Monday, December 16, 2013

Meet Mr. Gus


If you happened to see my Instagram post on Saturday evening, you already know that we added a new member to our family and his name is Gus. He is an absolutely gorgeous German Shorthaired Pointer and there is a good chance that I already love him. 

Let me paint you a written picture of how Mr. Gus made his entrance. 

I took the girls to a holiday event Saturday afternoon. We were playing in fake snow, sliding down slides in potato sacks, chit-chatting with Santa and sipping hot chocolate. Ross had been at the deer lease doing deer lease things and also scheming a little surprise.

He called us on our way home from the holiday fun. He sounded normal. We talked about the upcoming party we had that evening and a few details of the day. Nothing about our conversation seemed out of the ordinary. We ended our talk with. "Bye, I love you. See you in a bit."

The girls and I walked into the house and my parents, Ross and this strange dog were sitting in the living room. I was like, "Oh, heeeeeeey, who's dog is this?" Ross replied, "Surprise, he's ours."

After that everything for the next 5 minutes is sort of a blur. I do know that I freaked a little lot, said a few words, ones that were abbreviated because my kids were in the room and thought it was a big joke.

Here's the deal. I like animals. I really do. I like to pet them, look at them, hear other people's pet stories and watch them on Animal Planet. I just didn't want one living with me. I can barely keep up with our kids, our lives and hectic schedules. I did not want another responsibility tacked onto everything else that is going on in our lives. Also, after my childhood dog died when I was in college, I swore that I would never have an animal again or become attached to one. It broke my heart when we had to put him down and I never wanted to feel like that again. Animals just don't live that long and it's sad. I know, that's kind of a lame excuse for not wanting a pet, but it's the way I feel.

Anyway, the girls have been begging for a dog for the last year or so. Ross has mentioned that he wanted a bird dog. We have casually spoken about it on and off, but nothing was set in stone that we would add another member to our home....so soon.

After calming down a little bit, realizing that this wasn't a joke, seeing my girls excitement and hearing their squeals, I was coming to terms with our new four legged friend.

Gus was owned by the son of a good friend of ours whose allergies started to get the best of him and could no longer keep a dog. So, Ross decided that he would bring this one-year old pup home to live with us for the next 10+ years. GRRRRREAT! (insert sarcasm)

Actually though, it really is great. Mr. Gus has been in our home for less that 48 hours and we have all fallen in love with this sweet boy. He is house and kennel trained, very mild mannered, amazing with the kids and loves to be loved. To say that the girls are obsessed is an understatement. They have already taken on so much responsibility by helping feed, bathe and picking up after his business in the backyard. I don't think either one of them have stopped smiling.

I am still a little shocked and uneasy about this new venture, but know he is going to be such a huge part of our lives and family. Ross always wanted a son. Now he's got one.

P.S. I will be back to my regular scheduled program tomorrow. I just couldn't resist sharing Gus with you guys!

Shanna

56 comments:

Unknown said...

Awww…what a sweet story! My son has been asking for a dog too and my hubby is so ready for it…I feel the same way as you do. Congrats to the new addition to your family!

Alice
www.happinessatmidlife.com

P.S. - I am hosting a giveaway from Kensie. I hope you will have a chance to stop by and enter :)

Ashley said...

Aw I loved reading this!! He is such a cutie and I'm glad you gave in :)

Xo,
Sincerely Miss Ash

Charming Lucy said...

Oh I am so excited for you guys Shanna! Gus is a cutie!! I never really liked dogs but our daughter is an animal fanatic. Slowly she has transformed me into a crazy dog lady. We have two fabulous labs - one named Gus!! They are members of our family now. I actually adore them and miss them when we have to leave them. A dog adds such joy to your life. Joy that no human can add(: Enjoy the heck out of him!! Susan

Unknown said...

So very exciting!! So much love! Have fun!!

My-cliffnotes said...

O M G he is perfect!!

Girl Meets Bow said...

I have a German shorthair- he is the best pup ever! You will be madly in love in no time :)

Girl Meets Bow said...

I have a German shorthair- he is the best pup ever! You will be madly in love in no time :)

Amber Nicole said...

You'll definitely grow to love him.
We have a Bo. He's a 100+ pound American bulldog that is just barely 2 years old. He drives me CRAZY! He's my husband's dog and I truly don't like him.
The kids love him, David loves him, watching the kids play with him kills me, it melts my cold heart. Watching my toddler chase him around and watching how gentle Bo TRIES to be with the kids is just amazing. He thinks he's a person, I swear.
And as much as he drives me crazy, I've grown to love him. I don't admit that to my husband, but I have. He's just so dumb and I think that's what makes him loveable.

