Adopt, Don't Shop

July 9, 2016 

You first need to know that I have never had a pet (besides fish and a turtle) in my life. My family was always traveling too much, too busy, or not home often enough for pets. We used to beg my mom to let us get a dog, but I think we all understood that it wasn't fair to the pet to lock them in a kennel all day. Pets need love too, ya know? 

Needless to say, I married a dog lover. Josh's family has always had dogs (sometimes multiple dogs), and since the first date we went on, I knew that as soon as he moved out, he would want one as well. Before you start judging about how quickly I gave in, he moved out last July. We adopted this July. I stood my ground for just under a year. I stood my ground because I never let myself walk into a pet shop or shelter. I made this rookie mistake on July 9th. 

We were up in Georgia at my family cabin for a little get away together. It was a rainy day and we were looking for something to do indoors. We were driving down the road when we passed a billboard advertising Rabun Paws for Life. Josh (dog-lover) insisted that we go visit immediately. Unable to deprive my husband on vacation, I obliged. Mistake #1. If you've never been to a pound, don't go unless you are willing to have your house overflowing with dogs or your heart so full that it might overflow. The people at Rabun Paws for Life are just the sweetest ever and we visited with all of the dogs as they showed you their best tricks and left feeling like you could've taken all of them home with you.

Well I left with the above feelings (not figuring we would ever adopt a dog that we then have to put in a car for a 10 hour drive), but Josh didn't feel the same way. He gets in the car and turns and looks at me and says, "I love that Cinncinati, the coon hound. I think we need that dog." Obviously I wasn't sold on the idea so I asked him to think about it over the next few days. (This was a Tuesday and we were there through Sunday.)

As we talked more about him over the coming days, we worked through some of my questions about dogs and how we would train him and how he it would be okay to leave him kenneled form 7 when we leave for work until after 6 when we get home from practice (we both coach). We also seeked out wise council from some people we respect in our lives. I could go ahead and tell you all of the questions that we considered and all of the conversations we had, but all you really need to know is that Josh called the shelter every single day after we visited asking if Cincy was still there.

Needless to say, I didn't have much to say when we went back on Saturday to visit him and I could tell by the look in my husbands eyes that we wouldn't leave the pound without "the one who would complete our family" (his words, not mine). So we visited with him in a room, and then outside and watched him run around like a crazy person (yes, he still does this from time to time) and Josh walked back inside and said we will take him. {I'm pretty sure this was probably (looking back) the best $90 we ever spent}

This is the first picture that we got with him. Funny story actually - we hadn't bought a collar for him because we didn't know what kind we should get (not a dog person, remember?) so that pound offered to give us one. We were standing in the door of the shelter to take a picture together and Cincy saw a squirrel and took off. Collar snapped. Josh and the guy from the shelter went running. I turned and looked at the secretary and asked "What have I gotten myself into?" They came back and we walked outside with Cincy to try again. He ran away. Again. Third time is a charm and Josh decided the best way to go about this was to just hold him for the picture and then go immediately to get him a collar that wouldn't snap every time he pulled on the leash.  

The last 7 weeks with this guy have been some of the best of our lives. It has had it's fair struggles also {like the 16 times he ran away and Josh had to track him down, or the 3 times he has peed on our in laws carpet, or the time he was at the dog park running around and took a lady out, or the time he attacked Josh's hand at the dog beach causing him to lose his wedding band}, but we are just glad that he is mostly kennel trained and that he has come so far. Over the last weeks he has gained lots of weight and is way healthier now. Here's some of our favorite Cincy pictures. Just keep scrolling if you aren't a dog lover (or just adopt a dog and see how long it takes you to change that). 

Hi guys, I'm Cincy. 

Cincy likes to cuddle with me while daddy watches football film before bed 

Sleepiest dog around

He waits for dad to come home from football practice everyday just like this

Despite what his face says, he loves his daddy

Cincy's Officially Part of the Family

Cincy's First Beach Trip

He is also happier because Josh & I's family's spent two long weekends building a fence for Cincy to run around in the backyard of our house. This has helped tremendously with him not running away and with the training process. He also has a way to let his energy out. My grandparents (who were instrumental in the fence building) also come over and spend an hour each afternoon with Cincy while he runs around in our backyard. They are retired and enjoy spending time with him. They are the biggest blessing and allow us to continue to work and coach without feeling like we are abandoning our puppy. 

