Our first baby !

That is to say...our first puppy!...Our sweet Mr. Woof Woof, part poodle and Irish terrier, was 8 weeks old when we adopted him from the local animal shelter. Like all new parents, for we had never had a dog before. I read books about puppies and was overcome with so many helpful suggestions on what diet he should have and all things pertaining to house training , collars and all the rest. Woofie was such a surprise, just how much you can love a dog and what an integral part of the family he would become. Since all was new to us, every detail of raising him was a struggle. First he had kennel cough and like all first time mothers , I was at the vet all the time. Worrying myself to the point of distraction. After walking him for 30 minutes, trying to get him to pee and poo, he would save it all for the minute we got home . Slowly we made progress and in between ,I spent hours teaching him commands on the leash in the backyard, with my pocket filled with Cheerios for reward . I read the cheerio tip in a dog magazine, and to this day I can't look at a box of Cheerios without thinking of Woofie!
I was freelancing , starting Festival Designs, and Woof Woof and I spent every hour during the day together. I had a little yellow VW bug, with huge speakers in the back . My husband removed the back seat and put the back down with a comfort . This was Woofie's spot . He would ride , swaying to the great tunes ..... the best companion .At least once a week we would do the Mickey Dee drive-in and have lunch in the local park. My success, at freelancing , working all alone in a studio ,was never a hardship, because Woofie was there.
The tradition of our annual Dog Christmas card started with Woof...he was a natural model and would stay still, dressed in any silliness I came up with and look straight into the camera.
He started it all. Our house will never be dog free. Our dogs are so much a part of the rhythm of the house, it would just terrible to be without a pooch. Over the years we have had a combination of two or three dogs. We never thought twice about children, with all the time I painted and pursued a career, children just weren't in my big plan. Any of that nesting mothering found it's home with the dogs, and unlike children, once they are pass the pooping and peeing, they do nothing but add joy. We have never been hated for just being us . Our Dog children have never been embarrassed by our silliness, asked for a car, or announced they were quiting school to marry someone unsuitable...no unplanned pregnancies and they always are glad to see us.
Woofie is the one reason we love dogs to much, he started it all. He was the best companion and sweetest soul , and we feel so blessed that he came into our lives.
We have a new pup as of Friday evening...take a look at Mr. Squiggee's blog...
more on the new baby later.....
FYI...it has been 9 years since our last pup.....you forget what a drama it is...lol...but oh so well worth it in the end...