Zoe

Around the Riede house there is a pitter-patter of little feet...from a four-legged sweetheart with beady, black eyes, stinky breath, and a bladder control problem. We picked up Zoe, our second Westie, Friday night around 5:30 and fell in love from the moment she started whining in her crate in the backseat of our car.

Our first concern was jealousy from our first-born, Lily. Our fears ebbed when we found the two tussling, Lily a little rough at times, but all in good bonding.

The first 24 hours have been educational. If we were to transfer our parenting tactics from canine to mammal, I think we would end up raising a decent child. Spoiled, but decent. Needless to say, we didn't have our best night of sleep last night, but we were prepared for that when we made the decision to be a family of four.

I can't begin to describe the cuteness, the innocence, the playfulness that comes from a puppy. Even ugly puppies are cute. She's also at a stage where she hops forward very quickly instead of actually running. And her equilibrium is something that is awaiting further development. She is having a hard time walking in a straight line. God forbid she be submitted to a field sobriety test. When she does sleep, she sleeps solid. No trying to get in the right position or get comfortable. The way she passes out in any possible place, position, or time is downright narcoleptic. However, her sleeping habits can only be rivaled by her rebounding energy. She's tenacious and submissive yet rowdy and fearless. She's curious and scared. She takes a running start at a dog that weighs at least eight times as much as she. Her mother and father rejoice at every bowel movement and urination that lands on the training pad.

I must get to bed now, for I probably won't get much sleep tonight either. Wish us luck and welcome Zoe to the Riede family.

(Pictures will follow)