Life Update
April 26th, 2008 by Evil Beet
Just wanted to take a second out and give you guys an update about what’s going on with me. I’m still getting emails and MySpace messages from you guys about Charlie and Seattle, and it just means the world to me that total strangers care so much.
I’m still in Seattle; I love it here. (Email today from friend: “You’re in Seattle!? OMG! how are you going to continue your rise as a D-list celebrity?”) I’ve made tons of friends at the RealNetworks office (and drank tons of their free sodas), and have been having a blast hanging out with my old LA pal Trish, her amazing boyfriend and their 120-pound Great Dane (Me: “Trish, your dog is at my goal weight.”)
And on the dog front: I now have a new pal. His name is Leo. He came from a wonderful rescue shelter in Yakima, Washington. I drove five hours round-trip for this dog! He’s a chihuahua/terrier mix and right now he weighs three pounds. He’s full of life, and I’ve had him for almost two weeks now and he still seems healthy as a horse, so I think I’m ready to introduce him to you all. No one can replace Charlie for me — he’ll always be in my heart, and I think about him daily — but I love Leo bunches and he’s been a wonderful companion.
I finally got up the nerve to call the pet store where I got Charlie and demand my money back. I was really scared about doing it; I was afraid they’d be totally rude, and blame me, and it would be really stressful and awful and just open up old wounds. They were actually less mean than I expected; they said Charlie was covered by a PAWS warranty, and that the money I spent on Charlie and my vet bills would be reimbursed. I still have to submit all the paperwork, and I’m not going to totally believe this until I actually have the check in my hand, but it’s a good start, because Charlie’s vet bills were thousands of dollars. I’m thinking I’ll donate most of the money to animal rescues and to help people who are struggling financially to cover their vet bills if their pets have to go through something like Charlie did. It was such a horrible experience, and I was so grateful through it all that I could at least afford the very best treatment for him. I want to be able to help families who are not so fortunate. I am open to recommendations for charities.
I’m going to stay in Seattle for the summer, maybe longer. The place I’m at now isn’t particularly pet-friendly (read: there’s a strict no-pets policy), so Leo and I are moving to a new apartment in South Lake Union in a week. The building has a huge deck on the top floor with lots of grass for dogs to run around, so Leo can go up there and make doggie buddies (once he’s had all his shots, of course). My kitties are coming up in the next month. They are going to be so excited to be on an airplane! (Heh, yeah right.) They’re gonna show up and be like, “Let me get this straight, Mom: You put us on an airplane, move us to a new city, a new apartment, a new climate, and, just for fun, there’s a fucking dog here now?” They are not going to speak to me for days, I’m sure.
Anyway, thanks again for all your concerns. The outpouring of comments, emails and MySpace messages has just meant so much to me. A reader even invited me to a birthday party in Seattle tonight! You guys rock so hard. Thank you.
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Good for you beet! :)
Eeeee, how adorable is Leo!?? And that is great news about getting the bills reimbursed, and I think it’s just so generous of you to donate the money! Such a noble move. I hope things continue to blossom for you in Seattle :]
Oooohhh, he’s so precious!!! I’m looking at the pictures and cooing uncontrollably.
I think you were very brave to call the pet store and ask to be reimbursed. I can imagine how difficult that must have been for you.
I hope you and little Leo are happy together, and also, I hope your kitties forgive you. >_>
he’s such a cute puppy.
i also hope you’re enjoying the weather—today in particular (4/26) is gorgeous! summertime is the best time to be in seattle…we actually get some rain-free days :)
Hello! I love your dog. He is so cute. :)
I’m glad to hear about your cats, I was going to ask about them.
