Meet Abbey and Sushi Bowden

Adopt two animals at one time you ask?  Why, indeed we did! The Bowden Mantra...Go Big or Go Home.  Abbey and Sushi Bowden were adopted from the Atlanta Humane Society in October and have had our hearts ever since. 

Abbey, a three month old lab collie mix, is quite the character.  She is very energetic and playful but also likes to relax with us and get a good ole belly rub as often as possible.  Ahhhhhh that sweet puppy smell.  Adore it!  For most of you, it comes as no surprise that Dylan, the die hard Beatles fan, picked out Abbey's name.  {Hint: It has to do with what you drive on...and is often re-paved and re-paved and re-paved again on I-75}

Sushi's name, on the other hand, was mine all mine! {Insert: crazy, devious laugh}.  I planned on getting a cat one day and naming him Sushi and was waiting, just waiting, for the opportunity to "pounce!"  Sushi is just as spunky as Abbey weighing in at a hefty 3 pounds. ; )  This kitten is all over the place exploring our home and yard and thinking he can take Abbey with a single blow in a wrestling match.  At times, I think this little kitten thinks he's a puppy too. They are quite hilarious together.

"What did I do, Mom?" 

We've learned a lot about training a new puppy and a new kitty and are finally getting some things down. Cat's have that natural instinct and seemingly just know what to do while dogs need a bit TON more direction.  And Direct we have!  She has successfully mastered the art of "sit" without even getting a treat anymore.  Now for the "stay" part.

After doing some research and ruling out puppy pads, we decided on the crate method for potty training Abbey.  She's done a superb job with it and learned quickly.  We still pick her up out of the crate in the morning and carry her outside to keep potential "accidents" at bay.  Unfortunately, we know we can't do that forever as she already weighs 13 pounds and will only get bigger.  Big Paws=Big Dog.

Though I don't have this on video or in a photo, I had to share one little funny "incident" we had with the good ole Sush-ster.  The night we brought them home, after much play time and getting them accustomed to their new home, I decided to make a nice dinner for Dylan and I.  Some yummy, hearty taco soup {basically chili}.  Simmering soup on the stove makes the house smell lovely so we were looking forward to soon tasting it.  Since our dining room table served as a home for wedding gifts at the time, dinner was enjoyed on our little coffee table in our den on most nights.  This was one of those nights.

Taco soup done, ladled into two big bowls and I'm on the way to the den to serve Dylan.  I place both our bowls down on the trusty little coffee table and head back to the kitchen to fix our drinks.  Dylan is relaxing on the couch waiting for my return, just casually flipping through channels.  Having not been around too many curious cats, he was in tune with the tube but not in tune with his mischievous kitty surroundings. Then for the inevitable...gasp!  All of a sudden, Sushi FLIES through the air from the back of the couch {I'm talking flying squirrel style} and belly flops directly into Dylan's bowl of soup!

Tomato sauce drenched cat then bounds onto the couch then onto the carpet leaving a trail of BRIGHT red paw prints.  As Dylan frantically cleans up the mess, I grab Sushi and put him into the sink to rinse him off.  As most of you know, cats hate hate hate water on them!  Let me tell you this cat welcomed his bath after landing in the piping hot bowl of soup.  Poor poor little Sushi!  Needless to say, Sushi will no longer jump onto the coffee table during dinner!  Laughter wasn't present at the time but now looking back at it we laugh hysterically.  The memory of a flying cat landing in Dylan's soup will forever be etched in my memory!

We love these little rascals more and more each day.  They are our babies. Our two sweet, lovable, funny, frolicsome Bowden babies.