Early Christmas Present

Here is the new baby in our house. TOBY. He's a 9 week old Cockapoo mix we rescued on Thursday from a local organization that appears to focus on helping abandoned pregnant dogs and their pups. He was born October 14th so we took that as a sure sign that he was meant to be in our family since my boys were born Oct 16 and Oct 17.

BTW, http://www.petfinder.com/ is entirely helpful in, well, finding pets.

After couple years of the children begging and pleading for a dog we finally caved. All the stars had to align. And then there was finding an agreeable landlord, a breed that won't cause TOO much havoc with an allergic boy, and a puppy (not a grown dog who knows for sure that it doesn't like kids which we tried last month and didn't work very well).

Oh the joys. He is adorable but it's a good thing. Because. OF ALL. THE RIDICULOUS. AMOUNT. OF WORK. This may be one of those life experiences that your children won't fully comprehend until they have a turn as an adult.....

I took Toby out every 3 hours the first night just like crate training folks recommend. And Luke and I 'slept' (if you can call it that) near him so he could see us and be a part of our pack. Did you other dog non-lovers out there know that being alone is a very 'dangerous' feeling to a pack animal? I didn't either before yesterday. Who knew? He also has to have anti diarrhea pills for 5 days straight just as a preventative measure for all the changes in his living situations. I know, I know, I'm feeling a little bit silly right now.

I do need to report that we had our first poop OUTSIDE of the house last night!!! I really feel like celebrating. So does Dawson who has been doing most of the cleaning up. Except that this happened after I finally let him roam the yard until he was ready to produce. Which isn't THAT big of a deal except that it's been pouring down rain since last night and our yard is a muddy marshland and he was shivering by the time we came back inside. This of course, meant we needed to give him a bath. Oh My Word. What a production. The things we do for our children! =)

Dawson did mention that he had a bigger dog in mind....one that can run and catch frisbees. But he's been the most smitten so far and excels at nuturiing. We'll practice caring for this little hypoallergenic fluffball in the meantime and who knows, maybe he'll grow to love frisbees...?