hello puppy
There’s no recipe today, because… puppy!
We went to meet our puppy over the weekend. Actually, we got to meet her and her six brothers – seven little chunksters in total. At six weeks old they were ridiculously adorable, stumbling clumsily over one another, drunk on puppyhood. I’m amazed that the universe didn’t implode from this ultra concentration of cuteness.
jeremy and puppy get acquainted
holding our little girl
checking out what the other littermates were up to
this little guy came up to investigate (and taste) my shoe
Everyone has been asking if we have a name yet. We have a name. We have several names. I’ve been keeping a running list of all the puppy names that came to mind in the last three months. Jeremy believes it’s best to name the dog after you have met her and gotten a sense of her personality. So for now, she’s “puppy” until we bring her home in a few weeks. She’s a very sweet girl – calm and curious and so, so little! She isn’t a fearful dog, which is good. And she’s just as rough and tumble as her brothers, but they are all pretty gentle with one another (as puppies go).
they flopped down frequently, because they’re puppies
jeremy got her attention
she’s got the right idea
hanging with her brothers
I’m excited to bring puppy home, but it’s not the same as when we first met Kaweah. I think back then, all I knew was the joy of getting a puppy of my own. Now, I know the joy of puppy, the sadness of watching her grow old, and the heartbreak of letting her go. Don’t get me wrong, I would not have it any other way. I promised Kaweah I would be by her side until the very end and I make that same promise to this pup. And on this journey together, we will have ourselves plenty of adventures and yummy snacks and cuddles and friends and lots and lots of love.
silly goofballs
five minutes later, they were sleeping in a pile
except this one passed out before he could get across the pen
May 10th, 2015 at 11:05 pm
oh my gosh – what a cute little girl! she has some big shoes to fill, but i’m sure she will do so admirably. can’t wait to see all your new adventures with this one!
May 10th, 2015 at 11:29 pm
I am looking forward to reading about your many adventures with your sweet puppy.
May 10th, 2015 at 11:32 pm
PUPPYYYYYyyyy. They all look so soft and cute and snuggleable! I’m so glad you and Jeremy got to meet her, and you decided to share pictures here. There can never be too many puppy (and dog) pictures.
May 10th, 2015 at 11:44 pm
Love these photos, Jen. So happy for you!
May 10th, 2015 at 11:55 pm
They are just so dang cute! Congrats on the cute bundle of puppy!
May 11th, 2015 at 12:15 am
Your adorable little girl will be spoiled rotten (and well fed with your yummy treats). I’m so happy for you both.
May 11th, 2015 at 12:28 am
❤️❤️❤️ !!!
May 11th, 2015 at 12:35 am
So adorable! I love dogs but unfortunately can’t keep them, can’t wait to read more about your new addition to the family!
May 11th, 2015 at 12:52 am
Adorable!
Congratulations and looking forward to many pics.
May 11th, 2015 at 1:18 am
So cute!
Cheers,
Rosa
May 11th, 2015 at 2:07 am
I’ve been coming here for the recipes but I’m staying for the puppy! Very happy for you both and want to take the opportunity to thank you for your wonderful website.
May 11th, 2015 at 2:33 am
Beautiful words, Jen. Puppy will, as you know, be worth every moment. So happy for you!
May 11th, 2015 at 2:38 am
Can’t wait to take this ride with you! Thanks for inviting us to come along! Better than a novel!
May 11th, 2015 at 5:37 am
Oh! What a pile of sweetness! I’m so excited and happy for you, and so glad we get to watch the puppy’s life. It’s always wonderful to see loving and responsible pet owners with their animals. I love what you said about promising to be there until the end. When we adopted a cat from a shelter, they asked how much we were planning to spend on him per year. I just looked at her with an “are you nuts?” look and said, “Whatever it takes. I have no idea what might happen!” I guess it was the right answer, because they let us take him.
May 11th, 2015 at 6:27 am
Congratulations!!!! So happy for you!!! Cant wait to see this little girl grow!
May 11th, 2015 at 6:42 am
She is just perfect. My two favorite food bloggers (you and SmittenKitchen) are getting a puppy and having a baby this summer, respectively. I could not be happier :)
May 11th, 2015 at 6:49 am
So sweet – thanks for sharing such adorable pictures! That’s one lucky puppy, going to a home like yours.
