The search is over: Charley found us; and we're proud to announce that we're new parents and GG's the new big sister of Charley, a four-month old Shih-Poo.
I say he found us because we had actually answered Sunday's newspaper ad in response to a different puppy. On Monday, before we went to check the puppy out, both Jamie & I agreed that if the puppy we were going to see was "the one," we'd get him, but if not, then we knew that it just wasn't meant to be. Well, the puppy that we went to see wasn't the one, but we saw Charley and he definitely was. We made arrangements to pick him up on Friday afternoon.
It's amazing how much preparing for a puppy's arrival is like preparing for a new baby. I had to submit my PTO request (called FMLA when a baby's on the way). I thought about how, like GG, he was coming to us with nothing but a birthday suit. He needed a crate, collar, leash, food, toys, grooming stuff, cleaning products for the inevitable potty training accidents; so Tuesday afternoon, I spent my lunch hour (and a good chunk of cash) at PetCo. Even before that, I bought "Raising Puppies for Dummies" and "Raising Puppies & Kids Together: A Guide for Parents." Reminds me of reading the "What to Expect When You're Expecting" series before GG got here. Then we had to select a vet. GG's Godmother provided us with a referral and I immediately scheduled his appointment for this Monday. And of course, we had the name dilemma: I thought he was a Charley right away. Jamie thought maybe he was a Mack...or a Pierre. GG wanted to name him after a boy in her class. But he's a Charley and the name stuck.
Anyway, Charley's home now; and for a first night away from his puppy buddies, I think he did quite well. I was expecting much more yelping, but he seemed quite content. Then 5:00a rolled around and Jamie did the "go outside duty" -- again, just makes me think of those early morning feedings with GG. Speaking of GG, she's ecstatic, and being such a gentle little soul. She's read "Clifford the Small Red Puppy" to Charley," and has helped me out with feeding and watering him.
Charley's a sweet little guy, and it's going to be very exciting to see what life is going to be like from now on with that not-so-familiar pitter-patter.
