What's in a name?

Ranger's name has been changed to Charlie. We think it suits him better than Ranger. Plus, every time we say his name, we can't help but say it like this...

Danger, Will Robinson...

No, I'm not talking about this...


or this...



I'm talking about this!!!!


The danger lies in walking into an animal shelter and thinking you can come out empty-handed. I'm not even an animal lover! We got a cat four months ago named Itty Bitty. She hated our dog Mesa (our only dog at the time). Since we had her for four months and our dog for two years, we decided the cat would have to go back. So we took her in to the shelter, and just had a look around to see if there was another cat we wanted to try out. We looked at a few, and then walked into the dog room. Evan has wanted a playmate for Mesa for a long, long time and said that when we found the right dog, we'd get it. I have never wanted another dog because Mesa has a very thick coat which helps her stay outside on cold days while we're gone, but that also means she is a TERRIBLE shedder. Any playmate would have to have a thick coat as well since they'd be outside in the cold all winter long, which means TWO TERRIBLE SHEDDERS. Evan took one look at little Ranger and said he was calling out to him (ironic, since he wasn't even barking). He said Ranger was just the right size and temperament for Mesa.

Evan and I are the worst impulse buyers!!!! Here's what we didn't consider before bringing Ranger home.

1. Ranger needs to be fixed: $75

2. Ranger needs a rabies shot: $13

3. Ranger needs his own dog house in the kennel: $50

4. Ranger needs a crate for when we take them places: $70

5. Ranger needs an electric collar for the electric fence: $150!!!! (It's still cheaper than building a fence, I guess)

6. Ranger needs to eat (including bones and treats): $30/month

7. Ranger needs to be licensed every year (required by Tooele County): $???

8. Ranger needs to be current on all shots: $???

9. Ranger needs to howl...ok, he doesn't need to howl. But he does. All night long. I guess you have to trade something for being a non-barker.

10. Ranger needs to mark everything. He's a boy dog. Why did we get a boy dog?

But all these pale in comparison when we consider this last one...


11. Ranger needs to be loved.

That settles it...he's a sweet little dog, and I guess that means he's staying! So, meet Ranger. He's a 3 & 1/2 year old red heeler that is great with kids. Does anyone know anything about heelers? We sure don't.

By the way, in case you're counting, we still have this one, too.

I got this from my friend Meemer. I like it because it lists the random things I've never done as well as the things I have done.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band (school band, 7th grade, oboe. yeah, i was that awesome.)
4. Visited Hawaii (next May I can bold this one twice!)

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain (in America and Brazil!)

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables (Evan, don't laugh. Next year will be better.)

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language (ok, so I had a lot of help)

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (had is the key word. I think I was 10.)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful in action (I was even born in Yellowstone County. Ironic isn't it?)

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check (whoopsie)

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial (Twice. It never loses its magnificence.)

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (I tried, it was closed. True story.)

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Been on TV (just the news)

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee
100. Conquered a fear (remember what lives in my basement???)

My list is not as complete as I would like it to be. I need to get out more. How 'bout you?