(Wo)Man's Best Friend

We're headed over to the West Side for a family reunion this afternoon and when we return, we'll have added another member to our own little family.

For some time now we've been carefully planning, carving out space in our new home, our family and our lives for the newest member. That's right, the HP family is taking the plunge and getting a dog.

We have somehow stumbled upon what I feel like couldn't be a better fit for our family; a friend who has a great, older lab and needed to find a home she felt comfortable with paired with my own lack of interest in having a puppy in a new home or with such small kids. He's gentle, great with kids and a great opportunity to train old Sally on how to be a dog owner. Is he rowdy on the leash? Yes. Is he Clifford the Big Black Dog? You bet. I've never been a small dog person (sorry Coop), so it just feels right. I'm looking forward to the companionship, and having something that forces me to get outside each and every day (in addition to my kids that is) for a nice walk. I would be lying if I didn't admit that I'm also looking forward to the added feeling of security with J's crazy schedule and the very real prospect of deployment.

I've had lots of advice from fellow lab owners on how to control the hair in the house issue, but one of my best friends summed it up for me; you're going to hate the cleaning, but you're going to love him.

Of course, about now I have the same feeling you had when you were nine months pregnant and the cold grip of fear had you in its clutches asking an inch from your face 'WHAT are you thinking?!' But I know what I'm thinking, and I couldn't be more excited. What's one more loud and boisterous boy, after all?! Stay tuned...