May 11th, 2015 at 7:31 am
I am swooning in puppy cuteness….. I am so thrilled for you and Jeremy! and what a lucky puppy she is. So very happy for you guys!
May 11th, 2015 at 7:49 am
Really great news! I’m so happy to hear that this adorable puppy will be joining you and Jeremy! I’m looking forward to seeing your photos of all of her cuteness as she grows.
May 11th, 2015 at 7:53 am
What an adorable pup! This post made me tear-up and my heart swell with joy! I am so very happy for you both… all 3 of you! What a great adventure awaits! I love your blog… Especially your photos, they are outstanding. I get to see a part of the country I haven’t had the chance to visit yet. Hugs.
May 11th, 2015 at 7:53 am
Look at those paws! They are beautiful puppies. And they have that wonderful puppy smell. We have a 3 year old golden retriever. Zoe’s energy level is still waaay up there.
May 11th, 2015 at 8:01 am
Big smile! And so happy for you both get a puppy again!
May 11th, 2015 at 8:03 am
How exciting! A new furry kiddo in the family. Many Congratulations to you and Jeremy!!! So, what’s her name?
May 11th, 2015 at 8:39 am
Me tooooooo. I’ll take a brother. I’m so overdue for a new walking companion (Buck left us 5 years ago). I’m happy for you and looking forward to watching her grow.
May 11th, 2015 at 9:03 am
I love your recipes and food photos, but love your dog pictures and stories even more — Congrats on the new family member! A new dog can never replace the place in your heart for your previous dog, but it will certainly fill it with joy!
May 11th, 2015 at 9:11 am
Perfectly put about the different feeling of getting a pup now that you’ve had the loss too. I count almost every gray hair on my pups’ muzzles with a bit of dread but also would never be without a dog. So worth the heartache with all the love they give!
May 11th, 2015 at 9:22 am
I was eagerly waiting for this post to appear on my feed eventually. Congartulations on the new fur baby, she is beyond adorable. And thanks for the gigantic dose of cuteness on a monday, it certainly made it better!
May 11th, 2015 at 9:29 am
OMG – these pictures make me melt! Can’t wait to hear the new puppy’s name! :)
May 11th, 2015 at 9:32 am
So happy for the two of you, I have tears!! That is one lucky puppy!
May 11th, 2015 at 9:41 am
Oh thank you for sharing this joy with us! I know exactly what you mean when you say it is not quite the same as your first experience adopting a pup. My Simba is always with me and although I expect to have many more years with the two little monkeys who fill my heart today ~ it crosses my mind sometimes that my time with them is finite. Then I have a little cry, hug them tighter and carry on…
I can’t wait to follow your journey with this little bundle of happiness! :)
May 11th, 2015 at 9:49 am
Sweetness personified! And bravo to you for opening up your hearts to her. She’s one smart gal, having chosen you for her companions! I know your faithful readers are all eager to take the journey with you via your wonderful posts. Wheeeee!
May 11th, 2015 at 9:55 am
Your comment about being with her to the end made me choke. :’) So happy for you and Jeremy. This is wonderful.
May 11th, 2015 at 10:51 am
I am so happy for you and Jeremy. I know Kaweah is looking down happy that she did a good enough job to make you want to do it again. Best Wishes to all. Enjoy her!!!
May 11th, 2015 at 11:30 am
I am happy for the two of you, I am happy also for the puppy with a lot of as yet unassigned names. What an adventure awaits that lucky pup! And I bet that somewhere from the great beyond, Kaweah is happy for you all three of you.
May 11th, 2015 at 12:29 pm
Little girl is just beautiful. How exciting, adding a member to your family. I lost my 3 precious babies, 3 months apart. They were all seniors and chose to cross over the bridge, one after the other. I, like you, did everything I could for them, and was with them when they passed. I now have my sweet girl, Joonie (Great Dane). She brings such joy to my life. PLEASE continue to keep us updated on this little bundle of love.
May 11th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Congratulations, I’m so happy for you!! She is the cutest puppy!
