In 53 hours we'll be on our way to pick up the new pup - but who's counting?
Her "adult" sized collar and coordinating lead (both embroidered with her name and the subject of much consideration for color, style, length and width) have been shipped and are on the way. The package will join the ever-growing "new stuff for Lily" stack the cats have been warily circling.
We're taking the "baby" collar Duke grew out of this fall (that Cheryl is always thinking -- and since pups really can't exchange promise rings) and the St. Bonaventure University lead our dear Smokie used for years to lumber and pull through neighborhood walks in Texas and Georgia.
Hopefully Lily won't be a fashion hound like Jessica and Jennine - the blue collar doesn't really "go" with the brown and white lead.
But sometimes it's more important to link the past to the future than have complimentary hues.
The dog books caution repeatedly never to buy a "replacement" pet -- and I can't imagine that being done. Smokie joined the hormone fest of our newly blended family with Jessica and Jennine just coming into their teens. She lived in big houses with big yards in two southern states. She worshipped Charlie, but hated any guy the girls' brought home to compete for her attention. Our collective lives were active, and often insane, full of the drama and trauma of junior high, high school and college.
Smokie did not get much discipline in her young life. She was so darn cute and we were so darn busy -- and she had two excellent mentors in "how-to-charm-Dad." She was the only one in her Obedience Class who got an attendance certificate rather than a diploma. She was whip smart - just a bit "independent."
It will likely be months before Lily even meets Jess and Jen. Her home-to-be is a downtown loft apartment in Buffalo. My brother is already having a laugh fest just considering the dynamics of Charlie trying to train a puppy bladder to wait for the elevator.
While she'll miss the excitement of the girls, with Charlie now really retired Lily will have the luxury of his time and uninterupted attention. She has a crate, a Kong and "parents" who have been preparing eagerly for her arrival since before she was born. It's been fun to feather the empty nest.
There was no time for any of this consideration for Smokie. She hit the ground running, filled in every available space in our lives and broke our hearts when she left so abruptly nine years later. It didn't feel then like another dog would be possible. It's still clear there will never be a "replacement."
It's a brand new, beautiful beginning for Lily. We're now to the place where we've raised enough children and pets to know you can love, direct, suggest, hope, discipline and dream , but she's going to be the one to let us know how it all turns out.
If she's any kind of gal at all, she won't mind a leash with a gentle tie to the past.




Copyright 2006 Judi Griggs