what do people do ...

Dilemma.

HUGE dilemma.

A bit of panic has set in.

I am going to see my sister the 9th through the 15th of February in Orlando Florida.  Sounds like fun, eh?  A nice warm break from chilly, rainy/snowy Ohio weather, right?  We are staying in the Presidential Suite at The Fountains in Orlando.  Sweet right?  Oh, go look at the site,  You'll see what I mean. 

www.bluegreenonline.com

Go to the Fountains and check out the photos.  P R E S I D E N T I A L Suite!  Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, 4 TVS, gourmet kitchen, recreation room with pool table and dart board, outdoor grilling kitchen, I mean it is the BOMB!!  I was so excited when I booked the suite for my sister and some of her working pals and then got invited to join them.  I'll relax by the pool, read, nap, whatever I want for 5 1/2 days and gear up for our annual ski trip the 16th - 20th of February to Boyne Mountain in Michigan.  I mean, can you say the perfect life?? 

So what is the problem???

the problem ....

My PWD baby - Charlie

I can not leave him for that long!!!  I just can't.  I am already having small panic attacks about leaving him.  Seriously. 

So what do people do when they get a puppy and have vacations already scheduled?  I truly could stay home.  I could.  I even want to stay home.

But ...

the airline tickets are bought,
the reservations are made,
people are depending on me. 

BUT ...
I can not leave my baby.  I LOVE him soooo much!  Just look at him, how can I leave him, even for a couple hours???  Let alone 5 1/2 days??!!

So stinking cute!!!

The Search

Good Sunday to all!  We have been enjoying the beautiful snowfall and puppy walks.  I (we) am SO excited with our new family addition Charlie!  He is so much fun, but man are those puppy nibbles HARD to take when he is in his retriever mode.  

Did I mention Charlie is from Massachusetts?  Yep.  I had been looking and looking for a Portuguese Water Dog.  Frankly, looking for months after seeing one on robynstorydesigns blog.  Her dog just had me at first sight.  Yes, love at first sight.  I started my search locally.  No luck.  Look, look, look.  And then one night at 3am in the middle December I saw a listing for Charlie.  Male, brown, soft curls, green eyes and great health.  He was spoken for by another family, but it didn't work out for them.  I emailed, and emailed and finally the call came.  The breeder interviewed me.  I was a nervous wreck.  What if she didn't like me?  What if I answered a question wrong?  Oh man, just pick ..... ME ME ME.  Pick ME! 

But then it took a little convincing to get Vandy on board.  And on the 4th of January he said YES!  But, it wasn't a firm yes until the 5th.  So that night, after talking to Phyllis the breeder, we checked out air transportation.  We could get a direct flight from Boston to Cleveland.  We live in Enon, three house south of Cleveland.  WOW, a big commitment. Things got messy and I thought Vandy would no way got for all this.  PWD's are expensive.  Very EXPENSIVE.  Then an airfare for a puppy ... you will never believe it.  One way = $245.00!!!  Yicks. 

Anyway, finally late Thursday night we got it all worked out.  I was glowing more than a new bride!  More than we are having our first baby news. So it was decided, Addie would drive with me to Cleveland to pick up Charlie.  We were so excited, it was very difficult not to get a speeding ticket.  AND we all know, I could not afford a speeding ticket! We arrived home from Cleveland and a pit stop at Petsmart with our new puppy safe and sound. 

We have had Charlie for 8 days now and I am still in love.  My hands, toes, and other body parts are punctured, as well as 2 kick balls, 3 flip flops, and numerous other household objects.  It's all good.  We are getting use to the raw chicken drumsticks he gets every other day.  It's gross, I'll admit it, but healthy and good for his handsome coat. 



Charlie enjoys his first Ohio snow!

 I have lost 5 pounds as well.  Who would have thought it.  Charlie gets me off the couch three times a day for our walks, not to mention all the other games we play.  I'll keep you posted on the results!!