Call It Puppy Love

Tonight I met my new best friend.

Hayley ventured with me down near Fort Carson to see that litter of dachshund puppies. I knew there was 1 boy and 2 girls, but I hadn't seen any pictures or anything. I was delighted to discover they are longhaired dachshunds--very pretty little animals, and supposed to be the sweetest of the dachshund variations because of the spaniel in their blood.

The little boy was a beautiful brown color with other colors mixed in (brindle, I think it's called?), and then there were two little black girl puppies, one with a splash of white on her chest and one that was solid black. Hayley and I sat on the couch as the puppies came into the room. I scooped up the little boy and she scooped up one of the girls. The little girl left behind ran around our feet whining until I scooped her up too (which took me about 2 seconds, don't worry!).

It's hard to get a good pic of puppies because they move so much!!

I asked some questions about the puppies' personalities. They said the boy was very playful and so was one of the girls, but the smallest girl was mild like her dad. Guess which one I immediately was the most interested in? :) Of course the two girls looked so similar, I'm not sure the one I picked in the end was the one they were talking about.

The sellers left to give us some privacy. We set the puppies on the ground and played with them. The little boy wasn't much interested in us. He was running around the room exploring on his own, a very independent puppy but perhaps not the cuddly lovebug I am looking for. The two sisters took turns climbing into my lap and Hayley's lap. One sister was a little more hyperactive than the other (the girl with the splash of white). The solid black puppy was more content to just cuddle with me, although she did run around and play with the others.

It was SO hard to pick. I think I spent half an hour watching them and feeling hopelessly smitten with them all. But in the end, I decided on my little cuddle buddy.

While I was filling out the paper work, the seller started to put them away, but then she brought back my puppy and put her in my arms. "I'll let you say goodbye." So I snuggled her for a minute and it really started sinking in... she's going to be mine. If she lives as long as Max, she'll be in my life until my mid-forties. I told her, "I'm gonna be your best friend!" And it will be true.

She was born on December 18, and she'll be ready to come home with me around Valentine's Day. I am planning on picking her up on February 19, after I get back from my trip to Melissa's wedding.

I've missed having a dog so much! I'm excited to have that in my life again. Now, I just need to decide what to name her...

One Step Closer

I'm going tomorrow night!

We'll see how this goes. Maybe I'll snap back to my senses at some point... but after just missing out on lovely little Molly I jumped on this ad like a crazy lady.

I tell myself I'm just going to check them out but let's be real... once I see those sweet little puppy faces I'll be a goner. I'll keep you posted!

Puppy Dreams

Confession: I almost got a puppy today.

I've been watching the Humane Society and Craigslist pages for weeks, even though I know I should wait until I've got my own place and I'm in a more stable position.

Well, last night someone posted an adorable little dachshund puppy named Molly. They said that she was really sweet and friendly with everyone. They couldn't keep her because they already had a German Shepherd and their landlord told them they could only have one dog.

Just look at that sweet little face!

I got as far as emailing AND texting to ask if I could come see her, knowing full well that if I did, I'd bring her home. They said, "Hey, yeah." And then I hesitated.

I kept reminding myself that if I got Molly and she lived as long as Max, I'd have her well into my forties, and who knows what would happen during that time? What if my husband or kids ended up being allergic? Or what if the guy I'm going to marry already has a dog that doesn't get along with her? My life is so busy, I asked myself if I really had time for a puppy.

While I was struggling with all this for about an hour, the ad disappeared off Craigslist, and I realized I'd missed my shot. I still texted asking when a good time would be, and the woman said she'd been adopted by a loving elderly couple. I was pretty disappointed and a little bit mad at myself, but... to be fair, I don't think it would have made a difference if I texted back earlier. I was planning on going to see her after work, and that couple would have beat me!

It's a tough dog market in Colorado Springs! Dogs get snatched up from the Humane Society in a few days, the rescues I'm following seem to get slammed with applicants for a lot of their dogs, and Craigslist turns over fast...

But, this is all for the best. I'm really not in a good place to get a dog!

I think I am officially banning myself from looking at dogs anymore. I'm at the brink of caving in.

Disney New Year's Resolution

This seems about right. :) What's yours? 

Heavenly Social Media

Today has been a hard day for me.

But twice today now in the midst of my sadness, I've gone on to Facebook and lo and behold, one of the Church pages has posted something that seems like it's just for me.

Some might say that's a coincidence. But I believe in tender mercies--the Lord reaches out to us in little ways to help carry us through life. I'm sure I'm not the only one who needed these messages today, but I did need them, and Heavenly Father made sure I checked Facebook at the right moments to see them.

Cougar Migration

Well, the day of the great Cougar Migration arrived, and Jason and Kristie headed back to BYU. It's crazy how empty the house feels without them, even though it wasn't that long ago they were both off on missions.

It's weird too hearing about their new roommates and classmates and courses. That was my life for 6 years! Provo was my life for 9. Hearing about their new adventures makes me a little heartsick for the good old days and the ways things used to be. BYU and Provo were part of my life for such a long time... By the end I started to believe things would never change.

But at the same time, I have moved on. And that's weird too. I've built a new life out here in Colorado Springs. I've reconnected with family and friends here. I had some great building experiences in my Provo wards and I loved them to death, but here in the Springs where there are fewer active members I've felt needed in a way I didn't there. I've faced new challenges and opportunities here and I've grown and changed so much.

Life is a crazy thing. It's only now, pushing 30, that I'm really understanding how very long it is and how much happens by the end. It'll be interesting to see what adventures come my way next. I am house shopping right now and looking for a dog (okay, I'm being more diligent about looking for a dog than looking for a house). I'm taking a step back and looking at my career and trying to figure out if I'm happy with the status quo, or if I need a change, or another degree (did I make the wrong call deciding I didn't want to go back for my PhD)? I've picked the next place I want to go to on my bucket list (Hawaii!) and I'm trying to lock down plans for that, preferably plans that coincide with my 30th birthday.

One of the things I miss most about my BYU days is that it was always so easy to see the next step ahead. Take these classes, do an internship, take the GRE, write a thesis. Life after college is so much messier and uncertain. I guess that's all part of the excitement of the journey.