Mama's Memories for M: A Whole Lotta Puppy Spam (and a couple other things)

Mali ~

So, I guess I should clear up that cliff-hanger I left you with last month, huh? Haha. Well, in a nutshell...we got a puppy. What? A puppy. Oh wow. *face palm*

Yes, 6 months after we said our goodbyes (for now) to our sweet, beloved Abby, we finally felt ready to consider getting another dog. We found this particular dog because a friend who fosters rescues shared a picture of her latest foster and the instant I saw it, her smile reminded me of Abby. I took it as a sign and immediately messaged her to ask about her new pup and everything happened quite fast after that. Her name was originally Phoebe but we have since changed it to Grizz (Grizzly Adams Wilkinson, to be exact). Her mother is border collie/husky mix and her father is unknown. She's an interesting mix of breeds (many a mystery based on her appearance), looking a little like a bear cub, a wolf, a goat (even sounding like one when she yawns!) and many other animals depending on the angle. Her disposition is just the sweetest. We brought her home around 8 weeks old at the beginning of April (much younger than I expected for our next dog) and she's been doing pretty well adjusting to her new home. I'd say her adjustment is actually going slightly better than our adjustment to having a rambunctious untrained puppy in the home is going. (So much energy and such sharp teeth!) But we're all making it through and her sweetness makes up for her orneriness (most of the time).

Her homecoming actually was delayed a bit because they found she had parvo on the same day we were driving to Niagara Falls last month. Our friend (Sarah) had to rush her to the vet and then Med Vet where she stayed overnight. Then she was on medications and had to be quarantined for a while so her body could safely shed the virus without infecting any other young, un-vaccinated dogs. We also found out she had hookworm (oy!), so the first few weeks she was home were just a barrel of monkeys! Diarrhea galore! Ayiyi!

Anyway...without further ado...here is a *giant* amount of puppy spam of her first few weeks in our home. Isn't she just the cutest?

you got her crate ready, even putting our family picture
outside the door in case she got lonely

and here you are...carrying Grizz into her new home!

you're both asleep

actually, all *three* of you are asleep

that belly is full of puppy chow

here GG and I are discussing the best way for him
to get Grizz to stop chewing on his head

and...clearly our methods aren't working...poor kitty chew toy

just look at that face though...

I wonder how long I'll be able to hold
both at the same time...?

passed...out...

her smile looks so much like Abby's

discovering the yummy smells of the trash can

passed...out...again

playing in the leaves with big sister Suzy

double trouble...begging for treats

playpen time!

I couldn't help myself...

Easter costume for Grizz...

and GG...who is clearly thrilled

spoiled

using my shoulder as a seat to look out the window

one of the first snuggle sessions I've had with
Pip since Grizz came home...I think she missed me

laying on the stairs exactly where Abby
used to like to sit and keep an eye on things

And now for a brief intermission in your puppy spam to interrupt for Easter. Ha. Oh yeah...there *was* that holiday this month too! Here are some photos of our celebration(s).

coloring Easter eggs and painting Easter egg
Rice Krispie treats with Ana

leaving purple(!) carrots for the Easter Bunny

your note to the EB...so sweet

refusing to go downstairs to hunt for eggs
until Lao Lao comes down to our house

Lao Lao is finally here and loving on Suzy first

she helped you find *all* of your eggs!
we're so lucky she can share in all of these
special moments with our family

the basket of goodies

I made you both special Easter Bunny eggs and bacon

then you returned the favor and made Daddy breakfast
all on your own since he had to work all day

he loved your breakfast for him!

We also headed to Memaw and Papaw's for our Wilkinson Easter celebration and you were so happy to see your cousins.

we didn't get a big group photo of everyone...but at least
we got all the (big and little) grands

And now...back to puppy spam! Haha.

I am now calling you "The Dog Whisperer"...

see what I mean?

and the cats are so irritated by the new puppy, they are
finally bonding with each other by sharing this dog bed

taking Grizz on her first walk in her new neighborhood

pretty little thing...so striking!

And to wrap up this month...there *were* a few other things that didn't involve a puppy. No, really. I promise. Ha.

my beautiful bluebells were back again

we took you to a middle school (gulp) orientation-ish
evening...and you were so happy with me for taking
this picture of you with your friends...can't you tell?