Way, way off topic..

[On_yer_left!]

... but I can't help myself. I wanna show off my babies.
My sweet old girl Niki -- 14 year-old lab/shep mix -- left me several weeks back after developing cancer. Life has been so strange without her! But with so many pooches up for adoption after the hurricanes, I decided to open my home again -- and ruin my floors -- by adopting two homeless puppies.
Though I haven't been on a bike since adopting them (too busy picking up failed paper-training efforts), these little guys bring the same kind of joy that a good ride in the mountains does. So we're all getting fatter together.

Meet Mocha and Java...

[DeniseGoldberg]

They are absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on the additions to your "family"...

--- Denise

[Trekhawk]

Oohh they are so cute. I can understand you spending all your spare time with them. How could anyone resist those two.

[sydney_b]

They're irresistable and triggered one of those "awww, I want one too" responses. I'm so glad they've found a good home. You'll have to get a double trailer so they can go with you on your bike.

[kaybee]

They are beautiful! You've done a wonderful thing.

[pkq]

They are so cute! I am glad they have found a good home.

[mtbdarby]

AWWWW is right. I see many chewed shoes in your future but they are adorable!

[On_yer_left!]

thanks for the aawwwws. They are two sweet little monsters, and can't wait till they're big enough for some hikes in the Rockies! I've thought about a bike trailer -- the one for kids, but sticking those two in for a ride instead. I just don't think they could sit still for more than 5 seconds at a time...

[bikerchick68]

omygosh! they are so cute... THANK YOU for rescuing them!!!

I have a good friend who is with the local SPCA... they went to the Gulf region the week after the floods and just their team alone was able to rescue 5000 animals in a weeks time... good to know some of them are finding loving homes...

[caligurl]

OMG! HOW CUTE! they are precious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[On_yer_left!]

My family told me to wait and "grieve" properly for Niki, but I just didn't see the sense in that when there were so many dogs, both from the hurricane and in general, that needed homes. It was heartbreaking going to the shelter, you just want to save them all. But Niki was a pound dog herself, so I'm thinking she'd be happy knowing some fellow orphans were enjoying her toys and the wisps of her hair that still float around the house. Funny seeing a bunch of Niki hair on the little one's nose -- a kiss from the older generation!
Thank God for sweet animals and bicycles.

[caligurl]

i think niki would be most pleased with you! and you aren't replacing her... you never replace them... you are just giving all that love away that you have to give!

everyone has their own waiting period.... my mom, when she lost her sheltie... got a cat within days cuz she couldn't stand not having an animal in the house!

i, on the other hand.. when we lost kassie... did wait a year.. HOWEVER.. we had 2 dogs that were receiving our love... finally one day it was time and we rescued one pound kittie.. then another!

you are happy.. the puppies are happy! everyone is happy and loved!!!!!

(a house without a pet isn't a home!)

[Selkie]

I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet girl, Niki. Losing a pet is hard. You know that Niki is probably wagging her tail, knowing that you had to replace her with two doggies (that's a lot of love). You were right to listen to your heart and to adopt those two puppy bears. They will bring a lot of joy into your life.
I've often thought about getting one of those kid trailers for my bike and taking my goldens w/me occasionally. One at a time, though. They are big gals (Agnes is a 96lber; Maeve, 85 lbs; and Maud, 60 lbs).

[On_yer_left!]

oh, goldens are great! That setup would stop traffic -- plus the idea of pulling 200-plus pounds behind me... yikes. They must be a lot of fun, though!

[SalsaMTB]

They are so cute! I love puppies!!