introducing...

OK, OK, OK...I'll finally share about our new (old) puppy.

Meet Terra.  Or, as Eden likes to call her "baby puppy".  That has, actually,  kind of become her new name.

That, or "stupid dog"...that really depends on if she's done something like this....

Terra and I have a bit of a love/hate relationship going on right now.  When she's resting in her kennel, as she is right now, it's very easy for me to reflect on how good of a puppy she actually is.  She slept through her first night with us without a peep!  She learned to sit within the first week.  She doesn't bark all the time.  She stays in out yard without wandering too much.  When she outgrows this puppy stage (in three freakin' years) she will be an outstanding pet!   

The hate part (and hate may be too strong of a word) is just due to the typical puppy obnoxiousness.  She wants to chew on EVERYTHING...ALL the time!  And (this part really isn't her fault) those kids of mine who begged and pleaded to get a dog...well, let's just say I hear "it's not my turn" a lot.  They ignore her or scream about her most of the time.  So, the typical story about kids and pets...

sigh.

Thank goodness for Chris.  He opposed the puppy from the get go, but he loves her to pieces and has the most incredible patience with her.  I do hear a lot of "I told you so" comments, though.  And, I must say,  I'm really not very fond of them! :) 

Then we have moments like these...

The kids do love her (as do I) and they're getting better about helping out with her.  Before we know it we won't be able to remember life without her.  She'll be family.  I guess she already is...