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So What do you get when you add "Sugar" to the Mix? A VERY noisey household!

By
Home Stager with Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island #888

Just when I'm trying to simplify my life, a friend calls.  But she's upset, more upset then I've heard her in a very long time.  She had been forced to "downscale" in her life and last year sold her house and went back to renting.  It was terribly difficult on her but she couldn't make the payments anymore and her main problem was finding a place that would accept her dog.  There are very few places on Long Island that will rent if you have a pet; I've seen my friends renting for years and they have the same problem.

She finally got a place and almost from day one, had problems with her landlady.  The landlady would ask her things she didn't think were fair (to park around the block, for example so her "view" isn't obstructed and my friend in some retaliation went back on some of her promises--to help shovel or do some yardwork, for example).  I don't think either one could wait for the year lease to be up and my friend was at it again, looking for an apartment that would take her, her grown children and her dog, Sugar.  I've known Sugar as long as I've known this friend and have always loved her.  She is intelligent, completely trained, a great watch-dog, and, well, sweet....that is, if you know her.  She is also quite protective and LOUD.  And BIG.....way bigger then I am and has a bark you can hear a block away.

My dog is a Shih-Tzu, a little "Buddy."  He's still in his "baby" stage so he's still wild and he doesn't bark...he cries.  He cries if the doorbell or the phone rings (I think he thinks I'm hearing impaired :)  But he's a sweetheart.  She's crying, my friend, because although her new landlord said she could keep the dog, he's terribly allergic to it and she has to get rid of her--NOW.

You guessed it.  Sugar is now living with me, my Skylar is probably wondering why on earth I have a horse in the house and they are getting used to each other, slowly. And Sugar barks at EVERYTHING, any little noise.  This is new to my little Sky and this afternoon I heard him join in, for the first time!  Kinda cute....and VERY LOUD.

So, I have a new, trained, loud, protective addtion to my family....and if I don't trip over her, it will be a miracle.  Here she is:

Feng Shui Long Island's SugarI think she's a Rottweiler but cute, huh?  If she doesn't eat the little one and I can afford to feed her, I'm doing well :)

Posted by

 

Laura Cerrano is a second-generation Certified New York City Feng Shui Consultant Expert. As a full-time Feng Shui consultant, Laura provides bicoastal consultations and workshops for residential, commercial, real estate developments, Fortune 500 companies and healing faculties. In addition, Laura is a resident teacher at the Metropolitan Institute of Design in Syosset, NY. She has been featured in highly respected publications and TV networks such as Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," PBS, CBC Television, BBC Radio and The New York Times. 

 

Comments(24)

Sybil Holcomb
Ayres Realty - Douglasville, GA
What a great friend you are!  I hope your friend realizes that.  Looks like Sugar is already quite at home.
Jul 29, 2007 12:15 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Carole--I thought from the title this post was about giving kids sweets and them acting out...Funny how appropriately named your new addition is!
Jul 29, 2007 02:02 AM
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC
Hi Carole,
I just knew from the beginning of the story that you were going to step in and save the day!  What a good friend you are and how lucky your friend and Sugar are!  My bet is the 2 dogs will become great pals and company for each other.  Good luck!
Jul 29, 2007 06:09 AM
Irina Netchaev
Pasadena Views Real Estate Team, Inc. - Pasadena, CA
Pasadena CA Real Estate
Carole, you're a brave soul to take on a huge, loud dog who probably is a Rottweiler.  Enjoy her!
Jul 29, 2007 07:23 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL
Lucky you and lucky Sugar.  Personally I think we can never have too many dogs:-) and a Rottie to boot.  How cool is that?  Skylar will get used to it and pretty soon they will be best buds.  Good luck and if you have any major issues just call Caesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer:-)
Jul 29, 2007 09:36 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire
Hi Carole- what a beautiful dog. She does look like a Rottie. It isn't just NY that is making pet ownership difficult. Unless you own...there are lots of restrictions around here too. Just one more thing!
Jul 29, 2007 01:44 PM
Julia Fedak
Royal LePage State Realty - Ancaster, ON

Way too cute! I absolutely love dogs...but unfortunately, our lives don't really permit having one. The poor thing would be left home way too much. I just borrow friends/neighbors to take for walks! Too bad you didn't live closer!

Julia

Jul 29, 2007 02:02 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Yvonne, I would have renamed him!  Goodness, I can't  believe someone would name their pet that.  Although right before I got my Skylar I looked at the papers to see his parents names....His father was named Jim Jones.  Had it not been love at first site, I might not have gotten him!!

Jennifer, absolutely NO ONE wants to rent to someone with a pet---unless you pay double what the overpriced apartment is worth.  I know you're right about Seniors especially, Years ago I took my Maltese occasionally to a Senior home, they loved my little Tidbit :)

Rondel, I think they are in a bit of a power struggle.  My little one is trying to stand his ground while Sugar is taking over his "turf."  I think they'll work it out.  Thanks for your comment.

Jo, my goodness, I know she knows me but Sugar has a tough side.  I have to tell her it's ok if someone comes to the door. She's like a protector.  The barking I don't mind a bit :)  Oh, and she LOVES the yard, she hasn't had one in a long time! 

