Jasper is our family's newest addition. He looks old in this picture because of the editing, but in reality, he is about three. Jasper came into our lives about this time two years ago. Two days before Corey and I were to set out on our little California Adventure we saw this guy trotting along on the side of the road in Stockbridge, GA. I, of course, couldn't leave him there. Going back, we were able lure him to us with a little food and discovered a deep wound on his left shoulder. We took him to Corey's parent's house (my parents were out of town) where I attempted to clean the wound and figure out what to do with him. Corey and I were about to begin a very long trip across the country with little in our pockets, one big dog already packed into a tiny space in the back seat of his truck and unsure of our future...we simply couldn't take him with us. I proceeded to call shelters and rescue organizations for the next two days with the help of my mom and some of her contacts. Meanwhile, I pretty much fell in love. He would simply sit with his head in my lap, begging for affection with his sweet, brown eyes.
It turns out that summer was a pretty busy one in the south, as far as animal rescue goes. Too many people, unable to take care of their pets in a failing economy, would put them out or leave them for someone else to care for. Most shelters and rescue organizations were too full to take him and some wouldn't because of his injury. I refused to take him to a place that would put him down. We decided he might have a better chance of a good life in a different state. So, headed out of town, I left him at my parents vet, gave him the name Jasper and said goodbye. My aunt picked him up on her way to North Carolina where she found a woman from her church to foster him for a while, eventually finding him a home with a family out in the country, where he has been ever since.
In June, my mom called me with news of Jasper. His family was moving and had to give him up, did we want him? Having been toying with the thought of getting a second dog, I agreed in a heartbeat. However, the decision wasn't just up to me. I called Corey for his thoughts. He thought it pretty strange that I had never stopped thinking about this dog and all of the sudden he needed a home. Without hesitation, my wonderful husband said yes ;) He didn't come without a price though, which actually turned out to be a little more than we imagined. He needed his annual shots, had to be neutered, and of course, we had to get him to California. I won't tell you what it added up to but I will tell you that it has been totally worth it. Our little guy is finally home.
ps...If you didn't know, we rescued Peyton as a stray from The Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, MS (a week long event that my extended family attends every summer) three months after we got married. So far, my family has rescued seven dogs from the Fair, three from this summer alone. Me and Corey, my mom, my aunt and my cousin have all kept one. We are in the process of finding loving homes for the others. Due to lack of spaying and neutering, pet neglect and people not preferring dogs out of the "puppy stage", there is a growing number of stray and "put out" dogs across the south. It is a sad reality that many don't know or care about.
Peyton and Jasper have become fast friends, playing all the time. And his wound is completely healed.
I have no picture of the actual food, I guess we were too wrapped up in eating :)
There's simply NO ice cream that can touch Blue Bell! Every bite of every flavor is delightful!
I know, this is dreadful, but in my defense I was stuffed in the back of a Suburban full of fussy, hungry children when I remembered that I needed a pic...this visit was for the fries, I can't really describe them :)
Enough said!
Yes, that is fried okra! I LOVE Cracker Barrel! Especially the country store :)
They used to make the chocolate chip cookie dough with some sort of maple ice cream. I don't why they stopped but it just isn't the same :(
I forget to get a pic of the food here too :( Great sliders and even better shakes!
This is from the Wolf Bay Lodge sea food restaurant in Perdidio Beach, AL where my grandfather lives :) I LOVE fried crab claws and they are kinda hard to find.
This isn't my favorite but Corey insisted that it be on the list :)
