Ugh. So… Ugh… we are doing two things that I said I would never do. Adopting a puppy. Adopting a puppy with an older dog. I was always of the mentality that everyone rescues puppies, why not get an older dog that may have a little training. AND, if you get a puppy when your dog is aging, it will push her to the grave that much faster. Nandi was six months when we adopted her and she was and still is pretty much the perfect dog. She is 11 now. After the past eight years of our family; being moved across the country, thrown up on by infants, trucks and toys wound up in her fur, tripped over and fallen upon, dinners dropped on, yelled at by toddlers, and dressed up by little girls, she just chills out and watches. She has figured out where to hide when she needs her own space and she has learned how to manipulate the kids to her advantage. For example, she stands at the pantry door until Shea gets her a bone, she also just walks right into Shea or Kate when they are being annoying. She reminds me of a person that might just want to say “you are too loud, and too annoying and whiney, let me help distract you from yourself” BUMP! Which always is met with the same response “NANDEEEEEEEEE, Mom, Nandi just smashed into me. NO THANK YOU NANDI!” She looks back and keeps on walking.

My theory is, there was no better preparation to adapt with change than becoming a parent AND working for Sun Microsystems for a decade. If it my life wasn’t changing in at home, it was at work. So, hey…. as I love to say it is what it is so just move on…

So, my change of heart and the ensuing conversation with Shad went something like this… I think that Nandi is at the age where a dog friend might be okay. It might keep her young and we may benefit the other way and she may train a new friend. After searching for a while, and helping my sister Kate find a puppy, a puppy entered my mind. It never left. When I asked Shad I could see that he was totally open to the idea and relishes in the idea of a new running mate down the road. All that brings us to today – my final conversation and acceptance with WOOFFUN. Our two page application, a conversation with our current vet, calling of both of our references, an hour long home visit – wow. They are thorough. The whole family, including Nandi, needs to go to the puppy meeting tomorrow. I’m so excited but do wish I could meet the two dogs that I’m interested in… Shirl at WOOFFUN has told me that both of them are so great that either one will be wonderful. I’ll have to take her word for it.

We’re excited, the kids, especially Shea, are cleaning up because I told them that whatever was left on the floor will likely get chewed up. Shea has gotten a little crazy cleaning up and suggesting the things the puppy might want to eat. Tonight it was a sock, a windbreaker jacket because it had ladybugs on it, Reilly’s backpack, Kate’s boots and a pair of shoes she doesn’t like so she volunteered them for the puppy to eat.

I’m sure I’ll be online tomorrow to share again – perhaps with a photograph. Imagine that.