There are dog people and non-dog people. Then there are the dog-phobic and the dog-devoted.
I am admittedly a member of the latter. Please see my
Pinterest Puppiness board! So much fun!!
As a kid, I always wanted a dog. Saba and Savta, who had previously had a dog (who had to be adopted out when she kept using UM as a chew toy), went the proverbial "when you are an adult and have your own house, you can get a dog."
When I met Trip'n Daddy, he had a dog. A monster Akita named "Sad Eyes." I admit he made me nervous. He was big. He was tough looking. And he was a
tiny bit jealous of me. My heart broke for Trip'n Daddy when he had to be put down, but I didn't really get it. The only pet I had ever lost was a couple of fish and a pair of white mice.
After being married for 4 years, we finally decided to take the plunge and get a puppy of our own. I researched breeds and breeders and we found our Nili (AKA "Trouble"). I could write pages and pages of Nili stories. She has been, and continues to be, a source of unconditional love, laughs, frustration, pride, and joy. She is a member of our family and has been dutifully vigilant in her role of Master Comfort Giver, President of Licking, and CEO of Cuddling.
 |
| One of my favorite Nili pics I call "Tutu Much Silliness" |
 |
| Did someone say "Chicken?" |
 |
| After a tough day of Purim crime fighting |
While pregnant with the Trips, I was on bed rest for 12 weeks. Nili was by my side for every moment or cuddled under my belly. She was thrilled when the Trips came home and relished her new jobs as protector, face cleaner, and under the highchair vacuum. When Trip'n Daddy was so sick from chemo, Nili was found cuddled at his knees. Even now, at almost 10 years old and having suffered the indignity of being shipped to this new, dusty, mountainous place, she is there for me in my nighttime breakdowns, licking away my tears, tolerating my hugs, and serving as a heating pad in the freezing Neve Daniel nights.
 |
| I love it when she sleeps like this |
 |
| Most recent Nili picture |
So when my close friend, D, approached me with the possibility that her Peke, Coco, miiiiight be pregnant, I had this funny feeling that we would be getting a new dog. Then, when Coco had trouble delivering and I drove her and D to the vet in Ma'ale Adumim for a C-Section, it was pretty much guaranteed.
I know that there are those of you our there who are having the same response as
MrsS, and I quote "You need to have your head examined!"
But there really is something to puppy love. And love is something we need a lot of around here. You have to see the Trips (and me) cuddling this little bundle of fur to fully appreciate how restorative it can be.
So, I am proud to introduce our "Sabra." We are puppy-sitting for her and her Mommy for a few weeks and can already see how much she is going to add to our lives.
 |
| Trying Mommy's food for the first time |
 |
| Taking over Nili's bed |
 |
| Sabra in a bucket |
) knew how to do this, I asked, "Where did you learn that?"
CD. The CD features short vignettes based on different episodes from the first season of 
What you can't see in the picture is that they have a spout. So when turned upside down, they look like little igloos. I decorated the outsides with snowflake stickers and glued a little penguin figurine at the "entrance." Inside were penguin cookies, snow caps, and I can't remember what else, but it had to do with cold and ice.
bar (These will make an encore appearance in #9.) 
but A LOT cheaper! Thanks Amazing Savings!) Inside was baby carrots, a little baby bottle filled with candy, Three Musketeers, and other things punning three or baby. 
She's going to have to share it, but I think after the initial novelty wears off, that won't be a problem. If it is a really big hit, their birthday is just around the corner. Funny, 
is a great game for Shabbos and came recommended by another parent. It's always good to have something to help them burn all that extra energy (x3!!!) and 
seems like just the thing!
for each of them filled with all their favorites like Uncle Moishe, Sandra Boyton, YBC, Sesame Street, Laurie Berkner, Ralph's World (like B could live without 
for C, and little 
for the girls. I am happy to report that I paid 
and 
.
that seem perfect for a plane ride as crawling after rolling crayons is a worse prospect than cards! Luckily, I had some sort of prophetic moment and put them away, and now they are available and intact for us to take on the plane. I bought cheap coloring books and small sketch pads for each of them.
and 
for each of them.
, B her 
, C his 
