Last week was the last week of school for my kids. It was a crazy week - ending with me hosting a dinner for Rebekah's high school teachers at our house on Thursday & holding a Harry Potter themed 1/2 birthday for Emily on Friday. I spent Saturday morning at my last composting class and the afternoon trying to make some sense of the house and clean up a little before taking off Saturday evening, when I flew to Colorado to get our puppy!
I was fortunate to spend a few days with my dear friend, Melissa, and her wonderful family. I slept, I read, I hung out by the pool. It was really relaxing and a wonderful start to summer.
The best part though, was on Tuesday evening when the breeder (Wendy) met me at Melissa's to bring me Millie. I have poured over pictures of this dog - but she is even more beautiful and so great in "real life." Seriously, have you ever seen a prettier puppy?
Wendy's daughter Grace, had a hard time saying good-bye. I don't blame her! I promised we'd keep in touch. I'm really glad they had a kid in their house, so Millie could get used to kids. Millie was clearly loved and a part of the family before she came to us, which I'm sure has helped her adjustment.
Me, Millie and her Mom, Lilly.
So, now you have a good idea how big Millie will get - a perfect size!
After they left, I fed her. She LOVES to eat.
Then she went to the "bathroom." (aka Melissa's flower bed.)
Then we played in the backyard.
She seemed tired, so we stopped and I rubbed under her chin and she fell sound asleep against my legs with her little paws in the air. She is a darling!!
About 10:30pm we left for the airport and the red-eye home. I was a little nervous about how she'd do on the flight - being only hours after separating from her mother & litter mates. I reminded myself that I have flown with my kids dozens of times (I am a pro) and that I'd never see any of the other passengers again ...
Once I'd checked my bag and got my boarding pass I took her outside for a little walk and to see if she'd "go" again (she didn't). I went through security and headed to the gate. It was after mid-night and I thought the poor little thing was probably tired. I walked around, back and forth in front of the gate carrying the bag until she went to sleep.
She was an ANGEL on the flight. I kept the bag on my lap after we had taken off. Not a single sound out of her. She slept until about 20 minutes before we landed (I think the change in in altitude probably woke her up) and then just sat quietly in the carrier while I patted her. I had unzipped the top, so she could poke her head out while I did that, but the flight attendant came by and said "Ma'am, you're going to need to keep that closed." I did think to myself "Why, to keep this vicious puppy from attacking anyone?" - but I zipped it mostly closed and just kept my hand in so I could keep stroking her. As I was getting off several people who had been sitting around me commented that they'd had no idea I'd had a dog with me.
Rick was outside waiting for me, so I let her out to see if she needed to "go" (still didn't) and then handed her to them in the car while I went back in for my bag.
If you ever want to make your kids deliriously happy - bring them a puppy!
We got home and got out of the car, took her to the spot we want her to use as her "potty" and she went right away. I just kept thinking to myself - we have the perfect dog!
She has blended into the family beautifully. She follows me wherever I go and flops on the ground by my feet when I stop to do dishes, laundry, etc. We just keep her wherever we are and she has been great. The toughest part is keeping the kids away from her when she is sleeping. Jacob & Jane just love hugging her and kissing her so much!
Eventually I chase them away and she gets a quiet nap.
Her first night home she cried a lot - on and off most of the night. We got 2 crates and put one in our room, at the foot of our bed where we want her to sleep. (The other is in the dining room for when we have to leave her at home and go out - which we have so far only done for 1 hour.) Rick complained that she kept him up, which I thought was hilarious because he has had no problem sleeping through our kids all these years! The second night & last night she slept through without a sound.
She has had a few accidents in the house, but I think those were mostly our fault - not reading her cues or getting her out in time. She's still just a baby and we're all learning together.
The kids are just loving having her to play with - it's so much fun to have her hanging out with us.
Although there have been some issues with "sharing" and I have said to Jane 5 million times
"Jane, don't pick her up." On the whole, everyone is sharing in her care (under my supervision) and getting lots of play time with her.
So, she cleans her plate at every meal, sleeps through the night already, comes when I call her and follows me when I leave. Already she is so much better behaved than my kids!
I am totally in love with this dog!!
