and make it the screen saver on all the computers in the house. I think that would break down anyone.
Yes, I read every post. It was a rainy weekend here in NH. And… I got sucked in and couldn’t stop reading!
Tracy and Catherine —- are you REALLY sisters??????
Like in blood sisters……or are you the kind where I can be one too?
Michele, I love that you did that!
Sandy,
Tracy and I are identical twins. As far as I know, we’re the only twins on this blog. I was born 6 minutes after Tracy, so she is technically the oldest. We were separated at birth, because our parents got divorced. I was raised in England with our mom and Tracy was raised on a ranch with our dad. We never knew the other existed. We found each other when we were about 11 years old, when we attended summer camp in Maine. Then we switched places with each other, so I could meet Dad and Tracy could meet Mom. We both look a lot like Haley Mills.
J/K – we’re not blood sisters, you’re welcome to become part of the family
ROTFLMAO Cath, & yes, I meant to use capital letters!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahaha you kill me! I started reading your post, and thought, wow that’s an awful lot like The Parent Trap! lololololol My favorite book and movie growing up(the original, not the one with icky Lindsay Lohan in it.)
OMG, my stomach hurts so much from laughing so hard! I can’t stop. Out of all the clever, funny things you’ve written here, that is by far the best!
Sandy, we call each other sisters from other mothers because we have so many things in common and think so much a like that sometimes I hear the Twilight Zone music in my head when we’re emailing back and forth. And we would never have found each other if not for Ann’s blog.
And yes, you’re welcome to be one of our sisters.
Couldn’t resist
Hi Ann – I discovered your blog by way of the NYT article and am enjoying it immensely. What an interesting woman you are. Intelligent,sensitive, attractive, with a wicked sense of humor! The blog is wonderful. I particularly enjoy the photos and the inclusion of poems. What I like most about you is your love of animals, particularly dogs and horses, a passion that I share. You have a great pack, particularly Lulu, Daphne and the one and only Mark. I have never seen a horse with a more beautiful face. Where did you find him? I have a Welsh Terrier named Charley, who is now 11-1/2 yrs old, who I rescued when he was a year old. He’s cuter than anything and quite cheeky, with a typical terrier personality. He’s my surrogate child. I work full time and live in an apt. so right now can only manage one dog. My dream when I retire is to have 3 dogs. I read in one of your previous blogs that you had Irish Wolfhounds at one time. If I had to choose one breed that I would just love to have, it would be a wolfhound. Maybe someday. I’m writing to encourage you and your kids to use all you’ve got to convince HIM to let Peanut become part of the Leary pack. That dog belongs in your home for sure. Charley and I are keeping our fingers crossed!
Tracy and Cath – you had me for about 3 seconds – as I too, recognized the Parent Trap w/Haley Mills – my fave movie growing up! I fantacized about being her at the ranch! Brian Keith was such a cool dad……
I will be your sister fromk Texas, don’t have a ranch – just 5 acres, but I do have horses and dogs…..You guys are to funny !!!!!! Happy Trails to you!
Hi I am from Malaysia and I rescue dogs from the local SPCA who has hundreds of dogs dumped at them every month. My American husband and I have 65 rescue dogs and 3 x a week we bring them up to our Sanctuary (2.5 acres) for a day of country fun. They go wild and love it and we are having a wonderful time rescuing dogs. Last week a mommy (Pom-Pom) and 5 pups(3 weeks old) were abandoned in the hot sun (puppies eyes rolling, tongues hanging out)and a good soul rescued them. My husband, Donne, said 60 dogs was the limit…so after a long story we have 65. In Malaysia we have help at reasonable rates and therefore I am able to do this. I always tell our friends our lives have gone to the dogs! And I love it!
Ann,
We adopted Peanut’s “Buddy” soon after he was born! Brought him home this Thanksgiving weekend. Charlotte is AWESOME and sooooo dedicated, eh?!! Anyway, Buddy (male #1) has adjusted beautifully and is asleep on my lap as I write this. What did you finally name “Ms. Leary???” I voted for “Honey”. She is gorgeous! Thanks for your Blog.
Lollie
Hey Lolly, we loved Buddy! Great pick! I just spoke to Charlotte and told her what a smart girl our pup is. So clean, not an accident in the house yet. We love her. Welcome to the blog!