I think it is fantastic that you have a new little pal. Charlie is looking down and is happy for you. You sound like such a genuinely nice person Beet, good hearted people are few and far between. Your kitties won’t be as traumatized as you think from the plane ride. Years ago I had a shaded silver Persian named Allegra (She passed away in 05 at age 20!) I was in an apartment that was anti pet and had to ship her to San Francisco to live with my parents- She made the trip just fine. Make sure that whoever ships them puts blankies in to keep them warm because the cargo area for pets tends to get rather chilly, and several blankies that they can curl up with will make the trip more comfy for the little dears. If you are looking for a great place to make a donation, please check out Best Friends in Utah. Best Friends is an amazing place, particularly because they take in all types of animals and if they cannot find them homes, the animals get to live out their lives at the Best Friends Ranch. They are a no kill shelter/home and have done amazing things. My parents and I have been “friends” of Best Friends since the early 1990’s. The Humane Society and ASPCA are always great places in need of money as well. Before gas prices went through the roof I volunteered at an animal shelter 1 hr. from my house 3 days a week, unfortunately I couldn’t afford to do it any longer as my gas guzzling Jeep made the 2hr. round trip economically insane for me to continue to keep up with, my point is that local animal shelters are always in need of donations of dry, canned foods,as well as towels, medicines, litter, grooming tools, toys and cleaning supplies. Just dropping off any of these items is a blessing for these shelters, especially in rural communities where I am. Thanks for sharing Leo with us, he looks darling! Sounds like things are looking up for you, that is great and gives hope to those of us going through rough times ourselves right now. You are my inspiration Beet, to get out of my doldrums now : )
Adorable! Good you gave another puppy a chance to find a wonderful home! Enjoy the time with your new little friend!
Oh my god. What happened to Charlie? Is there a post I missed. =[ Ahhh.
Oh, Beet, Leo is soooo adorable. I bet he and your kitties will get along wonderfully. I hope that the pet store lives up to its word in reimbursing you. I look forward to seeing more of Leo as he grows, and I know that he is lucky to have you as a mommy!
You are proving what a responsible pet owner should be. I was so sorry to hear about Charlie. Parvo is such a terrible disease. If you are actually able to get a refund and want to donate, I would suggest your local humane society, or a favorite rescue group (the one Leo came from would be a good place to start). Congrats on the new baby boy and may you have many years of happiness together!
Now he is one of the cutest I have ever seen. However my girlfriend is sitting next to me and thinks you need to release more pictures. So will you do us all the honor?
Great pick and I love that you rescue, keep up the good work and blessings in all you do.
I love him and love hearing about your life, you seem like such a sweet and caring human being, which is rare in America.
aww Beet! i hope he brings lots of joy to your life!
I love your new dog! He’s adorable! I’m glad you have found a new pal and that you’re happy in Seattle. =)
Leo is a cutie, Beet! There is lot of fun action in Seattle. You will love spring and summer there. Keep on keepin’ on!
Hey girl, I’m glad things are looking up. One of my favorite charities is Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. Check out their web page at http://www.bestfriends.org. They rock!
OOOOOOoohhh loooook at those button eyes!!!! And the floppy triangle ears!!!! Oh he is too cute for words!!!
Coolest dog name by a mile. Train him well.
What a cute pup!!!!
congrats on leo- he is sweet! hope you two have a wonderful summer here in “the emerald city”. by the way, a great off leash dog park is magnuson park…leo will love it.
i love love love leo!!
and i’m glad you’re getting the money back on Charlie- definitely doesn’t pay back all of the heartache you went through but at least you can put it to a good cause.
<3
he’s so cute I think I just started lactating a little.
Congrats on the new family member!! He is absolutely adorable!
We have a Chi/Terrier mix, too. She is the most animated little character. She dances, whines, talks, and gets into lots of trouble!!! But we still love her immensely.
Congrats!!
Oooh wookit that sweet lil face! Congrats, Beet – onward and upward.
