Category: Pets

Training Charlie

Posted on by Staci Mauney

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

Having a new puppy means I spend a lot of my time training him. We’re working on potty training, walking on a leash, staying calm at mealtimes, and not nipping when he plays or wants attention.

A lot goes into training a puppy, and I know I can’t do it all on my own. Until Charlie has all his puppy vaccines, I can’t take him to a professional trainer, and I want to do what I can to help him establish good habits before the bad ones become his normal behavior. To do this, I watch YouTube videos, read articles, and talk to friends who have dogs. Continue reading “Training Charlie” →

Charlie Gets a Nickname

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“For we are God’s handiwork…” (Ephesians 2:10)

My new puppy, Charlie, met my parents for the first time last week. I had warned my dad that I was expecting him to come up with a nickname for the little guy. He had nicknamed my Yorkie, Lilly, “Lilly Doggins,” and people still ask me about her and call her by her full name.

My dad did not disappoint me—Charlie is now “Charlie Bones,” so named because he loves to chew on his bone-shaped chew toys. One evening, my dad stared calling him “Mr. Charlie Bones-Jangles” after the song, “Mr. Bojangles.” It’s a bit of a mouthful though, so we quickly shortened his nickname back to “Mr. Charlie Bones.” Continue reading “Charlie Gets a Nickname” →

Introducing Charlie

Posted on by Staci Mauney

In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10)

Meet Charlie! Charlie is a three-month-old Yorkie schnauzer mix (a schnorkie) who came into my life at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 10, 2022. His previous owner is a handyman who has fixed a number of things around my house over the years. When working at my house recently, he asked about Lilly, my Yorkie companion, since he didn’t see her running around or hear her barking. I told him that she had passed away in March, and a little while later, he asked if I would be interested in another dog. He told me about Charlie and that he couldn’t keep him because he is gone for work so much, and he showed me a video of Charlie running and playing. He set up a time to bring Charlie to meet me, and I adopted Charlie on the spot. Continue reading “Introducing Charlie” →

Taking Our Medicine

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)

My little Yorkie companion, Lilly, is getting older. She turned twelve last October, and she’s had arthritis for a while and stomach issues even longer. (The stomach issues aren’t age related. She just has a weak stomach.) Recently, she’s been dealing with a recurring skin infection, so the vet prescribed a pill and also a medicated shampoo.

I coated the pills in peanut butter the same way I do with her arthritis and stomach medicines. Almost immediately, she noticed that something was different. She sniffed the peanut butter suspiciously, and after she ate the peanut butter and spit out the pill several times, I switched to wrapping it in cheese. And now, not only am I having difficulty getting her to take the new medication, but she also doesn’t want to take the old ones that have never bothered her before. She licks the peanut butter delicately each time as if to test what kind of craziness might be lurking inside. Continue reading “Taking Our Medicine” →

Happy Birthday, Lilly!

Posted on by Staci Mauney

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. (Ps. 77:11)

Happy twelfth birthday to my Yorkie companion, Lilly!

Lilly came to me when she was six months old. She’d been given to my brother and his wife, who couldn’t keep her, so she ended up with me. I don’t have any papers on her, so I don’t know her exact date of birth. The vet estimated that she was born about six months before I got her, which would put her birthday some time in October. So we celebrate for the entire month! Continue reading “Happy Birthday, Lilly!” →