Those of you who have read my Father’s Day post will have noticed the reply from my nephew, David Elster, who is also a member of TAFM. He really is my favorite nephew, even though when I say that he replies, “But I’m you’re only nephew,” to which I reassure him “It’s still a hig honor.”
There is so much to love here, in addition to Apollo. I saw David's sons' names - Nate and Sam. but what is the name of the adorable young girl, daughter of Amanda, missing one tooth or more? Here's to David & Amanda, to the children and to Apollo. It looks as though everyone lucked out. HAPPY FAMILY DAY!
Thank you, Tom; your stories today practically covered the range of life. It sum, your cup runneth over with love.
A little background. My boys have grown up with allergies. We’ve had to use Epipens and Benadryl quite a few times. Allergies to dairy, egg, sesame, and a few nuts. In the past they’ve been very reactive to dogs and cats too.
Their mom has been on the “make them live in a bubble” camp all their lives. I have been on the “help them grow up to navigate the real world” camp.
I told their mom about the dog and the precautions and contingency plans we have in place. She has lost her mind and instead of addressing concerns with me she’s gone on the fearmongering path and has taken it up directly with the boys via text. Trying to scare them into not being with the dog because their allergies will get worse and they’ll get sick and how she’s going to make them change all their clothes in her garage when they come home from my house.
Nate and Sam who are 14 and 10 respectively just came out to us and said “if mommy makes us choose or keeps making us miserable about this, we will live full time with you. She WILL NOT take us away from our dog!”
I love this story, Victoria; how wonderful that Sadie ended up with you! (We have our "funny how that works out" story,too. Our daughter fostered a dog on hospice, they thought she might hold on another 3-4 days. They ended up adopting her and she slept like a barricade across their front door every night for the next 4 YEARS! )
I had a dog who did that - I actually wanted this one on the bed in one place (way back in the day, very questionable area, figured it would keep the mice off!) so he'd obligingly wait until he thought I was asleep then slip off and lay across the door. Since he obviously wasn't comfortable until he had his guard position I would fake sleep to cut him a break. He was a shelter rescue Airedale.
Every dog I ever had was a rescue except the first one, which my parents got from an oops litter.
Ain’t that the truth. Thought that last night as I sacked out with three felines jockeying for space on the bed. Gotta be some perks for being old and alone.
Apollo IS thoroughly adorable! I do believe the dog-human connection is hardwired. I just love my Natalie! (border collie) And I loved the late Comet Bernstein, my ex-girlfriend's dog who got me into dogs, and Molly Jackson, a lab whippet mix who lived in my house with her humans for five years, a young pair of Harvard grads who were couch potatoes, the 60-something landlord taking Molly running almost daily during they five years they lived here, covering the equivalent of Boston to Park City with their dog.
Great Father's Day story..... They'll realize that Apollo is not the only lucky one. :-)
Off-color comment - I worked with a guy who had the perfect insult for a jerk: "He has all the qualities of a dog, except loyalty....." Enjoy your new friend, gang!
You sound like you are on the right track David. Life is too short to live in a bubble. That said you are aware of their sensitivities and know what to do. I have to carry an epi pen because I’m allergic to myself😹😹not a joke but funny just the same. Kids can outgrow allergies and I can think of nothing better to outgrow than allergies to dogs and cats. They are the best friends we can have in our lives.
What a sweet story! Wishing much happiness to the entire household. I'm not sure who's more fortunate, Appolo or the humans he's chosen for his forever home!! ❤️❤️❤️
There is so much to love here, in addition to Apollo. I saw David's sons' names - Nate and Sam. but what is the name of the adorable young girl, daughter of Amanda, missing one tooth or more? Here's to David & Amanda, to the children and to Apollo. It looks as though everyone lucked out. HAPPY FAMILY DAY!
Thank you, Tom; your stories today practically covered the range of life. It sum, your cup runneth over with love.
The little lady is Sarah. Super sweet Sarah
Thank you, David, for the name of the 'lLttle Lady,' 'Sweet' Sarah Super
Interesting follow up on this.
A little background. My boys have grown up with allergies. We’ve had to use Epipens and Benadryl quite a few times. Allergies to dairy, egg, sesame, and a few nuts. In the past they’ve been very reactive to dogs and cats too.
Their mom has been on the “make them live in a bubble” camp all their lives. I have been on the “help them grow up to navigate the real world” camp.