May 11th, 2015 at 1:52 pm
Yes yes yes!!! She is SO precious. So happy for you guys. I’ve always found it amazing how both color labs come from the same parent. Can’t wait for the many photos to come :)
May 11th, 2015 at 2:36 pm
Oh I can’t wait until you get her!!
May 11th, 2015 at 3:11 pm
So happy for you, Jen ! She is beautiful :) what a sweet puppy !
May 11th, 2015 at 3:36 pm
OMG!! I am so happy for you. I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes! A few years ago, my cat of 17 years passed, and I couldn’t even wait a month for another one. I tell the new one all the stories about the old one. In fact, the new one has weird habits like the old one (they both like marshmallows, which is funny, because cats genetically don’t have the receptor for sweet).
Congratulations!
May 11th, 2015 at 5:14 pm
She’s perfect!!!
May 11th, 2015 at 6:21 pm
Congrats! She is precious. They all look so soft and snugly, and like they’re just balls of softness with no bones.
Looking forward to seeing lots of pictures of Puppy in the years to come!
May 11th, 2015 at 6:35 pm
And even though there’s heartbreak when they leave us, their lifetime of love, companionship, and devotion is so worth it.
May 11th, 2015 at 7:14 pm
I’m so happy for you! When Kaweah passed away I cried a lot. Her history and your love broked my heart. I hope the ‘puppy’ can fill your life of love, kindness, joy and smiles.
May 11th, 2015 at 7:17 pm
Puppy is adorable and so happy she will soon come home to you and Jeremy! We had 15 yr old dog whom we had to let go about the same time as you did Kaweah. So sad for both of us, but we adopted a rescue puppy in January and she has brought so much light and happiness into our lives since then. I know Puppy will do the same for you two. Can hardly wait for your posts about Puppy….and her name!
May 11th, 2015 at 9:24 pm
So adorable! I think I would have wanted to take them all home. I just about melted when I saw the picture of all of them asleep. Congratulations on Puppy–can’t wait to hear her new name. . .
May 12th, 2015 at 11:27 am
So much cuteness!! Love that puppy right up! Looking forward to the many cute photos to come! Congratulations!
May 12th, 2015 at 1:38 pm
So cute! I admin I have been checking in periodically to see when you’d be ready for a new pup. She’s adorable. I’m sure Kaweah is happy for you. Looking forward to seeing her birthday meals and hoping she gets to pick random numbers for you!
May 12th, 2015 at 1:49 pm
So happy and excited for you and Jeremy!!
May 12th, 2015 at 3:12 pm
OH MY! So very very happy for you all. There is nothing, I repeat nothing, in the world like a puppy. This is the best news I’ve heard today!
May 12th, 2015 at 5:24 pm
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you and Jeremy and that very lucky little puppy!
May 12th, 2015 at 5:33 pm
Puppies are wonderful. I’m glad for you.
May 12th, 2015 at 6:00 pm
Congratulations! She is beautiful!
May 12th, 2015 at 6:55 pm
I am so happy for you. I don’t know who is a better puppy mom, my sister or you. I think you are tied. I hope to meet her when she is accepting visitors.
May 12th, 2015 at 7:51 pm
I’m so happy for you! I was just wondering the other day when you might get a new dog in your life. This little girl is a very lucky puppy to have you to love her!
May 12th, 2015 at 7:52 pm
She’s adorable! Welcome to the family puppy! I’m excited to watch your adventure together (and learn her name!)
May 12th, 2015 at 9:35 pm
Hi Jen, I am so happy for you and Jeremy. Puppy is so darn cute and will have the greatest parents.
May 13th, 2015 at 10:39 am
Aw Jen. I am so happy for you. I smiled and got tears in my eyes upon opening up this blog. I knew it was coming, but here it is – Puppy time. I as well as all of your readers can’t wait to see all the new adventures and travels you have with her.
May 13th, 2015 at 12:17 pm
Eeeee! So excited for you guys! I am currently on my second fur baby, and sometimes I think about how hard I now *know* it will be when it’s her time to pass, but I try to focus mostly on the joy of sharing time with her. It’s mostly easy to relax into the fun, even with the knowledge of the pain that will come after your first one passes.
