You may remember about a month ago when we found a little lost dog, who we named Fred, that had a brief but profound stay at my house. We located his owners after just a couple days, and even though it was the right thing to do, I became pretty unpopular around here when we returned him.
Well, I’m happy to report that I’m no longer the Worst Mom in Town. I’ve redeemed myself. Let me preface this by saying that it is my own personal opinion that it’s okay to be unpopular with your kids, and I don’t think giving in is always the right thing to do. However, in this case, they were awesome with Fred, there wasn’t a major allergy issue around the dog, and I’ve wanted a puppy for the last five years.
After some research, searching through newspapers, breeders online, and classifieds we found Berkeley. We got him just over two weeks ago from a family in Baltimore who was moving an unable to take him along. He came from a house with two small children, just celebrated his first birthday last weekend, is a West Highland Terrier, and has made a virtually seamless transition into our home.
He’s been great with all of the kids, has had only a few “accidents” getting used to our schedule and new bathroom routine for him (he previously lived in an apartment and it took him four or five days to get used to the yard and going out on his own), and we’ve had no allergy issues with my husband or my Dad. As an added bonus there has been a sharp decline of food to clean off the floor after mealtime.
He loves playing with the kids, has a real affinity for bones (and burying them indoors and out), and has somehow snuck his way into sleeping on the foot of the bed each night. His previous owners had definitely taken great care of him, and we’re spoiling and loving him as much as we can too.
Berkeley has a funny and playful personality and I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about him and his partners in crime. He and the kids have already had some fun, made some pretty awesome messes, and are already best friends.
So without further adieu, meet Berkeley:
Berkeley on his first day enjoying his toys
Snuggle buddies taking a break from playing
One of Berkeley's favorite spots to hide his rawhides.
An uncovered sandbox is great for digging too!
A rainy day is no excuse not to do some gardening!
Say what you will...it may look like a kid's scribblings, but I think it's pretty damn good for a dog!
What do you think of Berkeley? Do you have any kids and pet stories? Leave me a comment! And show Berkeley some love and give us a quick daily vote on Top Mommy Blogs by clicking the link below. That’s all it takes!
Your dog is TOO cute!! He looks like my little Rooty Rootbeer (Cairn Terrier). I like the way you don’t have his hair styled like a Westie either, my groomer calls it “Rough & Ready” – no style. Since I can’t attach a photo here, I will at your facebook page. Im so glad too to hear that you adopted him
) A great addition to your family!! My daughter went off to college 6 years ago and I got my little dog to fill the void – it almost worked 
) Take care..
Lorri in Idaho
He is so cute!!… and you are one courageous Mom!
He’s super sweet, and good for you for getting a nice, gently-used model.
Adorable! We got our dog as a puppy last year when my daughter was 4, and even though he now weighs 70 lbs.(he’s a boxer), they are BEST friends! I hope the same for your little ones and Berkeley! = )
He is adorable!!! Seeing as my 6 year old son is an only child, for now anyways
, our dogs are his buddies! He wrestles with them and runs with them, they are the best of friends. We have an Australian Cattle Dog who is my son’s ball playing buddy and we have a Rottweiler/Bullmastiff mix that is my son’s wrestling partner. Together all three of them have made EPIC messes, but i wouldnt have it any other way!!
Good lord he is soooooo frekin ADORABLE!!!!
I wanted a dog that size, small enough that I would allow it to sleep in bed with the kids or cuddle on the couch with. The husband got his way and I got a 125 lb lap dog. That is NOT allowed on the beds or ANY furniture.
He’s sooo cute! We had to put our 11 year old basset hound to sleep 2 months ago due to pancreatic cancer and I really miss him always being right there to clean up the food that fell on the floor. Does Berkeley shed at all? I would love to get another dog whenever my husband is ready, but I want a smaller dog with minimal shedding this time around. I’ve always thought Westies were cute and it’s nice to know they’re good with kids too. Our basset was 80 lbs. and shed something terrible – but he was such a great (patient) dog and I really miss him.
