Lucky Lucy

Well, we "bit the bullet" (actually, that's a whole other story, so you'll have to e-mail me to get the scoop on that . . .).

We finally bought a dog. Not just any dog, mind you. This is 8 years in the making! Dad has wanted a boxer and to the kids frustration has turned down many a dog opportunity looking for just the right boxer. I do believe "picky-ness" has paid off and Lucy is it.

We drove down south last night to take a look at 3 remaining puppies from a 10-pup litter of full-blood boxers. (poor mom!) They were born July 31st, so they'll be 3 months old next week. Aunt was here when Dad decided to make the trip so she went with us. We actually didn't tell the kids where we were going and they had no idea what we were doing until we walked into the house where the puppies were. You could see light bulbs beginning to turn on in their heads. That was fun!


The puppy on the left is the one Dad was thinking we would get. They had nicknamed her "Zoe" and she was stocky and full of energy. Very full! Mom was more inclined to the "runt" of the litter that was smaller and calmer. The owner (lady in pink) is holding that one - nicknamed "Daisy". She definitely wasn't as filled out and Dad was leary of that because she didn't look as healthy. Although, the owners/breeders had a fantastic place and the mom dog, Zora, was all dolled up with Halloween neck decor when we drove up. We felt great about the owners, the household, the breeding and everything. A little more watching of the puppies at their home, a little more watching the kids with the puppies . . . and the little one had it. Dad decided the "runt" was it. "Daisy" had a new home.


The kids were THRILLED about their new little puppy. The ride home entailed naming agreements and looking for a PetSmart somewhere along the way to stop and get supplies. It was like bringing a new baby home from the hospital with no baby gear! We had to get everything on the way home!

The kids had already been picking names and had somewhat agreed on a boy name and a girl name several months ago. After batting around several other names, they actually agreed on their original girl name of "Lucy". Her official name for her AKC papers is "Lady Lucy" - in honor of Dad's boxer "Lady" that he had when he was a boy. Lucy even has a lot of resemblance to Lady.

After she used her big brown "puppy dog eyes" on Dad at the pet store (I've NEVER seen that work on him with any of the children!!), we got home and tried to get Lucy all settled in. We had succeeded at avoiding any accidents along the way and we tried to get her to go outside to potty since it was bedtime for everyone, but she was so on edge that it took a LONG time for her to produce anything in the backyard.





So much for the new toys we bought last night on the way home. If only we'd known that an old dish towel would be the favorite source of entertainment in the back yard . . .









This boy has NEVER sat still for a picture to be taken. Today he couldn't have it taken enough! We got at least 15 shots like this! If only we'd known that all it would take would be a dog in the picture!







A boy and his dog . . . Poor Lucy hasn't been left alone for 24 hours. Well, I take that back. We did have to leave her in her "house" in the kitchen twice today while we went to soccer and volleyball games. She was so worn out, she slept the entire time we were gone!


Lucy wouldn't lay down last night to sleep once we got everyone settled. Dad remembered

when he brought one of his puppies home when he was a little boy (Domino). He had to sleep right beside the box with the puppy and put his hand in the box all night long. Every time he took his hand out, Domino would start whining. Lucy didn't do any whining - in fact she hadn't even made a peep until her paw got caught in the door just a while ago on her way outside. But, we found a willing little boy who wanted to sleep next to his new buddy and so with pillow and sleeping bag in hand he made his bed next to Lucy for the night. Lucy laid right down and went to sleep. Dad got up a couple of times just to make sure we didn't have any accidents during the night, but other than that it was an unexpectedly peaceful sleep for everyone.


Dad says we may have a new member for the "Digging Club" . . .