Welcome To the Family, Odin

I mentioned a while ago that I would write a special post about our dog, Odin. Now that we’ve had him for two weeks, I feel like I’m finally getting to know him well enough to be able to write about him.

First off, he is a rescue. We adopted him from a shelter, and we were told he’d been left behind with a relative or friend when his owner moved away. I don’t really understand how you could just move and not take your dog with you?! He is certainly living his best life now, though. Free range of several acres, and kids to play with him all day long. What more could he want?

Second major point, he is still a puppy. It’s hard to remember sometimes, because he’s already a 60lb hunk. I think he’s about 9 or 10 months old at this point, so he’s got a few things to learn yet. He has tons of energy, and never tires of chewing things. The constant gnawing on stuff is getting a little tiresome. While he loves the fancy toys and big ole bones we get him, he will take any chance he gets to chew on shoes, the kids’ toys, lawn chairs, hats, garbage… anything, really. On the plus side, the kids are learning to not leave their things out. A win for mom, I guess.

He is a very good-looking dog. He’s a lab mix. He has stocky shoulders and a really gruff, don’t-mess-with-me bark. Now that he’s been on good quality food for a couple weeks, his coat is coming in nice and shiny. My one complaint would have to be his doggy flatulence. Oh. My. Gosh. To say he can clear a room is putting it lightly.

I’m really thankful that he has a super high tolerance for shenanigans. The kids poke, prod, pull, hug, and do all kinds of things to him, and he doesn’t care. My youngest can be especially overbearing with his affection at times, but Odin just sighs and lets him do whatever. And when he’s had enough, he’ll get up and walk away.

I think that’s about all I have to say for now. In short, we really got a sweet dog. I think he will enjoy many happy years here on our property, chasing grasshoppers, stealing clothes off the clothesline, running alongside the four wheelers, and keeping the kids company as they play. Now I just cross my fingers and hope he won’t try to eat our chickens when we get them.