Waiting for babies

Found here

Sam and I have wanted to get a dog for a long time now. The house is just too quiet without having little wiggly, furry bodies buzzing around us. Otis is good but only so far as his feline dignity allows him to move past proper decorum. So we thought maybe we'd get a puppy. After sifting through all the breeds available, and trying to decide what our miniscule yard could provide for exercise opportunities, we ruled out Great Danes (very sadly, I might add) or any other large breed of dog. But we came across Cockapoo dogs: a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a small size poodle. Poodles, as you may know, are the most intelligent of all dog breeds. They also do not shed and are lovely little dogs. But a bit too fru fru for me. I will not be the type of pet owner that buys little matching sweaters for dog and owner, or who paints their nails pink. I would like an intelligent yet loyal and fun-loving dog. I've always wanted to have a schnauzer, but Sam thinks they look like mean little, yappy dogs. He's turned off by their eyebrows and beards. What about a schnoodle? He doesn't like that, either. Then we came across these little dogs.

Found here

One of my students has a 3-month old cockapoo that is all black and had been enjoying long sleepy naps in her satchel (in my class!) I didn't even know she had this puppy until one day it whimpered and her cover was blown. I called Sam right away at work and asked him to drop by my class on his way home. If I could just get him to hold one, it would be all over. I did, and it was.

That very night he called the same breeder that my student's dog came from and put our name on the list to be notified when they arrived.

But how could we get a puppy only to leave it alone for 9 hours at a time? One of my concerned students suggested that we do what she did: buy two of them and they will keep each other company. Terrific idea. So we are on the waiting list for a copper colored puppy and a black or brindle puppy. We hear that the females are possessive and temperamental, so both will be male. Sam's girls are ecstatic that they will have puppies to cuddle when they visit, and we are too. Especially when the breeder called to tell us that they will begin the breeding process next month and we should have our puppy ready to bring home no later than mid-July. These dogs make excellent therapy animals. Perhaps I will get mine and put them through obedience training for a year, as is required, and then have them join me in therapy. My student took her puppy to a school (with the principle's permission) and worked with a little boy who had quit talking due to some kind of distress at home. When Meli climbed into his lap, he started talking to her and petting her, even asking questions about what kind of dog she was, etc. He was an entirely different child. I think this might be a great use for a dog, in addition to cheering our hearts.

Now while we wait, I'm thinking about puppy names. I always wanted a Great Dane named Fiona, (roll your eyes, Sam!) but that will not happen until we have a house in the country at retirement. For now, Baxter, Buoso, and Fritz sound like good possibilities. What do you think?