Ode to Auto

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." - Gene Hill



Here he is....our new pup ...Auto. :) It is about time that he get an official tribute because he is the new love of our lives. So here is my Ode to Auto:



I have to admit it definitely was love at first sight with this guy because all it took was one little look at that face staring up at me to know we were going to be best friends. And I know Eddie felt the same because we both looked at each other and it was over....he was our guy. :) So then the hard part, we had to wait 2 long weeks before we could take him home because he was such a teeny baby still. But finally our day arrived and we swooped him up and haven't let him go since!

Now this might sound a little crazy (unless you are a dog lover yourself) but as I held him in my arms on the way home, he just kept staring up at me, right into my eyes, and I couldn't take my eyes away from his either (which was kind of a problem with the combination of my motion sickness and Eddie's driving Ha Ha) but then suddenly there was this moment where I think he realized...Oh you're my Mommy! It is like it all became clear to him and he suddenly realized and trusted that I was going to love him forever. And then he relaxed. :) Now I know that might sound a little out there, but I truly believe it because I felt it in my core. And we have been in love ever since! So then there was three... :)



So since then, we have had many many adventures...some more fun than others. As far as puppies go, anyone who has had one knows that the amount of love they give you almost measures up to the amount of clean up, chasing and sleep loss you get. But even when you are stepping barefoot in a surprise puddle of pee , while looking for a missing slipper, then stumbling across your favorite sandals (no longer recognizable or functional) all while running on 3 hours of sleep, none of it seems to matter when that little face sees you and acts as though nothing in this world could possibly make him happier than you. Then it all becomes worth it.



We have had all kinds of new firsts with Auto. Some for us some for him. First toys, first tricks, first walks, first vet visits, but here Auto made his first friend...Venice.




Its amazing how quickly they learn and grow. Sometimes I get home from work and look at him and realize he got bigger while I was gone! Just since I saw him that morning, he has already changed! Its just incredible! It won't be too long before he is a dog and not a puppy anymore.






So here we are...from a peeny little baby to a 4 month old. He is starting to look like a dog and already weighs 25 lbs!!

His ears are like wild satellites!! They go in all kinds of directions and change depending on his mood. When he is riled up during the day they are on high alert just like this and cross in the middle going in all kinds of directions. But later at night, we always know when he is losing his energy because they slowly start to fall to the side and get low. So when they finally lay down low to the side and he falls asleep, we know he is done for the night. So funny!!

So our latest and greatest adventure just happened yesterday when we decided to go on our first trip to the dog park. So my Mom with her dog Bogie, Melissa with Venice, and me with Auto got all set to take our pups on a walk to the dog park. As we set out on our way, I was feeling pretty good about my puppy as he was trotting along really well and copying the other dogs and for the most part listening to everything I told him to do. Until...we got to the oh so crowded dog park...

So they have 2 sections, one for big dogs and one for small dogs. As I looked at the clientele, I suddenly realized he didn't belong in either area! He was way too small to be frolicking with the big giant labs & pit bulls and way too big to run with the little hamsters they considered to be small dogs. So I made a quick decision and decided we would try the small dog area for his first time. Boy was that a mistake! As soon as we got in there he mowed over 3 wiener dogs and some kind of gerbil looking fluff ball!! Needless to say the owner's were not happy and I got the feeling we weren't so welcome when everyone started scooping up their pups to protect them. So we cut our play time short and I wrangled Auto back out of there. But then he got himself so excited about his big trip that he proceeded to throw up all over the concrete right in front of the entrance and exit to both big and small dog areas. Oh geeze....

So it turns out we have the throw up dog at the park...guess we won't be going back there for awhile. Maybe we'll wait until he gets bigger and isn't so easily recognized. So needless to say we cut our fun short and had to round up the troops to head back home early.

So a not so successful trip to the dog park is added to our list of firsts. :)

But all in all, every day and everything we do with him makes us love him more and more. He is the most wonderful creature and brings so much life to our already lively house and marriage. I never thought anything could make Eddie and I happier with each other than we already are, but he truly does complete us. We have found our soul puppy!!!

So when my new rug is coming apart string by string due to a certain someone's puppy teeth, my couch and clothes are covered in dog hair, their are muddy paw prints on the freshly swiffered kitchen floor and I'm standing outside in my pajamas at 5 am on a Saturday because he supposedly has to potty but all we seem to be accomplishing is a belly rub....all I can do is smile and think....Life Happens. :)