Heidi said...

My dad is an avid hunter and growing up we always had hunting dogs. I had two GSPs as a kid and they were two of the coolest dogs I've ever owned. Freckles was a trained hunting dog and he was a big brute in the field, but the most playful dog with us kids and other dogs. My GSP was named Snowman and I carried him home from the pound where he was left malnourished and beaten. He never left my side after I brought him home and he tormented my mom for years because she made the mistake of yelling at me the day after I brought him home! That's loyalty!

They're great dogs. Yes, they're a lot of work, but they're so worth it.

http://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

So exciting!! And since he's already trained, that's half of the battle :) I've been neglecting my own fur baby and it makes me feel terrible... she's such a great dog and needs more attention. Thanks for the reminder (even if you didn't mean to do so) xoxo

Mar Ward said...

Congrats! He's beautiful! I love These dogs. Our friends have one and he still had his tail, it was deadly when he would get excited and pretty painful when it got you in the face.

Always Maylee said...

I won't tell my husband this story because he's determined to one day "surprise" me by bringing home a puppy. Like you, I don't think I can handle an added responsibility right now, so I just keep putting it off. But I'm so glad you all love Gus and he seems to already be a part of the family!

xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee

Alexa said...

He is such a handsome little devil!!! And I love the name Gus :) Even though it came as such a surprise and maybe not at the best time, dogs enrich our lives so much and I'm happy for your girls that they'll get to grow up with a great dog by their sides!

Whitney Ellen said...

This makes me really, really happy. But I'm sure you already knew that. And now I just want to love on Mr. Gus over and over and over again. :)

Helene said...

we really did have similar weekends!! we both got bird dogs!!! too funny/ i will say the fact that he's a year old will help A LOT. he will be out of the puppy phase and easier to handle. we got our first dog when he was a year and a half and it made a huge difference. i think he will be so great for your family! so happy for y'all!

Jenn @ WLB said...

he's such a cutie! I have a pup that's part pointer at home and she's wonderful. She does have some crazy energy though! Mr. Gus seems like he will make your family very happy!

Sarah said...

Awwww so so excited for you guys!! He is beautiful!! We had a friend who had a GSP and she was the best dog (and Floyd's gf, ha!) Can't wait to hear more about Gus!

Alecia said...

I love German Shorthairs. I grew up with them and I have one of my own now. They are the sweetest most loving dogs! I hope you enjoy him completely!

Annie said...

Obsessed! Gus is the cutest Shanna! I would love him already too :) But I totally get what you mean/how you feel about pets. After losing Monty in April, and now with everything Aggie is going through...my heart has had enough. But having them in our lives, for however long, is definitely worth it.

Annie
The Other Side of Gray

Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} said...

SO FUN! Gus looks so sweet!

Kate at Green Fashionista said...

Awwwww love the new surprise addition! Your girls are going to looooove being big sissies to the pupper :)

TaraMixandMatch said...

He is adorable and looks like such a sweet boy :)

SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph said...

It is a huge responsibility and commitment, so I can totally get being taken aback by a new family member all the sudden there when you weren't expecting it.

I wish you and your Gus all the happiness a dog can bring to a home - so glad the girls are taking responsibility for his care. That teaches them a lot and takes some pressure off of you.

Enjoy guys!

TheTinyHeart said...

Aww Gus is so cute! There is no love like the love a dog can give...I know your lives will be enhanced because of Gus!

-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Necklace Giveaway!

Lauren {By Lauren M} said...

That is so exciting! Congrats on your newest family member. Gus is so cute!

Lauren
Fizz and Frosting

Ashley said...

He is very HANDSOME!! And the girls look sooo happy to have him! :o)

Unknown said...

Gotta tell you my story. My dad had been ogling other dogs in car windows for a month or so, which seemed out of character for him. Then, all of sudden, after teasing this cute Yorkie, which was sitting in a car he had rented, he opened up the car, pulled out the Yorkie and set him in my sister's hands.

pinkandnavystripes.com

Sarah Tucker said...

Oh, gus! He is precious! You will be in love in no time. Get a doogy door and you won't even notice the extra responsibility!

Read: We still don't have a doggy door, but in college Chris did and it was amazing!

Rachel said...

haha I would be shocked/worried at first, too. But it looks like your family is taking a liking to him!

Unknown said...

If its any consolation, those are great dogs! Pointers are so so smart. He is adorable!

Carly said...

AWWWWWW he's so cute!!!

Carly
www.lipglossandcrayons.com

All That Glitters said...

Awwwwwwww dogs really are the best! They become like children and I love it! Have fun with him:)

nancy @ adore to adorn said...