Congrats Beet! Leo’s so adorable! Good luck with everything!!!
aw, congratulations! leo is adorable. you’re so brave, especially right after charlie… i’m happy for you!! if i’m ever in seattle i’ll bring tinkerbelle to play. haha
OH MY Leo is cuter than my daughter…. GASPS
Will trade Leo for my boyfriend… no joke…
Awww…there is nothing more precious than a new dog. I felt so bad when I first read your post about Charlie. My bassett hound’s siblings all died of parvo and she was the only one to not get it. I’m so glad you’re moving from a different place than the one that you lived with Charlie in. I’ve heard that if you stay in the same place you have to wait another year before getting another dog if one was infected with parvo. I’m a huge dog lover and I wish you all the best.
get yours, girl!
Leo is a great name for a dog! :) I love the name Charlie, too, but Leo is my dog’s name!
Aww, Charlie didn’t make it? :( I guess I missed that one. Man, what a depressing day this is turning out to be. I’m sorry!
That is the effing cutest dog I have ever seen!
That is the cutest puppy ever!!
I’m sooooooooooooo happy for you!!! Seems like everything is going *great* & you def. deserve it babe!!! Leo is freakin ADORABLE & I can’t wait until your cats get there & have a shit fit-good luck! ;)
If you ever come to VA-holllllllllllla! I hope you find a great place to live that lets you have the animals & Iam so happy that you’re getting everything worked out about Charlie. Sucks big time it had to go this way, but it seems to all be working out okay. I think donating the money to animal charities would be wonderful!!!
I’m so happy we’re friends on MySpace now-you’re awesome!!! ♥
Aaawwh! How ridiculously adorable Leo is!!
I have only had two dogs in my life – both terrier mixes! Beet, terriers are SOO smart and have such great personalities and live a LONG time.. My current dog is a schnoodle terrier mix – I got her at an early 7 weeks old – she is now 15 is still spry and peppy! You will be blessed with a long happy life for your new baby. You’re awesome and loved – eek!
He’s adorable!
congrats on adding such an amazing little creature to your life!!! leo is wonderful!!! what a wonderful addition to your family!
He’s so flipping cute!
I adopted my pomeranian Fizz from the humane society. His name was Leo when we first got him, but we decided that Fizz suited him much better.
btw, my mom’s a dog trainer, and she recommends introducing him to dogs (that you know are nice and healthy, of course) before he’s had all of his shots. His first 3 months are crucial and anything he doesn’t see, hear, touch, meet, and have a positive experience with will be very difficult to have him socialized to after the first three months. Just a side note :)
Such a beauitful puppy (and i am not even a dog person) good luck for raising little Leo.
Animal Shealters are always the way to go (three cats and counting – I am also a member of my local cats home – wanting to give something back to them for providing me with my fluffy babies)
from a pet lover myself, i just want to say thank you beet for even thinking about donating money to families whose pet needs medical attention.I went through something like that with my pet german sheppard named Blitz, after spending about a grand in vet bills, they still needed to operate on him. The vet couldn’t guarantee me a full recovery and the bill was $2,000.00. i was just an 18 year old kid back then and had spent my money on prior bills to the vet. rather than see him suffer as his condition was getting worse, i opted to have him euthanized. i miss him a lot………..thanks again Beet, good luck with Leo.
Glad to hear you got another dog. He’s adorable. Please update on your experiences with Leo. I thought your posts about Charlie were great….
awww beet, im glad things are turning around for you after a long several months. good luck with your new (FUCKING AWESOME) hometown and your new puppy.
Your dog is adorable. I adopted a puppy from the pound like a year ago only to find out he had parvo, so I totally get what you are going through. When he died, it was so terribly sad, even though I’d only known him for a few days. Glad to see that you are moving on – keep the posts coming. You rock!
Leo is adorable! Please keep posting pictures of Seattle. I was born there (moved to GA when i was a year old) I ‘ve never been back out there. Its cool to see what it looks like!
What a cutie! Congrats on your new little friend.
I am so jealous, I want one. I WANT ONE NOW!!
I seriously want to nom nom your puppy.
Yay for puppy love!
The puppy is adorable!!! And so is that backyard omfg.. I wish i could make mine look like that, that would make me so happy..