puppy!

We did it; we got a puppy! No one is happier in the whole world than Levi now. We've been wishing and dreaming of having a puppy since Nathan got back from deployment. We've been discussing the pros and cons of the timing. It was not a question of whether we should get one or not, but when. We are having a new baby real soon, so that will be crazy. But, we also want him to be a dog and not a puppy anymore when Nathan has to go on his next deployment. So, with that in his mind, Nathan began searching online for breeders in the area. When he started doing that I pretty much knew it was over. He starts researching, and things start happening. He set up an time to go "look" at a litter last Friday and obviously that was the end. We are not going to look at Golden Retriever puppies and walk away without buying one. So, Friday morning Levi got his puppy.
We had to drive about 45 minutes or so to the breeders house, so when we left with him, I sat in the back with Levi so he didn't have to part with his new best friend. Levi had already informed the dog that he was his friend forever.

We found a PetCo on the way home to get puppy supplies. Always a fun trip. Especially when you can take the puppy in with you!
Picking out a collar is a pretty big job and decision. My suggestions were, of course, refused. Levi ended the debate by saying that "the red one is blutiful"
He's just about the cutest puppy ever. The puppy that every person wants, I think. When we went to check the litter out, we got to see the mama too, of course. It was just a family who decided to breed their golden retriever, like my family did a few times when I was younger with our Fox Terrier. The mommy dog was so sweet and calm. She just walked around, playing with the pups and sitting by her humans. She would come up to me or Nathan and just very gently and sweetly nudge or hand with her head. And then she would sit calmly as we pet her. Very encouraging for what the litter will grow into. All the puppies were excited to see us, but so calm compared to the many litters I've experienced.
This is Levi's impatient and doubtful face as he's hearing over and over again that sometimes he does have to let the puppy sleep.
no words are really needed

I've taken so many pictures in the last few days. But each one is precious and necessary! I mean, come on. How do I not publish this?

Levi is his favorite person. He seeks him out above the two of us. When Levi is in bed for the night, Charlie (relatively certain that is his final name) is disturbed by his absence.

There's allot of this going on this weekend.
This is how the playing starts....
continues to get lower...
until it ends with a dog pile of kisses and rolling.


Charlie had to have a bath, of course. Levi had to assist Papa. Charlie didn't flip out like all of our previous puppies have. He would prefer to not have water poured on his head, but he's okay with it.

My job is to dry the bathed puppy.
I have a picture very very similar to this with Pippin about 6 years ago.

Levi and Charlie watching a movie on Papa's laptop together. "The Fox and the Hound"

Levi's pretty content. We have to tell Levi not to do various things to Charlie, like hit him with his toy plane or sit on his head, but they really are doing very fine together. They go into his room to play or just run in circles around the couch chasing each other. Even the times that we reprimand Levi for something, Charlie really doesn't care what he's doing. Very revealing of what kind of adult dog he'll be, I think.
Happy Together



Nathan's pretty upset with me for getting him this sweater. But, it's Christmas-y and it's cold and he's cute! He shivers every time we take him out at night. What else would I do?
So that's our new puppy. The perfect little Golden Retriever dream dog. He seems like a great find so far. He has not pottied in the house or even tried to at all. Not even once! He whines when he needs outside, and then he gets it over with. He's sleeping on our floor for now at night until he's old enough to sleep with Levi. He whines a little but ultimately lasts the night on his own. The only foreseeable problem is that he does want to chew on everything. All of levi's abandoned toys and all the shoes! That can be handled though. He seems perfect so far. And he's oh so very cute. Levi loves him and is very happy.