I told their mom about the dog and the precautions and contingency plans we have in place. She has lost her mind and instead of addressing concerns with me she’s gone on the fearmongering path and has taken it up directly with the boys via text. Trying to scare them into not being with the dog because their allergies will get worse and they’ll get sick and how she’s going to make them change all their clothes in her garage when they come home from my house.
Nate and Sam who are 14 and 10 respectively just came out to us and said “if mommy makes us choose or keeps making us miserable about this, we will live full time with you. She WILL NOT take us away from our dog!”
Never get in the way of a boy and his dog.
God do I hate being an "I told you so," but damn if I didn't describe Mommie Dearest's reaction to a "T" in that last email.
And Hurrah! to Nathan and Sam for their response to all that.
Is FAMILY TALES and TAILS the next series on tap for TAFM, Tom?
No.
GOOD!
Congratulations to you and Amanda on your beautiful new family! And thank you for letting Tom share your story with us ❤️
the bonding usually takes a lot less than an hour and once that bond is established, you try to break it at your own risk.
How wonderful to bring Apollo into their home with
lots of love. Looks like he has
a little hound in him. They do
dodog DNA now very reasonably when and if they want to know what he is.
My girl, Sadie is 17 yrs old. has been with me since she
was 10 mos old. Is Belgian
Malinois/German Shepherd mix, certified Hearing Assist
Service Dog, now retired and
nearing her time to move on
from this Earthly plane.
She was a rescue too. I was
only supposed to be a way
station for her a couple of days, as transport was lined
up to take her to a no kill in
Indo. Funny how that works
out.
Welcome to your new family
and home Apollo. Long, lovely
life little lad.❤
I love this story, Victoria; how wonderful that Sadie ended up with you! (We have our "funny how that works out" story,too. Our daughter fostered a dog on hospice, they thought she might hold on another 3-4 days. They ended up adopting her and she slept like a barricade across their front door every night for the next 4 YEARS! )
I had a dog who did that - I actually wanted this one on the bed in one place (way back in the day, very questionable area, figured it would keep the mice off!) so he'd obligingly wait until he thought I was asleep then slip off and lay across the door. Since he obviously wasn't comfortable until he had his guard position I would fake sleep to cut him a break. He was a shelter rescue Airedale.
Every dog I ever had was a rescue except the first one, which my parents got from an oops litter.
My son's tee shirt says "My favorite breed is rescue" and I expect that's his breed: A Liver colored Rescue Cuddle Hound.
Happy Gotcha Day to this sweet family!! Such beautiful smiles. :-)
Love it! Kids need critters and vice versa. Heck! Grownups needs critters too. We all need someone who just loves us and wants a cuddle.
Ain’t that the truth. Thought that last night as I sacked out with three felines jockeying for space on the bed. Gotta be some perks for being old and alone.
Apollo IS thoroughly adorable! I do believe the dog-human connection is hardwired. I just love my Natalie! (border collie) And I loved the late Comet Bernstein, my ex-girlfriend's dog who got me into dogs, and Molly Jackson, a lab whippet mix who lived in my house with her humans for five years, a young pair of Harvard grads who were couch potatoes, the 60-something landlord taking Molly running almost daily during they five years they lived here, covering the equivalent of Boston to Park City with their dog.
Great Father's Day story..... They'll realize that Apollo is not the only lucky one. :-)
Off-color comment - I worked with a guy who had the perfect insult for a jerk: "He has all the qualities of a dog, except loyalty....." Enjoy your new friend, gang!
That gap-toothed smile is priceless! And in a princess dress to boot! Apollo is destined to be a companion to royalty.
Yes. You’ll never find Sarah wearing anything less.
You sound like you are on the right track David. Life is too short to live in a bubble. That said you are aware of their sensitivities and know what to do. I have to carry an epi pen because I’m allergic to myself😹😹not a joke but funny just the same. Kids can outgrow allergies and I can think of nothing better to outgrow than allergies to dogs and cats. They are the best friends we can have in our lives.
Excellent Father’s Day story, TC.
Definitely a dog, and you've put the perfect capper on a great day. There will be cats too, it's inevitable.
What a sweet story! Wishing much happiness to the entire household. I'm not sure who's more fortunate, Appolo or the humans he's chosen for his forever home!! ❤️❤️❤️
Everything about Apollo is adorable, but I’m charmed by those white legs. And such gentle, knowing eyes.
And judging from how disproportionally big his feet are I think he’ll be a big dog.
I'm betting there are quite a few different ancestors there! He (and those kids) are cuties. That pup is one lucky dog.
Beautiful and hopeful.
Glad to know you have this darling family around you!