Now they can run around and practice football plays outside in our backyard :) 

Like I said, almost 8 weeks later, he has gained about 30 pounds and is adjusting quite well to living with us. {Josh says his weight gain has to do with the amount of treats I give him on the daily, but I always plead ignorant.} The transition would not have been as easy if I hadn't had the summer off of work, but each day of torture is well worth it now. Cincy will be joining us on most of the rest of our adventures so you'll be seeing more of him. {We even camped in the house the other night in a tent to see how he would fare - he didn't hate it} 

**Oh and a total side note - I think my parents are kinda coming around to the dog idea. They both enjoy time with Cincy which is a huge blessing! We weren't sure how that would all work out. 

No matter where you live, I guarantee there is a shelter close by housing animals that are in need of adoption. If you are in the Southwest Florida Region, Gulf Coast Humane Society covers most of this area. I urge you, if you are looking for a dog, please look to adopt before you shop. I guarantee it will change your life. I know he changed mine. 

Until next time, 

The Marciano Three

Josh, Hilary & Cincy

Sanibel Island (Family Vacation)

Sanibel Island is one our favorite local places to visit on the regular. About a 15 minute drive from Fort Myers, this beach is PERFECT for a weekend getaway or family vacation. 

A few things you should know about Sanibel Island:

1) Most of the restaurants there are 100% local. DQ and Subway snuck their way onto the island before the bill passed, but one of the things we love most about Sanibel is the food and how you are supporting locals. The other best part about local restaurants is the customer service is typically superior because they truly rely on your feedback and business to keep them open. Try new places and eat like a local :) 

2) Cars are not the norm -- bike, everywhere. Really though, those who live on the island and commute to work drive, but the quickest and more effective way to navigate the island is to bike. Everyone yields to you and it really helps you focus on being on vacation when you aren't sitting in traffic. And just think about the great workout you will get (to help burn off all of the calories from the food you're devouring!) There are a few bike rental places on the island that will let you rent by the day or for the week. Billy's Rental is one of the most popular! 

3) There's really no wifi - which we love because less phone usage means more time together, but if you must use it, you need to hit up the public library, a few restaurants, or Jerry's! 

Love boat ice cream is potentially the best homemade ice cream you've ever had in your entire life. Try the CHOCOLATE BROWNIE BATTER or the SMORES (if you're a chocolate lover like me). It is worth the calories. Just a heads up -- if you eat there early on in your trip, don't be surprised if you end up here every night after dinner. Just know I warned you -- it's addicting and delicious!  

Biking is one of my favorite things to do on Sanibel Island. Josh and I love to bike to Bennett's (more on that later) for breakfast and then head out toward the lighthouse (pictured below). Then we take a walk on the beach, and bike the boardwalks through the sloughs. Then we head back home before headed to the beach. 

When we are on the island, we want to spend most of our time with family. This means that we usually eat light lunches and big family dinners around the dinner table. That being said, we usually only eat out for breakfast while here on vacation (but we will drive out for dinner on a date night any other time of the year).
One of our favorite sit down breakfast places is the Over Easy Café. Although they are typically on a decent wait on weekends, trust me - it's worth it. Their omelets are delicious and so are their pancakes. They cook everything right there in their open kitchen. You can even sit outside on nice days. If you really want to treat yourself, get a mimosa! As far as I've found, it's the only place you can get one on the island. 

If you aren't up for a sit down breakfast, head over to Bennett’s French Roast for THE BEST donuts you'll have here in Lee County. My family would recommend the Cinnamon Sugar, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Orange Coconut and Maple Bacon. It's right on the island and you can either sit down and grab a donut and a cup of Joe (free refills) OR take them to go and enjoy them while listening to the crashing ocean waves at the beach. They also have breakfast sandwiches (including egg white and wheat bread options) if you are looking for a healthier option.

When we aren't eating, or biking, we are spending our time at the beach floating in the waves, baking in the sun, reading books, listening to the ocean waves. 

         

Here's a few pictures from my family's trip! Next time I'll share some of the best places to watch the sunset out here. That is one of our other favorite things to do :)

Love,
Hil