Sybil, Thank you for the comment.  I bet most people that had the room would have taken her too.  My friend know me and knew I would let her go to a shelter where they would put her down.

Teri, you are SO right, she is sweet.  And boy, can she EAT; I thought the kids were bad :)

Cynthia, you know me already :)  I don't know if I would have taken her but she had no where to go....the no kill shelters are completely filled and they're not accepting animals.  How sad,  And come on, you would have done the same thing I bet.

Irina, I'm not sure "brave" is the word but I did know her from being at my friend's home...and she IS sweet once she knows you!  Thanks for the comment.

Terry, I wish I could afford to call Caesar for my little one.  He's more trouble then Sugar :)  Thanks for stopping by!

Joan, I know it's an issue everywhere and it's sad.  People abandon their animals or sometimes bring them to the vet to have them put down when they're moving.  I can't believe it!  The vets here now no matter how long you've been with them check every animal before allowing them to be put to sleep.

Julia, Thanks for the comment.  I would SO miss having a dog...there's been times in my life we've had up to four (which was a lot, but the last two were rescues). 

Jul 29, 2007 04:06 PM
Molly of The Pet Realty Network
Pet Realty Network - Naples, FL

Sure looks like a Rotti to me!  Congrats on the new addition.  Sugar is the PERFECT name.  They are great, SWEET dogs!!  

 

Jul 30, 2007 05:22 AM
Calie Waterhouse
Chandler, AZ
Community Builder
Oh, Carole - congratulations on your new addition.  He's just beautiful.  Make sure you show your friend this blog and the comments.  You are truly a good friend for taking care of something so special (Sugar) and for being there for your friend in her time of need.  You deserve a star just for being you.
Jul 30, 2007 12:29 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Molly, thank you for your comment.  I love that you help with relocating pets!  With your permission I would like to send your information to a journalist in NY who writes about pets....It would make a wonderful story and I'm not aware of anyone who does that here.

Calie, You would think this dog has always been here, she's very happy (I'm not sure my neighbors are :).  And she is very sweet although the two of them are keeping their distance until I say "Cookie" apparently a word every dog knows :)  And thank you for the lovely comment!

Jul 30, 2007 02:46 PM
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC
Hi Carole,
I had to come back to see if there was an update on Sugar.  Yes, you are right--I would have done the same thing.  Actually, I have just taken in a friend and her 4 year old that were have difficulties.  Not sure how long they will be with me but where they were was not a good situation.  
Jul 31, 2007 12:07 AM
Molly of The Pet Realty Network
Pet Realty Network - Naples, FL
Carole - you bet!  Please forward any information about The Pet Realty Network along to your journalist contact.  Thanks.
Jul 31, 2007 03:32 AM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO

CAROLE, your new baby is adorable!  They'll get used to the sounds eventually- my three now don't bark at the bus that picks up my neighbor, Gladys; they're quiet with the postman...but anything else?  The min pin starts it, the lab joins, and then the bulldog lumbers in to add his two cents (by now, the walkers have passed, but he has to contribute despite seeing absolutely nothing outside).  Think of it as "music"...

Jul 31, 2007 08:00 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Cynthia, thank you for checking up on us.  Sugar seems to have triggered something around here, I just found out my son is moving back home!  Not that I won't love having him around, but do you know what the FOOD bill is going to be :)??  My quiet home is never going to be quiet again!!!

Molly, I sent her an email and emailed you to show you the paper, which is in print and online.  She is always looking for new articles and thoughts and I think she'll love it!  I hope she contacts you....

Laurie, another pet lover, I should have guessed!  I actually don't mind the barking, my two little dogs used to bark their heads off; they weren't big enough to actually hurt anyone, but they sounded like a herd;  I missed it with Sklyar who is now barking just to hear himself bark!  Your blog was great, by the way, we need that information!!

Jul 31, 2007 03:23 PM
Donna Oehler
Realty Executives Platinum - Palmdale, CA
A.V. Foreclosure Specialist
Congrats on your new addition to your family - and just think you will not have to pay to save up for college for her. Rotts are the best!  I have had about 5 over the years - all but two I rescued.
Jul 31, 2007 09:01 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Donna, thank you, she is a doll.  It's a big change for me, I have always had little dogs my whole life :)   This one is the size of 3 of my previous pets :)
Aug 01, 2007 12:01 AM
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC
Hi Carole,
Is your son back yet?  If not, when will he be moving in?  No, I cannot imagine what your food bill will be  (lots) but having him back will be great I know.  
Aug 04, 2007 12:22 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
HI Cynthia, Thank you for remembering.  Apparently this has become a "rooming house."  I never know when I go to sleep what I'm going to find when I get up!!  Having BOTH home right now and my new addition is a bit much--it's a good thing I like "their" music :)  Thank you for coming back to see the updates!
Aug 04, 2007 11:04 AM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC
Carole - Congratulations!  You are now a proud animommy to TWO four legged children!  LOL  That's great!  And you will find that the Rotti and the Shih-Tszu will do fine.  I'll bet they will be best buddies in no time.
Aug 06, 2007 05:36 AM