May 13th, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Hello and congrats on the new addition to your family. I think K. will be watching over puppy and she settles into her new home. :)
May 13th, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Puppies are just bundles of love! Many years of happiness to you and yours!
May 14th, 2015 at 8:43 am
Awwww, welcome Puppy :)!! Congratulations on the newest member of your family. Can’t wait to see ALL the puppy pictures.
May 14th, 2015 at 8:21 pm
That is a serious pile of cuteness. <3
May 15th, 2015 at 8:29 am
Congratulations! So very happy for you all!
May 16th, 2015 at 4:46 am
How exciting! She’s a cutie!
May 18th, 2015 at 8:27 pm
So happy for the both of you! She’s adorable and looks like a bundle of fun and energy!
May 19th, 2015 at 9:22 pm
Thank you for all of your wonderful comments. We are so excited to bring puppy home and to share her with you as she goes from puppy to big girl. As always, we are so moved by your love for our four-legged loved ones! Our house, our hearts, and of course – this blog, don’t feel whole without a pup. We’ll share her name soon! xxoo
Leslie – yes, she does! I’m looking forward to seeing how different and how similar she is to our sweet Kaweah. Either way, it will be wonderful.
Jack – definitely true! :) xo
Yiwen – thank you!
Joyce – :)
Kristin – I just wish more people understood that kind of commitment. xo
jillian – awww, you’re so sweet. Deb is one of my favorites, too!
Cheryl – xo
linda harris – ha ha! I’m counting on that ;)
Pey-Lih – read the post.
Bev – her brothers were seriously adorable!!
Jen – it’s true, they are worth every bit of sorrow for all of the joy and love.
Julia – :)
Geri – xoxo
Cindi – thank you, dear. xo
Mary Karen – it didn’t take me long to realize I needed a dog, but Jeremy was the one who had to be convinced (but now he’s totally on board and he is really fond of our pup).
Melissa – oh hon, I know you know what I’m talking about. I know you’ve made that promise to your three fur babies <3
Chris - xo
John - so sweet. Thank you xo
Barb - yes, of course!
Allie - oh yes, and some carry all three (chocolate, yellow, and black)! MEGA CUTENESS!!
Sheryl - stay tuned, girlfriend! xo
Mala - thank you!
Monica - so sweet. xo
katzcradul - yes yes yes!
Mô - I cried a lot, too. Thank you for remembering our sweet girl. I hope this little one will be just as silly :)
GwenO - thank you.
Rose - absolutely! It was hard not to just stand there squealing at the cuteness!
Paige - yes, I'm hoping she'll do some random number picking, too :)
jill - we'll let you know!
Amanda - so true, but so worth it all.
May 20th, 2015 at 9:32 am
Jen, I’m so happy for you and all the adventures ahead with your new pup! I can hardly stand the cuteness!
May 20th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
I am so happy to hear this! My heart broke for you when you lost Kaweah. We had a lab that also lived to be pretty old (15) and we waited 4 months before getting a new dog–a 2 year old rescue lab. Our house immediately felt complete again. I found that I did not compare the two pups as much as I thought I would–or when I did, it wasn’t about measuring–it was just observing different personalities. It’s also pretty crazy to have a young dog after having an old timer. While old pups are the sweetest on the planet, it is fun to have a dog that runs and jumps and bounds upstairs, that eats plain old kibble and loves it, and that doesn’t need any meds. It’s a refreshing experience after the 24/7 caretaking of an old friend. Enjoy your puppy. She is a lucky girl!
May 21st, 2015 at 6:03 am
I was so very upset for you when you lost Kaweah. I wanted to comment then but couldn’t find any words that didn’t sound hokey (not that I’m doing any better now). My husband and I have lost two dogs in the last 6 years and it is always terrible. It’s a good thing dogs bring so much joy to our lives to offset it.
Congratulations on Puppy! We got our first lab 2 months ago and she’s so much fun. Granted, we skipped the puppy phase and got a 2 year old girl from the breeder but it’s been so much fun to watch her personality emerge as she’s gotten more comfortable with all of us. We took her to a very large leash free park on the weekend and it was heartwarming to see how she would always come back to us and then go and check on “her” kids.
I wish you, Jeremy, and Puppy all the best!