A Puppy For Max

We are finally giving in.  Max has begged for a dog for years and we have always said no.  We know who would really take care of him, right?  (me!)  For a few years having an outdoor cat sufficed as a pet, even though in our experience you don't really play with a cat like you do a dog.  (no offense cat lovers)  Our kitty didn't want much to do with us unless we were giving her food.

I have been researching dogs for a while… I landed on a labradoodle or goldendoodle.  Both are intelligent, easily trained (they better be!), low shedding, and great family dogs.  (we hope)  I had contacted a labradoodle breeder in Cincinnati and was getting ready to send in a deposit when an acquaintance posted images of her new goldendoodle online.  I inquired.  The breeder is in Xenia (we can visit every week!) and the puppies will be available on July 25, right after Junior Olympics and the last day of swim practice for a month!  It was perfect timing.  Fate even.

Chris and I visited while Max was in school last week to make sure we were really going to do this.  Oh, once you are there and see the puppies you can't say no.  So we put our deposit down, took a ton of pics, and surprised Max with the news when he got home from school.

This week the puppies are 2 weeks old and I took Max for a visit.  We have two boys on hold and will have to choose soon.  We are waiting to see what their coats look like and if they start showing any personality traits.  Max has already picked out a name.  Flip Turner Christensen.  (named for all the flip turns he does every day in practice)  He will be called Flip, of course.  :)

Here are some photos of the day Max and Flip met.  Max was a little timid, just like he always is around dogs, but I know they will grow to be great friends.  I'm seriously worried about keeping the new house clean (a new house and a new dog?  People think I'm crazy… am I?) but I have to believe the love and life experience will prove to be much more important than a perfectly tidy home.