AW what a sweet story. Congrats on the new member!! He's fabulous looking!!
xo,
nancy

http://www.adoretoadorn.com

Plum Pretty Sugar said...

Oh what a lovely surprise! He is a beauty!

xo

www.PlumPrettySugar.blogspot.com

Leaving the Corner & Dipping My Toes said...

Well played Ross, bring a dog right before a party when there is no time to reconsider :) (very clever)
You will fall crazy in love with Gus, dogs are the best, and if they are house trained even better.

Natalia
http://leavingthecorneranddippingmytoes.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

What a great looking dog! Congrats on your family member. I am sure that your heart will continue to make room for him :)

Jane {In The Pink & Green} said...

So exciting! He is a gorgeous dog, and it's kind of nice that he's already all trained because potty training a puppy is kind of a pain in the you know what :) He's a lucky dog that will get lots of love! xoxo

Nikki said...

Gus is such a handsome boy!!!! In a week you are going to wonder how y'all ever lived without him. I know it was shocking, but what a fun surprise, especially for your girls. Plus he is potty trained!! Congrats on your new addition :)

Nikki
thefashionablewife.com

Allison said...

What a handsome dog!! I bet your girls are just in heaven having him around. So fun. :)

Because of Jackie said...

Ha! I swear, I probably would have reacted badly…but it is hard to say no to kids' excitement! I had dogs growing up and love having animals. We have a cat now and with the moving and such and being away from family it is too hard to have more animals…but I do love dogs. Good luck, you KNOW that dog will be attached to you and sleeping on your feet in bed in no time:)

Michelle I said...

This is so exciting, even if you are a little apprehensive. Dogs are great (I may be a little biased)! I hope that he fits in well and rapidly becomes part of the family!

Darcy said...

Aww, how exciting for all of you! I can imagined that you were very surprised!! Hope you guys love him :)
www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com

Tiffany said...

I LOVE Gus! What a gorgeous dog. I hope that he doesn't cause you too much trouble :)

Anonymous said...

as the crazy dog freak I love this! I am so happy y'all have added him to your family, and your girls are super happy, that is awesome!

Jessica @ Here&Now said...

So sweet! I can't wait to see #GusGrams!

xx
Here&Now

Allison @ Mrs. Southern Mama said...

Sweet Gus!!! <3 You will be surprised how much joy dogs will bring into your life :)

Niki {Glossy Blonde} said...

Awwww I love Gus so much! My mom was the same way after losing her childhood dog and finally gave in when my brother and I were in high school. She loved our Rocky so, so much and it didn't take long either! I'm glad your girls are so happy! Gus is a lucky boy to have a family like yours!

Style-Delights said...

awww..look at that handsome face!! Mili wants a dog so bad (and me too!!) but we can't have it on third floor in our apt building! Waiting for our lease to come to end so we can move and have the best friend for our family;-)

Erica said...

beautiful dog - welcome to the fam, gus!

Bri said...

What a handsome guy!!! Congrats on the new addition...I bet the girls are in doggy bliss :)

Unknown said...

LOVE THIS!!! How great that your man surprised you with a dog. mine would NEVER, he hates the idea of pets, but i think it's so wonderful to grow up with pets. Kids need pets. And he is adorable.

Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! said...

Gus is gorgeous!!! Such a handsome pup. My brother-in-law used to have one of these (he lost him in the divorce, I should say the ex-wife gained him and he's very happy with her). HE however is a handful. I think with proper training and plenty of room to run he'd be 100% happy.

Gus seems like he's already well on his way to being well trained / behaved and having a loving home is just the rest of the puzzle.

Congrats on the new edition! Remember life is about relationships and as you know, in life we always have to say good-bye, after knowing how hard it was the first time, will make you appreciate all the GOOD you're getting now and forget about the sad one day. Live in the now, pets are so amazing :)

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous dog Gus is! I bet the girls are sooooo excited!

http://kacieskloset.blogspot.com/

Ashleigh said...

Congrats on your new baby boy! I know exactly how you feel Shanna. When the Hubbs brought home Rain from the shelter...I was floored. I had a pregnant cat already and two kids and work 60 hours a week. I still get frustrated because she is so incredibly hard to house train and seriously WHEN do puppies stop doing the chewy thing?
But then when no one is home...and I'm lonely..rain gets up on the couch and lays her head in my lap and I'm like DANG you're cute. Happiness is a warm puppy!
-Ash
www.thestylizedwannabe.com

FitTravelerAJ said...

Congrats on your new addition! He is a beautiful dog and Ross will love hunting with him!

-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.com

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