07 February 2009

Our First Baby ...

I don't think Ryan and I were home from our honeymoon to the Wine Country of California more than 2 or 3 days before we took the plunge into parenthood. I had always wanted a dog ... but childhood allergies had pretty much wiped out that option for me.

While browsing the internet, we found a breeder that said it had puppies available. So we took off that day to go look. They first brought out an 11 week old yellow lab who just seemed so big already so we asked to see the younger litter. Out they brought (soon to be named) Pumba. He was SO gosh darn cute. I instantly fell in love.

He was a skittish little thing. We had to hand feed him on the carpet for the first couple of nights because he wouldn't walk on the hardwood floor. When we took him to see my brothers family he hid from the kids in one of the plants. And later on, whenever I'd vacuum, he'd pee. :)

Well, almost 7 years later, we have a huge dog who is still as hyper as a puppy. He's calmed down a little but just can't control himself when someone comes over. For the longest time, people in our neighborhood referred to Ryan and I as, "Pumba's parents". Pretty much everyone in the neighborhood had met and remembered him.

He's a bit strange ... he only likes water in it's frozen state. Take him near any kind of water and he'll FREAK OUT ... tail between the legs with this look like, "ARE YOU CRAZY!?" ... but once the first snowfall hits, he's out in the front yard rolling around in it.

My point with this whole post? Don't forget to include your "first baby" when planning for family pictures. I know it's hard to give the four legged babies all the love and attention they got before the two legged variety came along ... but don't forget how important they are to you.

Anyway, catching snowballs is one of Pumba's most favorite winter activities. Last weekend I shot a few pictures of him while we were out building a snowman. So here he is ... Pumba. (And because I know someone will ask ... he's a pure bread Lab. His monster head always throws people off.)































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