Uh, Ok...

Computer woes are getting me again.

As many of you know, we have a new puppy.

A mouthy, rambunctious, bouncy, chewy, slobbery puppy.

He just doesn't know what's cool to pounce on and what isn't.

Bless his heart.

I say that because his favorite chew toy at this point is either ME or expensive computer wires.

...Bless his heart...

During my Christmas break I've had to stock up on bandages because Teddy surprises me and snags my ankle or wrist.

One time he almost pierced my nose (THAT took some explaining).

These last few days Don and I have been dogsitting along with tolerating our own playful pup.

Unfortunately, Teddy thinks these well-behaved, quiet, peaceful older dogs are new playmates (or chewtoys)and he has pestered them mercilessly.

Poor things. Bless their hearts.

Usually our visits with Jordie and Murphy are a delight; this time, however, I'm reminded of those commercials that feature starving children who woefully gaze at the camera. These dogs stare at me as if begging me to DO SOMETHING!!

Sorry, Dudes. You're on your own. I'm on my way to Walgreens to get more bandaids.

Puppy Changes Everything

This is like deja-vu all over again.

Our new puppy Teddy has totally retooled (redrooled?) our way of thinking. It's as if we had a baby in the house again.

This time we're almost prepared: the shoes are above chew level, the grab-able dangly earrings are stored away for a while.

We even had to put a baby gate up to protect the Christmas tree.

Alas, we were too late in some instances: A button mysteriously disappeared from my cozy slippers, a few ornaments became chew toys, and we've had to splice the wiring on not one but two phone chargers.

But we're more resilient this time. Unlike a toddler, we can crate this rascal. The protesting noises are similar but the guilt I feel isn't the same.

We've had visitors to see the new family member, each person presenting gifts which promptly were ignored in favor of the packaging they came in.

Hey, I gotta go- I just realized it's been way too quiet for a few minutes. I have to go check on the little furball to see if he's writing on the walls or sticking his tongue in a light socket.

Later!

Puppy Love

I would have written sooner, really. My brain is filled with lots of stuff (or is it stuffing?) I want to share with you.

But I have been detained.
Derailed.
Hindered.
Sideswiped.
Kidnapped.
Dognapped.

Actually, of all the descriptive words mentioned above, the last one is the most accurate. I have been captured by the attentions of a dog.

A puppy.

This weird little black ball of fur- daughter Kari calls it a 'Lint Trap'- came into our lives two weeks ago.

And I haven't slept through the night since.

You'd think I had a newborn around here, what with the demands this little mutt has made on my oh-so-cushy life.

I call it a mutt because we're not really sure what he is. If we took a poll (and gambled with real money) the odds are that he's a labrador/chow mix and I'd be rich.

A Chowbrador or a Labchow.

At any rate, a dear(?) friend of mine rescued this stray puppy and brought him to me.

I resisted but was overtaken by the irresistible aroma of puppy breath. Baking chocolate chip cookies and fresh mountain air can't compete with the smell of puppy breath. Wars could be averted if, instead of cyanide gas, armies sprayed puppy breath.

I wasn't quite ready for a dog since the loss of Barney, my 17 year old beagle mix in June. But my friend (??) decided we were this little canine's only hope.

Don and I hemmed and hawed and reasoned and debated until finally...

Well, his name is Teddy.

I'll tell you more about this little guy but I might have to wait until he's past his teething phase.

He's clamped onto my pantleg and I'm having trouble getting to the computer.