The gates are up

The bowls are down

The toys are ready. We are in full puppy mode.

Saturday morning and everyone is still asleep upstairs. The house is quiet except for the gentle whirring of the dryer in the next room. It's chilly again this morning and I am resisting the urge to turn the heat back on. We have had some bizarre weather over the past week. Temps in the eighties. One day our upstairs got so hot that Jim turned the ac on for a short while....IN MARCH! Things are greening up. The daffodils are in full bloom as is the forsythia. The air is fresh and fragrant. As my Daddy used to say..."Spring has sprung, the grass has riz...I wonder where the birdies is?"
These are our last few days with an only dog, and although we are excited to welcome Hazel, I am agonizing about what this will do to my meek and mild Tofu. So, I am making her last few days as an only dog as good as it can get for a dog. Lots of belly rubs and ear scratches. Walks outside in the beautiful weather. Extra chewy treats and yummy people food dinners, like turkey meatballs one night and steak bits with sweet potatoes another. As I write this she is here in the chair with me. Always by my side. My loyal friend. The other night I drove Zach's dinner to him at work and scooped up Tofu for the quick ride. She sat in the passenger seat, so calm and good. Every once in a while she would put her front paws up on the arm rest so that she could see where we were going. The car window was open, but she is too little to stick her head out. Just her eyes can peek over to watch what is passing by. I thought right then that I have been blessed to have been loved by a few dogs in my life (Tinkerbell, Misty, Daisy, Maude) but Tofu is the sweetest of them all, the perfect pup, the perfect fit for us.
My dream is that she and Hazel will become buddies. That after Zach has tired Hazel out with walks and playing she will look to snuggle up with Tofu in her bed. I pray that she will be sweet with Tofu and not be a puppy bully. I couldn't bear it if Tofu goes back to hiding behind Jim's chair.
I just heard the creak of floorboards above me and I want to make breakfast for Jim and Zach, so I have to close for now. Have a great weekend!

I woke up to a sunny day here in Ct. I plan on being 100% homemaker today. The entire house needs a good going over, but I will only tackle the downstairs. That will take the better part of the day. I picked up some beautiful strip steaks at the market and so we will have a hearty meal later on. It will stay light out longer as we turned the clocks back last night. I have a nice long day stretched out before me. Yip!
Yesterday morning we drove out to Branford and had a nice long visit with our pup. It was so hard not to put her in my pocket and take her home. The breeder has decided to keep them for 9 weeks instead of 8. Her vet told her that 8-10 weeks is ideal for puppies to leave the nest, but closer to 10 weeks is better. For their emotional health. I want whatever will make Hazel a happy girl, but Zachary is bitterly disappointed. 3 more weeks. Hazel is living in a little cottage by the sea, she sleeps in a large crate with her brother and sisters in a sunny cluttered kitchen with a view to die for. Her owner is the sweetest lady, who kisses each one on the head as she lifts them out of their crate. Staying there another week can only do her good!
Last night, revved up with puppy excitement, Zachary and I made a trip to Petsmart to get some essentials for our little girl. Zachary bought a crate, treats, and toys. I bought bowls, and toys. I want to get a basket for her toys for the family room. I can't wait to see her drag her toys all around the house. To come home to puppy toys underfoot. Tofu has never had any interest in toys so we cannot wait for puppy playtime. She is already chasing after mini tennis balls! Yesterday the puppies were running and tackling each other and Jim made some comment to the breeder. Hazel stopped in her tracks and sat her little puppy butt right down and watched Jim. She cocked her head to the side the way dogs do when they are really concentrating. Hers sibs just kept on roughhousing. She is very smart, our little Hazelnut.
This is Hazel's backyard. Those are the Thimble islands. She is breathing that salty air 24/7. Lucky girl!

PUPPIES!!!

There's our girl.

The puppies are all fascinated with untying shoelaces. They stick with it until the laces on both shoes are completely untied.

Zach scooped her up and she was content to snuggle for a few minutes...

and then wanted back into the action!

Sweety!