What set the wheels in motion was a late night visitor who rifled through our vehicles a few weeks back. I told D one of the best security features we could own would be a dog. I didn't think by the end of the day that we'd have one, but that's what happened!
Darius had mentioned the Blue Heeler breed to me before, and I had turned it down because I found out they were a working dog and needed lots and lots of exercise...and let's be honest, we're not the laziest family, but I think we tip the scale in that direction. I didn't think I would be down for giving that type of dog the exercise she would need, but then I got to thinking that maybe she was exactly the kind of breed we needed to give us the motivation to get off our butts and exercise more. She will challenge us, and I see that as a good thing.
We found our new family member from a woman in Garland which is north of Brigham City & Tremonton, and we had a good feeling that that was the right area of the state to get a good healthy Heeler. We all drove up in terrible weather with an address written on a note card but no other directions. Darius called the woman and got directions to a yellow house with a big yellow school bus parked out front. Turns out that the note card I had wrote down the address on was one I had used for the boys schooling. After getting the directions we found the word "yellow" written in yellow marker on the back of the card. We felt it was a good sign that we were in the right place.
Turns out the family selling the puppies knew my Grandpa Harry and my Uncle Leonard, and I considered that to be another good sign. There were two female puppies left in a litter of eight, and D knew right away which one he wanted. It took me a little longer, but I agreed with him and the boys....well after a few minutes of puppy play they were more interested in the house and if there were any toys to play with. We also got to meet the puppies' parents, and after seeing what good looking dogs they were, I felt really good about out decision.
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| The size difference between Lucy and Ulli is pretty comical, but they're really good with each other. Lucy is (mostly) fearless with him, and Ulli is very patient and gentle with her. They're going to be great friends. :) |
We weren't in any hurry to name our little girl, but D did mention the name Lucy at the beginning and even after running down a list of other names, we all agreed that Lucy seemed to fit her best. It's very much like having a potty-training kid all over again, but she's doing so well and really seems to be happy here with us. Her favorite family member is clearly D. She makes the most pitiful sound when he comes home and is so excited to see him that she usually pees herself, and I'm sure it doesn't hurt that he works for a steakhouse and brings her home delicious bones.
We're all in love with her, and I'm looking forward to seeing how her personality develops more as she gets older, and for the dynamic that she'll bring to our family.
