As we come closer to the end of this year, I spend less time reflecting
and remembering, and more time planning the year to come. There will be
birthdays, boring days, surprises, tears, long hugs, fresh corn,
headaches, misunderstandings, and forgiveness. It will go by faster
than this year. And though not every single plan will be executed with
utterly successful perfect serenity, a lot will get done, and hopefully nobody
has to be cranky for too long before getting the nap they so richly
deserve.
Yeah yeah yeah, just make with the puppies.
Aren't they wonderful?
The story that began here has progressed. We named the pregnant dog "Holly" and, based on her behavior before the arrival of the puppies, we were planning to adopt her. Since the arrival of her puppies, Holly displayed some qualities we hadn't seen before. We tried working with her, and might have had some success, but these puppies are getting bigger and harder to keep up with everyday. I saw a bad moment in our future, and decided to keep it from happening. She must return to the shelter, where she will hopefully catch the eye of some lucky human and be their wonderful dog. For she is, a very good dog.
Watching her has been educational. Sometimes, when I'm holding one of the puppies, she'll come to the puppy box, look inside, and immediately look at me. I think she notices one missing and starts looking for it in the most likely spot. Other times, when I'm just staring at them sleep in their box, in sappy-eyed awe, she'll come, look in, and not bother looking for one, because she knows they're all in there. She may not say, "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight", but I have a feeling she knows what eight puppies looks like, and what it doesn't look like.
Here's what it looks like.
Big things are in store for these little creatures in 2012. My wish for them, and for anyone reading, is that they are curious, healthy, and treated with kindness in next year. May your homes be a place of peace, and may your playful times leave you too tired to get into any trouble.
