Meet Toby

Toby is a one- to one and a half- (the shelter wasn't sure) year-old Lhasa Apso mix.  We got him from a shelter here and he was a stray and had only been there for about 2 weeks.  Tim had a Lhasa when he was younger and said it was the best dog, so he immediately fell in love with him.  I have to admit, when I first saw his picture, I wasn't impressed, but when we saw him in person at the shelter, he was so cute and lovable I couldn't resist.  He has long hair so he doesn't shed, but will need to be brushed and groomed.  He really needs a bath, but he was just "fixed" on Friday so we'll have to wait until he heals.  Tim and I were both worried about how he was going to get along with Evil Cat Max.  At the shelter when one of the employees asked if we had any other pets, and we told her we had a cat, she took Toby (then "Richard") through the cat room, and he was fine, wasn't really interested in the cats, although they all were behind bars, so we still weren't sure what would happen once we got home.  We both agreed that we wouldn't force them to meet but let Max do his own thing and interact as he felt comfortable.  Of course, Max was not happy with him, but he didn't run and hide either.  Toby wanted to play a few times, but once he saw Max getting upset, he left him alone, so it's been really good.  Max still is unsure about him, but is actually trying to get closer, without Toby noticing.  But once Toby sees him and tries to make contact, Max runs away.  And if we pick Max up anywhere near Toby, Max gets really upset and starts hissing and growling.  I think the key is to not let Max feel trapped and just let him adjust in his own way.  He'll get comfortable with his new little brother eventually and maybe one day even LIKE him! :-)  And for those who have never hear of the Lhasa Apso breed before (I hadn't, when we found him), here are a couple of pictures of pure bred Lhasas and what they can look like.  I kind of want to grow his hair out and see what it looks like.  We don't know what breed he is mixed with.

In other news, I got a job!  I will be a teacher's assistant for Autistic support, one-on-one.  I don't even remember what school the lady said on the phone, so I'll have to figure that out, but I think it's an elementary school.  I had to get a drug test, physical, and TB test.  Everything's done except I have to go back tomorrow to get my TB test read, and then take the paperwork to the school district, and then I can start.  I'm very excited!  It sounds like something I will enjoy.  And it's full-time with benefits which is what I needed.  And on top of that, the church is going to pay for the cost for Tim to be covered by the school district on my plan!  We were not expecting that at all, so we are very thankful for that!  God has really provided for us since we've moved here.  We'll just randomly get money in the mail, or someone will just say, "Hey I want to give you money," and every time it reminds us how good God is, and if you just live for Him, he will provide everything you need! :-)