Our Introduction

Wizard is the oldest in our small estate. She's been with me for 6 years now. Since the day I opened the cup (she was shipped in a heated reptile cup) to reveal myself to her, she came out without hesitation and made herself at home from the get go. She has been fearless ever since. I thought she would be afraid of our big dog, DJ, but she could care less of the size of, well, anything. She even took a liking to my cockatiel, Tommy. I thought Tommy would be a goner if she got too close to him but on the contrary, she walked right up to his cage and introduced herself to him and they were friends ever since.
After DJ and Tommy passed on, Tommy was the first to go, I felt ever so close to Wizard. I know that reptiles could care less about their handlers but for some reason she was a comfort to me, especially after DJ (part of my soul) passed. I guess it was because they had such a great connection with each other and now that our two boys were gone, we were all we had left. It's not everyday you see a dog, bird, and lizard sit on the sofa together to take a nap without one worrying about the other.

Things have definitely changed for poor Wizard. She's not easily threatend by anyone or anything except for one little bothersome....












Que in Dakoda....


About a month after DJ passed, it was time to get a new dog. And what a huge paw print to fill. DJ was never a dog's dog, he liked us older humans, and I knew he would never agree to let another dog into his territory. Therefore, before he passed I made a promise to him. My promise to him was to never buy another dog and allow it to live in his domain. Rather, I would adopt and rescue out of respect for his species and my love for dogs.


After searching on Petfinder for days, I came across 4 little lab mix pups about 3 or 4 months old. I told the fam. and my dad and I went to look at them that weekend. I intended on getting a male because DJ was a male. But when we arrived the largest one out of the litter tugged so hard at my heart. All my focus was on this little happy fat thing running around the yard. I looked to see she was female and nearly melted in my shoes. I don't know why I wanted a male so badly, but I fell in love with this gorgeous girl. I couldn't stand it any longer she had to come home with me. So, I signed the papers and the adoption process was on it's way!


Two weeks later on Wednesday, August 28th, 2007, we picked up Dakoda from the St. John Parish Animal Shelter and it's been a roller coaster ever since. Her first day home, she was a bit nervous and groggy (she just had been spayed that day). She threw up quite alot due to the surgery. She immediately found her toy box and bed and when she felt a little better, took a self tour of the house. By the next morning, she was what she would come to be in the latter months, a feisty, playful, stubborn girl with loads of energy.


Four months have now passed and she is nearly full grown I would say. I'm not quite sure what she is mixed with, but everything about her screams labrador. Except for her size, she posesses everything that makes up a purebred lab. From her appitite, to her love for water, to her goofy tatrums. She's definitely a handful. Her temperment is friendly and she gets along well with other animals pretty much. Maybe a little too much according to Wizard.

It seems Dakoda thinks Wizard will play with her like other dogs do. She will smack poor Wizard with her paws and bark bark bark at her endlessly. Wizard just sits and stares at her and to Koda's suprise, nothing happens. Wizard has threatened her before, which is very unlike her, but then again, DJ never smacked at her face with his paws like Koda does. The good thing is that they somewhat get along. Dakoda hasn't tried to eat her yet, thank God!

As Dakoda grew into a more high energy being, we thought, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could adopt another dog to help release some of Koda's energy?" So, I made a phone call to my sister, she mentioned something about wanting a dog, and talked about possibly adopting one. We then phoned the shelter.

I remember Dakoda being the only girl of the litter and having 3 brothers. Two of them were identical to her and there was this little reddish brown one. He was the runt of the litter and sort of an oddball because he looked different from the others. I've always been partial to runts considering I'm the runt myself, haha. So, off to the shelter we went again and adopted Dakoda's brother!

After much thought, he would come to be known as Riley. He, unlike Dakoda, is a bit more laid back, doesn't like retrieving much, loves juming in the pond (whereas, Dakoda will just put her front paws in and splash around a bit) and pees without warning, lol. Most importantly, brother and sister have been reunited. Dakoda now has a very specail playmate and is very good at sharing her toys with Riley. His first day home she grabbed a toy and pushed it over to him with her nose. How sweet!!