Surprise! We got a puppy!

On Monday afternoon, we surprised Sam and Emma with an 8-week-old, male English bulldog puppy! Name remains TBD. We want to let the kids choose (while retaining ultimate veto power) and since the puppy’s arrival was a complete surprise, we are giving Sam and Emma a few days to try out some names and see what sticks.

After spending the past weekend in Suncadia, Ryan stayed over an extra night feigning a work trip to visit Boeing airplanes in Moses Lake. In truth, he was picking up the English bulldog puppy we found via an ad in the newspaper and I spent the better part of a week checking references on. Sam and Emma could not have been more surprised and elated.

The kids have been begging for another dog since we lost our first English bulldog Mack last fall (story linked here). Admitting, I was the family member throwing up all the roadblocks. First and foremost I was traumatized from the loss of our first dog. Second, Ryan and I both work full-time outside the home, who was going to take care of a puppy? And, third, selfishly I was appreciating not having to clean-up after a dog, worry about a dog, or arrange doggy care when we were headed out of town or during long work weeks. But then COVID hit and the question of who would take care of a puppy at home was answered (Ryan is not anticipating being back in the office until at least January). And, despite all my qualms, we decided that in the midst of all the negativity going on in the world, we needed to choose JOY. We have smiled and laughed more in our household in the last two days then in quite sometime. On Monday, Sam said “I just feel happier than usual today.” Me too, Sam, me too. Apparently, however, we are not the only family who thought adopting a puppy right now was a terrific idea, so it took us quite awhile to identify an English bulldog puppy we could bring home.

Why an English bulldog? Our first dog Mack was an English bulldog. Ryan originally wanted a bigger dog (think Labrador) but having grown up with labs I didn’t think the breed was a good choice for our on-the-go lifestyle and home. Ryan then convinced me that an English bulldog would be the perfect choice for us – smaller, less hairy (wrong!) and inactive. And I caved! But I also fell-in-love with English bulldogs at the same time. They truly are great city dogs because they do not require a ton of exercise or room to run. And English bulldogs are known for being great, patient and gentle with children. Our first bulldog Mack certainly was. The downsides: the breed does shed (a LOT!); their digestive tracts are finnicky (is which is nice way of saying they are very pungent!); they snore (I thought I had hit the jackpot finding a husband that didn’t snore but then we got Mack…); and when they shake their heads slobber sometimes flies onto your walls. But, for some weird reason all those traits that are so off-putting in humans, only endear you more to bulldogs.

So, how is it going on Day 3 of having a new puppy?!?! We have washed more blankets and towels in the last 48 hours than I care to admit; we haven’t been this sleep-deprived since having twin newborns at home; Ryan has discovered juggling Zoom calls at home with a new puppy is harder than juggling working from home with twin 7-year-olds; and, admittedly, while I never let our children share a bed with us, because of the ceaseless whimpers, the puppy slept with me on Monday evening. We are developing bad habits already!

Do you have any ideas on what we should name the new Lets Wine About It Sister mascot? Or any advice on how to take care of or train a new puppy? Please send us your thoughts. We would love to hear from you!