Monday, October 31, 2011

Best Birthday Ever!

     Saturday was my birthday. I would guess that most women my age would say that they have had wonderful birthdays and maybe a few where they spent the day crying because they felt underappreciated by their kids or their husband. I've had a couple of bad ones, and lots of good ones and some that just seem like "any other day" of the week. Saturday will be a day I won't forget. I did get gifts I loved from my husband, kids, grands, dad and beautiful flowers from my sister.


I had lunches with friends, fun presents and
 Facebook wishes from people I've known since childhood.

AND...

Zoe came to live with us!



     Some of you may know that we already have a beagle. She was 15 in June and my daughter said that she really thinks of her as a sibling. Nike (my kids were both runners) is doing fairly well for such an old dog, but she no longer wants to sit in the chair with us, or curl up on the foot of the bed. She comes up for a quick rub on the head and then pretty much wants to be left alone. We've always known that we would get another beagle, someday. After a lot of discussion (imagine me begging) we decided that maybe it would be better to get Nike a little sister than to "replace" her later. We were already fighting a few old dog accidents (we bought a carpet cleaner) and they say that puppies are good for elderly dogs.

Nike spends much of her day napping.

Nike as a puppy.

My husband says Zoe is mine, but look at him.

     I started looking for a purebred beagle about 2 months ago. They aren't all that easy to find, even in the Midwest. So many breeders want you to pick your puppy from an internet picture, send a deposit and either pick your pup up in person or at the airport where it is flown in. We want our puppy to pick us! We found Zoe and her 7 siblings at an Amish family home about an hour from us. There were 4 little girls and we let her pick us two weeks ago and then we had to leave her there and wait until Saturday to pick her up! She is 7 weeks old today.

She has already discovered toys.


     We were concerned about the putting them together for the first time. We took them out on the deck where I could have Nike on a tether and pull her away if things went wrong, but it was fine. The puppy chases Nike all over the place trying to get her to play and Nike watches over her with more patience than she really feels.



     We haven't had much sleep the past two nights, but we know that will get better. It is sort of like having a new baby in the house. I think some would think we are crazy because we have our dogs longer than we have had any house we have owned! But, we love her already!

15 comments:

Marigene said...

Happy belated birthday, Sue! Zoe and Nike are adorable. I know what you mean about a puppy being like a new baby in the house!

Barbara F. said...

Belated birthday wishes, Sue! You beagles are both adorable! I like the names, too, especially Zoe's. Too cute. xo

Angie said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday, Sue! Happy happy :) Zoe is adorable. Glad to see they're getting along. Oh, puppy cuddles!

Low Tide High Style said...

Like my husband said when I showed him Zoe's pictures..."You can't get much cuter than that!" I agree completely, and that is the best birthday present ever!

Mr. Quinn and Misty Belle said to give her a big hug and to give Nike some lovin' too!

Kat :)

Jane said...

Ohhhh...puppy love! Zoe is adorable...and I'm sure Nike is happy to have a little friend. And what a perfect birthday present for you!

Our old Rowdy always perks up when his "nieces", Hurley and Hannah, come for a visit. Mention their names and his ears lift, his eyes brighten, and he heads to the door to go for a car ride to visit them.

Jane (artfully graced)

Ricki Treleaven said...

Happy Birthday! Zoe is so cute! I had a beagle named Wendy when I was a child. She was such a good dog!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Happy Birthday ! Sounds like you had a good one. Zoe is adorable. :D

Linda said...

Happy belated birthday! What a wonderful new puppy...she is so sweet!I'm sure Nike will lvoe the company...I have been bugging Don about getting a puppy...we haven't found one yet...we lost our beloved Sydney a couple years back and we feel sort of guilty about getting a new puppy...she was 16...so your way of doing it was smart.

bj said...

I am sooo glad you had a good birthday. And a brand new puppy...she is sooo sweet.
xoxo bj

Monica H said...

Adorable!!!

I've always wAnted a beagle. I just think they're some of the cutest dogs. We aren't certain but we've always thought autumn was part beagle.

Happy birthday!

Traci @ The Traci Chronicles said...

Happy belated birthday! Zoe is adorable! Nike too.

J Rodney said...

What a sweetheart she is, and it is obvious that she is already loved.

Happy belated birthday Sue, what a fabulous birthday present to receive.

Lori R. said...

Beagles are the cutest puppies ever. We had a litter on Easter Sunday this year and kept the runt. She is the cutest most lovable little thing. I could see Disney doing a movie featuring beagle pups and how cute that would be. Enjoy your new bundle!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Sue! She is ADORABLE! Oh, what a cute, cute dog to be a friend to that sweet Nike! Loved this post.

And Happy Birthday!!!

I was off dealing with critters all week, but I have come up for air. Critters of the annoying variety. ;-)

Love to you and Many Happy Returns...

XO,

Sheila

Sue said...

Here's wishing you a belated Happy Birthday, Sue! I'm bit behind in all my reading, let me tell ya. Your new puppy, Zoe, is just so sweet. Nothing like two doggies getting along so well. :-)