"They call it puppy love
Oh, I guess they'll never know
How a young heart really feels
And that's why I love her so
And they call it puppy love . . ."
I think Paul Anka had something else in mind when he sang this song, but meet the newest member of our household . . .
Sophie !!Miss Sophie arrived at our home last Friday and has captured the hearts of everyone in the family, including all of the grandchildren who have stopped in to meet her.
I have been wanting a dog for some time, especially since Youngest Daughter plans to take Coconut with her when she eventually moves out. I had planned to find a dog one day at the Humane Society where Oldest Granddaughter (above) and I volunteer a few times a month. But every time I would find a dog that seemed right for me, it had already been adopted. Last week through a friend of my daughter-in-law's, I found out about a family who wanted to give up their puppy because they simply didn't have the time or energy to take care of her. I went to see her, and it was love at first sight. She came home with me last Friday.
Despite some initial sibling rivalry, Coconut has accepted his new "sister" (or is it "aunt"? If Sophie is MY dog, and Coco is my granddog, then . . . never mind, this is too confusing.) When Coconut came to our house as a puppy, our big dog Roco was still alive, and Older Daughter's pug Odie was here as well. Coconut has been an "only child" for a year and a half now, but occasional canine visitors have ensured that he is a friendly, sociable dog. He has even been kind enough, albeit reluctantly, to share his toys with Sophie. (Please don't tell Daughter I used this picture--she would be appalled. But it was the only photo I could get of Sophie and Coconut together, even if it is a little blurry.) 
Toby, on the other hand, was not so sure about this new arrival. Sophie has made very polite overtures, but Toby has remained wary of her. In the last few days, he's realized that his favorite perch on top of the couch or in a chair is a safe place from which to inspect this energetic pup and to let her know who's really the boss in this household.
Sophie is a Golden Retriever, which, according to my research, is a highly intelligent breed and one that is very good with children. That was number 1 on my list of dog characteristics--I wanted a dog I would feel safe with around the grandchildren. Number 2 was that she had to have brown eyes, because of my dear late Roco who transformed me from a cat person to a dog and cat person:)
When I met Sophie, her previous owner told me she was partially housebroken and crate-trained. Hmmm, well her new surroundings may have caused her to revert to old habits. We're working on both of them . . . I did expect that as a puppy, she would be a chewer and be a little destructive. Mary recently did a post about redecorating her bedroom and needing to replace her dog-worn bedding. Well, Mary, do you remember when Bella and Chloe were puppies??
Despite having a whole basket of toys, Sophie finds newspapers and bath net scrubbers much more fun to play with. My vacuum sweeper is getting quite a workout:) We needed to replace all the carpeting in the house anyway, especially that ugly green family room carpeting in the first photo and the crazy chartreuse in the office, both of which I've wanted to tear out since we moved here. Sophie is helping me convince my husband of this by gnawing at any loose threads and edges, but it would probably be a smart idea to wait a few months before spending the money.
Aw, gee, with a face like this, how can you get mad at her for a few spots or holes in the carpet??
Happiness is a warm puppy.--Charles M. Schulz
