It’s a Girl!
Posted By startswithanx on September 20, 2009

After a good six months of talking about how much we want a dog, we figured we better get the show on the road before people start accusing us of having Jennifer Aniston syndrome.
So, I’m happy to announce that Jake and I are the proud parents of a 2-year-old mixed beagle named Penny (This is for my boyfriend: Jake named her that).
We chose her on my lunch hour Friday at the rescue shelter. By the time I picked her up after work and came home, Jake had spent $300 at PetSmart on all the standard dog necessities, (you know, like a rhinestone-embellished collar and cushioned bed big enough to fit a great dane). That’s one way of looking at it. The other would be that he transferred $300 from the “X ring fund” into the “Bitch” account. I’ll stick with the first way. When you look into those ebony eyes, framed by those floppy blonde ears, you just can’t help yourself.
As irresistible as our new family member is, she doesn’t come without issues.
Penny came from a highly abusive environment. She’s Rachel Zoe skinny, cowers whenever someone walks briskly toward her and reacts to her crate the same way an Iraq vet does blaring noises.
Her heart-wrenching habits made for at least one entertaining bit this weekend.
While watching Michigan State’s tragic loss to Notre Dame, Jake and his friend had to find creative ways to express both their joy and anger or Penny suddenly transported to Antarctica, the trembles were so bad. Seeing Jake and his buddy high five each other with spirit fingers, golf clap and do the angry hands-on-hips pose was just, well, awesome.
We can’t wait for Penny to absorb her new environment and realize she’s safe with us. We hope we fill her life with enough love to make her forget whatever it is that happened to her before moving into our home. The real bonding started Saturday night and reached an apex Sunday morning.
We put her to bed in her great dane bed downstairs and she crept up to our bedroom about 20 minutes later. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to bring her bed up here … But what if she pees? … She wants to be with us, though … OK, go get the bed! … Would it be too much to rock her to sleep?”
By the time we got up the next day, Jake was cuddling me and I was cuddling Penny. I know. It was like posing for the cover of People magazine when a celebrity reveals its baby for the first time.
If you think that’s disgustingly sweet, wait ‘til you hear what Jake whispered to me as we dozed off last night:
Penny is a cutey. It freaked me out at first how badly she trembles uncontrollably when meeting new people. My guess is she was abused/ignored by a man, because well, she’s very nervous around me. She’s taken to X and follows her around the house and goes outside with X on her command. But winning my trust will take more time. I’m ok with that. She’s eaten from my hand a few times, and lets me pet her. I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing her wag her little tail. My guess is she hadn’t done that a lot in her life. It’s going to be a long, and interesting process to get her to be normal. But that’s our goal.
she is a cutie~ congratulations on your new bundle of joy. welcome to the family Penny
X was really, really excited Friday afternoon when she called me at work to give me the news. Since I’m not an animal lover she didn’t really get the response she was looking for, but I’m still happy for the both of you. Penny will make for good practice before you start pumping out some bambinos.
Oh my hell she is a doll. I just love her big fluffy bed. I can not wait to meet her. Congratulations on your new bundle of fur. Oh and sorry for the loss Jake. Lets go IRISH…
Welcome to the world of the Dog Crazies. It’s a nice place to be.
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW, omgomgomg I love her already. She is precious! Congratulations you guys, welcome to a world of unconditional love. How is she with other dogs? We’ll have to meet at a park for a walk someday. Sir Gordon would totally have an instant crush on her. How could you not? It obv worked on the two of you
I’m so happy you picked her with all her issues, you can save her life! She is so adorable. I’m assuming we are going to get a lot more pictures right….right?!!
Awww. I heard all about her from serena. be patient and it will be worth it. as my other daughter stated – this is practice for babies. I am sure you are going to hear that more than once. I was about to tell your dad ‘we have another grandchild’ but you know how he is and can imagine his reaction. Felicidades!!
I am crying, but it is tears of joy! I can’t wait to meet her also. She is so lucky and will have a wonderful life now that she has the two of you. She will be forever grateful too. She will come to learn and realize that you saved her.
Did you feel like you were abandoning your child when you left to work this morning?
Welcome to the club, X & Jake! We have a rescue dog, too, and once she came around it was the most satisfying feeling. You guys did a great thing for her, and she knows it (and will eventually show it)! Just wait ’til you get “Oh she’s so cute” comments. And once you start singing Rhianna and Beyonce jams with Penny/dog/perro somehow fit in there, then you know you’re a true member of the ‘I love my animal and could give 2 shits if the whole world knows’ Club!
Miranda…we don’t know each other, but I think your Irish comment is disgusting! Congrats on holding homecourt for the 1st time in 16 years (sorry, still very very bitter)/
i heat doggies-i am glad u have been converted! She is a cutie, can’t wait to meet her. i am so glad she is a rescue dog….no more puppy mills! don’t worry jake, she’ll warm up to you before u know it (treats help).
She is SO CUTE. *gush
hahahaha
such a cute story. i love what your bf said in the end. so cute. and sweet.
frankly, i love the name Penny.
She is so pretty, those beautiful eyes! I’d love to have a dog but we already have six rescued cats and I don’t think they would appreciate me bringing home a dog much. The dog probably wouldn’t like it either.
Congratulations on bringing home Penny! She is so sweet and I know you guys are going to make her so happy and loved.
Damn straight, Jake! There’s a special place in hell for animal abusers.
Look at you two nesting! I’ve missed you X! My stupid power’s been out forfreakingever.
She’s adorable and I love the name Penny. You and Jake are going to be very good pet parents. I can tell. Congratulations!
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Congrats you two!!!! I loved this post and almost cried at the end. I can’t wait to meet her!!! YAY!!!
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