Annie!

Hope's life is now complete. After years of wanting a dog, she finally has one - Annie!


Daddy and I decided we'd get a puppy for Hope's birthday, and I started scouring rescue sites looking for the kind she likes best (some kind of poodle mix). I was coming up with nothing, but then I found a litter of poodle-beagle mix puppies for sale on Craigslist. They were ready for adoption six weeks sooner than I was really hoping, and they were two hours away, but we jumped on it.

It just so happened that Grandma and Grandpa were driving back from a trip on the very weekend the puppies were available, so they very generously went a bit out of their way to pick up the little one we chose. When they got to our house, Daddy and I quickly ran outside and tied a bow around the puppy, while Hope sat on the couch with her eyes closed waiting for her "early birthday surprise." We came in singing 'Happy Birthday' and carrying this tiny adorable puppy to her.

She said she literally couldn't believe it was really happening. She didn't jump or shout or scream, but she sat there looking shocked and tickled. After a beat, we explained to Hope and Grant that this dog was here to stay - it was Hope's birthday present, she could name it, and it would be our family pet. Grant clapped his hands together and squealed, "Really?!" I think that was kind of how they both felt.


Then we revealed the second surprise: Grandma and Grandpa brought home another puppy for their house! It's hard to believe they're from the same litter, because they don't look much alike, but they definitely act like a brother and sister - they play and romp and bite and nip, then curl up in a cuddly pile to sleep. Hope named her puppy Annie, and after a few days, Grandpa named his Tater (how adorable!).

It's true what people say, having a puppy is a lot like having a baby around. I'm constantly watching the clock to see where she is in the eat/play/poop/nap cycle. She hasn't been destructive (yet) but she has certainly had some accidents in the house, and until she's a bit older I can't be away for more than a couple of hours. Nevertheless, I'm glad Annie is here. She is painfully cute, and has been a lot of fun. Most importantly, she brings Hope such joy. Hope has told us at least a hundred times, so sincerely, "Thank you SO MUCH for my puppy!"

And it's wonderful that Annie and Tater get to see each other every few days. Neither one of them seemed to have any trouble adjusting to being away from the mama or their litter, but I'm sure they love being reunited. These tiny little poogles have it made. And Rusty and Penelope are ... adjusting!