Favourite Food: Cheese Whiz
Likes:
Sully: watch the world go by.
Cash: red ball – run – red ball – run – repeat.
Dislikes:
Sully- Needy people.
Cash- Slow days.
After losing our dog Chance, I was so hesitant to get another. I spent time at the shelter and walked dogs so I was still around them. It took me a while for my heart to be ready. Chance was our soul dog. I did not know how hard it was going to be when we lost him.
I knew of this dog named Cash, a boxer pointer mix.
The shelter attendant was initially reluctant to let me meet Cash because he was considered too much for people to handle. With time I was able to convince him to allow me to spend time with Cash. I eventually adopted him in 2015.
Cash was a handful and has a long list of mischievous adventures.
And then I decided to get him a friend.
Petsave rescue in Sudbury recommended Sully, a submissive shepherd mix. My hubby was hesitant but agreed to meet him. I was convinced that we needed another dog, just the right one. We met in a park and although I did not immediately connect with Sully, my hubby did. Sully completely ignored Cash’s attempts to do anything fun on our introduction walk and he came home with us.
They are both around 12 years old now, with graying hair and a lifetime of lessons.
They inspired my book North of Broken & Furever Home, a read dog lovers will love.
What have your dogs taught you?
Acceptance.
I am not sure if Sully was abused or just not raised with humans. Either way, I thought he was broken. I spent so much time trying to “fix” Sully. I realized, not soon enough, that Sully was just Sully. To this day he is independent, will only accept a short morning cuddle and prefers to watch the world go by out the window rather than play.
Cash on the other hand is a lap dog when he’s not playing.
Cash:
I watched the way the window opened and I could see the great outdoors was just a couple calculated moves away. It was far, but not too far. I waited until Mom was gone and with a little push here and a squeeze there. Out I jumped. I was so excited for my freedom I didn’t even notice the way down took a bit long. My feet hit the ground running and off I went.
Sully:
My brother is nuts. I wonder if he will ever realize that freedom is an inside job and does not require jumping out of windows two stories high. No thanks. I will continue to be an observer. To observe and breath my way to inner peace. Until someone shampoos their hair, then I love to dig my nose in there and smell and smell. There’s just something about that smell, it gets me every time.
Cash has bizarrely had three seizures on the exact same day- July 26th- for three consecutive years.
He is still going strong.
The magnitude of the heartbreak is how much your heart has grown.
It took me a while to get a dog again, but it’s so worth it. The love they bring is unlike anything else. I won’t leave them in a kennel, I tried once and we had to leave the event early because I was too worried about their shelter backgrounds. So now they come with us everywhere.
What no one tells you about getting a pawrent?
Cash:
They are always ruining your fun. Something about safety. They do get you toys though.
Sully:
They are so needy. They kept buying me toys, when the best toy is the spot with the window view. It took me a long time to train my mom. She’s still learning.
From the Kitchen
Mini Cheese Mug Soufflé
Quick microwave edition.
2 servings (Tasty for humans too! Double for snacks for a family of 4.)
For more recipes please check out our cookbook!
Ingredients
2 large eggs
1 cup cottage cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Butter to line mug.
How to:
Blend eggs on medium for 2-3 minutes. The eggs will become airy with more time. The more air, the more of a delicate soufflé texture will result.
Blend the cottage cheese separately.
Gently fold in the shredded cheese, cottage cheese into the egg mixture.
Lightly line mugs of your choice with butter.
Place in the microwave for 60-90 seconds on high. (Cooktime depends on the depth of the mug.) When you tap the side of the mug and the souffle doesn’t giggle- it’s done!
Let cool before serving.
You get a fluffy, cheesy delightful mouthful!