Nala

On Oct 3, 2014, we got another dog. Yep. Nala joined our family.

Its been a little over two years ago since we lost Princess and I have been uncertain that I wanted another dog because of the pain I felt when I lost her.  But....Jim wanted a dog so bad.

We were trying to decide what kind of dog would be best for us.  I really wanted to rescue a dog since the shelters are packed with dogs needing homes.  Jim wanted a purebred and he was leaning toward a Rhodesian Ridgeback.  He thought that would be the perfect dog for us. We wanted a young female.   I did not want to pay the cost of a purebred from a breeder. 

We visited the shelters a few times.  It was heartbreaking and frustrating.  Then on Friday, Oct 3, I came home from work and Jim said he found a dog to go look at.  He saw the ad on Craigslist for a Rhodesian Ridgeback for a 6 month old female for $50.

He gave me the address to put in GPS and I was horrified to see that it was in a really bad neighborhood in South Tucson.  With trepidation, I gave him directions to get there. 

We drove down the street dodging wandering stray pitbulls, people sitting around, kids playing, broken down cars, etc.  We came to the house and it was surrounded by a 6 ft high plank fence.  You can't see in or out.  We got out and the guy opened the gate.  Nala was there in the dirt yard inside the fence.  She was so happy to see us.  Its like she waited her whole life for us to come and get her.  She was so friendly to us.  We didn't get much information about here except that the guy took her from a breeder who was going to kill her because she was missing her ridge.  I'm not sure what the situation was but he said they were contemplating either dumping her, giving her to the dog fighters (Yes, a lot of that goes on in Tucson) or just killing her.  He said he didn't think that was right so he took her.  She is now a big dog and he cant afford to feed her.  He is selling her for $50 because he said the fighters wont pay $50 for a dog.  He said some terrible people had come to look at her but she wouldn't sell her to them.  We assured him she would have a good home with us. 

We got Nala in the car and drove straight to Petsmart.  I ran in and bought a leash and then came out and got her.  We took her in and bought everything we would need to pamper her.  So in reality, she cost a lot more than $50.  Ha Ha.

Nala lived her whole life in their yard.  They said they didn't have time to housetrain her.  She doesn't seem to have ever been through a door so she was scared to go through them.  She had never been up stairs, and it seems that she has never been cuddled and loved.  She is a sweet dog and is soaking up every moment of her new life.

We took her to the Vet last Thursday and the Vet was so happy we got another dog.  She was so impressed by Nala and how sweet she is.  She is currently 57 lbs and probably more about 7-8 months old.  She will still grow a bit.  She is scheduled to be spayed at the end of the month. She has all her shots and a clean bill of health. 

Nala in the car after picking her up from her old home.  She is a little worried.

It took about 10 minutes to get her to go up stairs for the first time.

Nalas first night with us.

Checking out her new bed

Life is good

Sweet Nala

Showing off that she can now do stairs

and pretty proud of it

First day home alone.  Did not go well.

We went right out and got her a kennel to put on the back enclosed patio so she cant get into trouble.

Hey, its better than a box.

Nala going to the vet for a check up.  She gets car sick really bad. 

Nala loves going for walks

Jim and her heading off on an adventures

She loves her bone.

Sleeping in front of the door.

Oops, my ear got stuck up.

It took a while but she is finally eating.  She didn't want to eat at first.

She loves her toys.

Here is a video clip on the Ridgebacks in case you are more interested in finding out about Ridgebacks.  They were bred in Africa to hunt lions.

  I take Nala running in the morning...so she is patiently waiting for me while I type this. So I better go. Stay tuned for more of Nalas adventures.