Expanding Our Family

There comes a time in every marriage when the couple must ask themselves, how much longer is it going to be just the two of us? Hubby came to me last week and told me he was feeling ready to take the next big step ...

and get a puppy!!!!

I grew up with a Bichon and have been dying to have a another dog around ever since mine passed away in 2003. Hubby has never had a dog before, and is feeling excited, but nervous at the same time. He just doesn't know what to expect. I cannot wait to have a dog, but I know that raising a puppy is going to be a LOT of responsibility. We *may* have found our perfect puppy, and we are going to go to the breeder's house on Saturday. The pup is only 4 weeks old right now, so we wouldn't be taking him home just yet. We are going to visit and see if he is the little man for us! There is only 1 male left in the liter, so I am hoping nobody claims him by Saturday!

I cannot wait to bring a little puppy into our house and give him a great home! We have a LOT of preparing to do- must "puppy-proof" the house (so much to buy, so many pairs of shoes to hide). I am excited for all the little things- buying him his bowl and his leash, getting him his first toys. I can't wait for puppy cuddles and puppy kisses! The training is what I'm of course most nervous for. I potty-train children at work all the time, how hard could it be to do the same for a dog? How quickly do dogs learn? I am hoping he will be trained enough to bring him down the shore with us this summer (to a relative's house) and also trained enough that my parents may consider dog-sitting in August. Realistic?

OK, getting ahead of myself. First need to get the puppy ... hopefully Saturday goes well!