Very cute Dog!!
Ahhh! He’s so cute! I’m dying!!! I love that he’s a rescue too. By the way, I’m Ali and I’m the blog right behind you in the Parents Magazine contest. Your blog is awesome! Just wanted to say “hi.”
OMG, he’s adorable! He’s a lucky boy to have a new home with you guys and I can tell he’s a wonderful addition to your family! I’m sure he’ll give you lots of material for your blog !!!
Super huge congrats on helping rescue a dog. Switch from rawhide bones to Nylabones. Dogs ( and kids) can bite off chunks of rawhide, swallow and the results: the rawhide gets lodged in intestines. It will not break down and can kill. Expensive surgery to save the victim is often the result. I write from personal experience!
Gwen, from Now and Gwen, told me about your blog, and I am really glad she did. This is the first blog I read and it makes my heart smile. I had a West Highland White Terrier while growing up
His name was Wes (yeah, super creative-I know) and the most energetic dog in the world. He loved for the show to be about him and would even get jealous if we made a big deal about giving someone a hug, as he therefore being ignored, lol! He had really really bad allergies though, the poor guy. So happy for you and your family. I am sure Berkeley will fit right in and keep your family on your toes.
Broke down last week and got a kitten for our 4 year old’s bday. She has been asking for nearly a year. She wanted it to come in a box. So it did. It was found by a neighbor wandering by a big road so we took it in. We are all in love. Congrats on your new addition. When you see how happy your kids are with the new pet and how well he/she fits in, you wonder why you were ever so nervous about adding to the family in the first place! (The 6 week old kitten loves to snuggle with our 9 year old Pomeranian – we are sick from all of the cuteness going on here)
I’ve always wondered how people have toddlers without a dog! Enjoy your new vacuum cleaner! He is adorable
Berkely is soooo freaking adorable!!! You ahve to love a little white dog! He looks like he is just fitting in perfectly!!!I
like the rawhides from Sam’s Club.
I make my dogs leave them in the house and they can not bring them in bed! LOL My dogs were eating the nyla bones too and it grossed me out. I watch what size pieces they get and when it gets small I throw it away. It sure keeps them busy and out of trouble!
He’s a cutie. One of the best things about having a dog with kids is the lack of food left around. Our dog makes sure there are absolutely no food particles left anywhere. With three kids and a baby, it is a must. Hope you are enjoying him. Oh and did he really draw on your door? Or am I just gullible?
Love this! What an awesome mom. You are how I start my day so thanks for the blog. Diet Dew and the Mac…. Love all the photos you post!
That is a seriously cute dog, but at the risk of sounding insensitive, the thing that excited me most was when you mentioned having less food to clean up off the floor after dinner. I’m not kidding.
That is one cute dog. I love the pic of him by the sandbox!
So precious! And if you’ve ever seen “Best in Show” you know that “God loves a Terrier…yes he does!”
Congratulations!! Your puppy is absolutely adorable. We got our own new puppy back in September and funny enough I wrote a post about her yesterday mainly to show some gratuitous pictures of her!
http://www.amomsdime.com/2011/10/20/how-much-training-should-my-rascal-have/ Well that and whether I should really sign up for more puppy training. I’ve loved having our new one in our life and I hope you have as well-sure looks like it.
Cute dog, even cuter kid!
We just got a cat– Mongo. Although my daughter probably assumes its full name is Mongo-Goddammit-Get-Off-Of-There.
He’s so stinkin’ cute!! And I’m completely impressed with his drawing skills. My dogs just eat crayons and leave me colorful poop outside when they manage to find stray crayolas around the house.
Our Manchester Terrier (looks like a Doberman, only smaller with flopped over ears & a long tail) (also a rescue) also likes to bury his raw-hides outside, so they get nice & soft & full of dirt. And then, for extra gross out factor, he eats them & barfs them back up inside the house! EWWW! Watch out for those he’s hidden out there–word to the wise
I’m going to try the nylabones; they’re definitely less icky. Congrats on your new furry family member!