Last week Portia decided that old Mom and Dad need a puppy--to replace Babs when she moves out on her own. Portia thinks Dad is ready for Gretel The Noble Dog's successor. Why don't Portia and DK get their own puppy? Because they have two cats and aren't home much, that's why.
Babs agrees and even has a name for the prospective pooch: Beatrice. This is a reference to Princess Beatrice, the youngest child of Queen Victoria who lived with her mother to keep her company, even after marrying. (The picture to the left reminds me of El Jefe's saying: "as cute as a speckled pup in a red wagon.")
Babs thinks a dog is a good replacement for her. Not true. Although a dog might watch "Big Medicine" and "What Not To Wear" with me, it wouldn't help cook dinner or have her witty sense of humor. She promises to train it while she is home. Hmmm. Now that she's an adult, I could hold her to that promise, couldn't I? We all know who will be primarily responsible for a puppy now, don't we?
Still...it's an appealing thought. El Jefe is all over it, but his one requirement is that the puppy must have different coloration than Gretel, who was a red dachshund.
Stay tuned....we're pondering the idea.
Babs agrees and even has a name for the prospective pooch: Beatrice. This is a reference to Princess Beatrice, the youngest child of Queen Victoria who lived with her mother to keep her company, even after marrying. (The picture to the left reminds me of El Jefe's saying: "as cute as a speckled pup in a red wagon.")
Babs thinks a dog is a good replacement for her. Not true. Although a dog might watch "Big Medicine" and "What Not To Wear" with me, it wouldn't help cook dinner or have her witty sense of humor. She promises to train it while she is home. Hmmm. Now that she's an adult, I could hold her to that promise, couldn't I? We all know who will be primarily responsible for a puppy now, don't we?
Still...it's an appealing thought. El Jefe is all over it, but his one requirement is that the puppy must have different coloration than Gretel, who was a red dachshund.
Stay tuned....we're pondering the idea.
10 comments:
I was talking with a friend today who lost her beloved Brittany Spaniel at an advanced age and was too sad and too busy in a new pastoral call (she arrived a week before 9/11 and her dog died the same day they moved--terrible) to think of a new puppy. Now that it has been six years, she says she wishes she hadn't waited so long. It's almost making it harder. But it sounds like she will indeed be looking for a pup this fall.
I hope you find the dog who will add joy to your family and honor Gretel's memory with her/his presence.
A new puppy!!! That would be so sweet. Babs is sweet to offer to train it. Now, she just has to train it to cook dinner and bark funny jokes!
Yes yes, I say there is a puppy in your future! How exciting.
Do you really have time for a puppy?
Consider this alternative.
Our beloved dog died unexpectedly in May from an inoperable adrenal gland tumor. She was an 80 lb. Shepherd/Lab mix that we adopted 8 1/2 yrs. ago from the SPCA. We were devastated and didn't think we could get another dog anytime soon. However, a series of events led to a tiny beagle puppy joining our family in June. Although we still miss our Shepherd, our new little beagle is a joy (except when we try to walk her...have you ever tried to walk a beagle on a leash?)
My first dog as a little girl was a red dachshund named Heidi. What a great dog she was, too, and lived to be 14.
I actually did this to my parents when I left California for Wyoming, so what can I say? One of their beloved boxers died suddenly and with me leaving too I thought they should get another puppy to fill that great void left by my departure :) which they did. I was there for the first three months and did the potty & obedience training and it's worked well.
That said, I agree with Zorra too. There are also rescue dogs, as you probably know, both puppies and adults.
Whatever you decide, I'm sure you will find the perfect addition to your family.
How about a greyhound? I really want to adopt one, but don't think it's prudent since we have cats. If you adopt one, I could live vicariously through you! yay!
*grins*
I would think carefully about taking on a dog if you are considering extensive travel with El Jefe, what with the empty nest and all. Now that we have just about got the kids out of the house, we don't want any more pets to take care of--we've got enough.
Dustin--
El Jefe isn't planning on retiring for several years so we don't have any extensive travel plans. Also both Portia and Babs have offered to dogsit when we go out of town! That's definitely part of the deal...
My parents got another dog after my youngest sister moved out and it really helped my dad get over his "empty nest syndrome". However now dad dotes on the dog likea fourth child.
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