The Tale of Trooper

     With our family moving around like we do, we try to make it back home to my parents place as often as we can. 3 years ago, we came home with one more family member than we left with. My oldest daughter loves spending time with my cousins that are her age. After a lunch out one day she asked to go home with my aunt and little cousin to the country. I agreed and off they went to have fun for a couple hours. My mom informed me that there was a litter of Dachshund pups that were running around out there and that Kitty may ask for one. Didnt bother me one bit, we had a dog already, I knew Bear (my Airman) would tell me "no" and that would be that.
     2 hours pass and out we head to the country to fetch Kitty. We get there and wondered around back where she is playing with my sweet cousin. There were only 3 pups left and they were running around playing with the kids. All that is, but one. He ran into the back of my leg, following the bright white of my sock in the Texas sun. I picked him up and cuddled him and noticed his eyes. The sun was to my back and I held him up to look in his face, and his pupils never adjusted. They were as big as could be. I looked over at my aunt with a curious face and asked about him.

     I was told that he was like that from birth. He was always bumping into things and had a hard time getting about. She then told me, "I was hoping you would notice him." I immediately sent my Airman a text asking if I could bring him home. I never expected him to send back one that said "yes." I explained the puppy's challenges and he still agreed. My aunt was overjoyed that he would be going home with a family that would understand him. My daughter was delighted that a puppy was coming home and had no idea what "blind" meant.

     Upon getting him home to the Airbase I took him to our civilian vet. His optic disk in his eyes was set so far back that he would be fully blind within a year or two. He could see 10% of the time, if, and only if, it was in bright flashes of light. She explained the challenges it would bring us, and we still agreed to keep him.

     3 years later, he is still a very loving part of our family. Trooper sleeps with Kitty, plays with our other dogs, and acts as if nothing is different. Sure, he cant go down stair alone (he tends to just Superman off the top of the stairs), and he is a bit fearful about jumping off the couch. But each day he does it. He has learned different commands like "stop", "back", "step", "up, up" and "WALL!" He will not be formally trained, but I prefer it that way. He is great the way he is. He's my little Trooper.

Welcome

Hi! Welcome to Patty Whack Pets. I am a shop owner over on etsy.com  Here is my little shop in which my love for my fuzzy kids is shared with yours.

A little about me. I am a military wife that has had a dog at my side since I said "I do." We have always had a 4 legged companion. They are not just animals to me, they are just like our kids. They need us, depend on us, and love us unconditionally. And to me, the feeling is mutual. My pups have been there through alot for us. Our first assignment took us far home and what we knew. We did not have any children (human ones) at the time, so I figured I would get a job. After a year there, I became a dog trainer. Cementing my love for my four legged babies even more. I adored helping people strengthen their bond with their new family member. A dog can be a challenge and a mystery if you had never had one before. I helped with lots of problems and kept many away from the pound. Sometimes training is the last resort for a communication error between human and canine. I adored that job.

A year after I started, it was time, my Daughter Kitty was on her way. I stopped working there to be a full time mom, but my job helping people understand their four legged babies, was far from over. I started training on the side here and there for friends. We were blessed again with our second daughter Nan. My heart swelled. I had no idea I could be that full of love. I had my pups and my babies and my Airman, all was right with the world. 

That Christmas tragedy struck while we went on vacation. Christmas eve eve my friend that was watching our pups called. My Jet had died. My scottie, that was far from dog but more human, had gone to play at the Rainbow Bridge.  I knew he died of a broken heart. He hated for us to leave for a few days. He loved our friends, so I hoped it would keep him from not eating while we were gone. I still miss him 6 years later. 

After the birth of our 3rd child, my son Prince Rotten, we moved to the smacked dab center of the US. Here, we have lived for 3 years now. I know that there is a move on the horizon. So that never swayed me in the pursuit of opening a shop. I have 3 dogs now. SHHHHH. I know thats a lot. Hope is still with us, and is joined by Trooper a dachshund that was blind since birth. His story will come later. Our newest is a spunky little scottie pup (I couldn't stand not having one around any more) Cupcake. You will see them ALL over the store and blog. They are comical and crazy to say the least.

The past few months I got tired of seeing my dogs SHREAD every toy I got them from the store. And often I cant seem to find any collars I adore. So, I whipped out my handy sewing machine and took a crack at making them. Hope adores the toys. Trooper thinks they are a soft place to sleep, and Cupcake is still trying to figure out why I keep taking her picture. I decided, "I must share these with other pups in the world!" Okay, not so dramatic. I figured, if mine like them, surely other dogs will too. So Patty Whack Pets was born.

                   

This is my life. I am a Jet Troops Wife, Mother of Three babies and three furry babies, Crafter, Store owner, Donna Reed Impersonator, and now, blogger. 

(Disclaimer for this photo, he is napping in the bucket. He is able to get out, he just decided he was more comfortable there lol)