This is Petey. You can't miss him. He stands out not just because he's very tall for his breed, or has the biggest knot on top of his head, or because of his lack of manners. He stands out because he is so handsome and he's in charge of this neighborhood block. We have a chain-linked fence and he runs up and down our corner lot backyard and let's every passer by know that he's in charge and he is protecting his sisters.
He's our oldest child. He started out small like this...
And turned into this...
He was the only child for four years. He was a wedding present from Adam's close friend, Andrew. Best wedding present ever! He's brought nothing but happiness into our lives.
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| Petey and Andrew |
He's been everywhere. We have taken him on roadtrips to Indiana, where he's played in the snow, swam in Lake Wawasee, and got lose and ran the neighborhood where Adam grew up. That's when we found out he could get out of his harness. We were all getting ready to go somewhere and Adam tied him outside on the clothesline. Lana walked by and saw the harness still tied to the line, but no Petey and said, "guys? Where's the dog??" and we all jumped up and went searching. Adam went by foot, which in my experience chasing him around our neighborhood is a waste, and I told Lana to grab the keys to the car and we'll get him that way. We would drive down one street and see Adam running one way, turn down the next street and see Petey running the other way. Finally we headed him off at the pass and pulled up next to him in the car. I jumped out and said, "c'mon Pete!" and opened the door and he ran right up and jumped into the car. 
Probably his most memorable car trip to Indiana was the one where he ate a whole bag of Christmas hershey kisses when he was a puppy. We stopped at a McDonald's to grab some dinner and when we came back out, we noticed he got into the candy bag. (Adam LOVES candy) We were still 2 hours from home so we called ahead and had Lana call the vet to see if he was going to live and the vet said he would be fine. Needless to say it was an interesting ride home. He was bouncing off the sides of the car and was as wild as could be. The next day he left a beautiful display of red, green, and silver foiled droppings in Adam's parents yard. We have also taken him on trips to Texas to stay at Camp Roy's (my parent's place). Those were his longest car trips since they were 14 hours long. One time we left around noon and arrived in Dallas around midnight. We found a hotel that would let dogs stay and checked into a room. But for some reason, Petey went WILD. He got in that room and started barking and would NOT stop barking. We were afraid someone was going to knock on our door. Adam tried taking him for walks and nothing would work. Finally we had to check out of the hotel and just keep driving the rest of the trip. At Camp Roy's he gets to be a cowdog. He's really brave until he gets close. In his early years, back when manners were being taught, Gigi would train on him. She's about the only person he listens too. She grabs his snout and gives him a talking to and he listens. It's too bad Gigi doesn't live close so we could send him over for timeouts. :)
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| Gigi, the dog whisperer |
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| oops! how did that get in here? |
They say that having a puppy prepares you for having kids. It is partially true. I mean, with Petey, he did get us up at night to go outside. He definitely helped us childproof our house. I can't begin to tell you all the things he has chewed. Everything from my wedding bouquet, to underwear, to his toys, shoes, and even a Mr. Lincoln rosebush. He tore that thing right out of the ground after we planted it and drug it around by the roots.
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| Petey Wilkes Booth |
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| One of his many casualties. Look at his face. So innocent... |
One time I couldn't find our tape measure. I searched for two days. Then it hit me. I felt so stupid. I went out to the backyard and wouldn't you know it? Someone drug it out there and left it by the hose. I'll give you a hint, it wasn't Adam.
Life has changed now for Petey. He's now the proud brother of two baby sisters. It was a shock for him. He was alright with the first pregnancy, was proud to have a new baby sister and adjusted to Aubrie being around. But then when I got pregnant with Emilie, it was like we broke up. He didn't want anything to do with me. He even started listening to Adam. Now THAT is bad. But he survived. We brought her home, he ignored her. We made up. And at that same time, Aubrie was really coming around to loving on Petey. She hugs him goodnight and gives him kisses. Before we leave she runs through the house to tell him goodbye.
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| Another one, mom? How could you?!! |
I think he has started to see that life isn't as rough as he thinks it is. Sure, we don't let him on the couch anymore. And yes, he is on a restricted amount of food. But don't you worry. He still has it good. He is still OUR Petey :)
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