new addition to our family

New addition to Our Family

Well after being on waiting lists for months and months we finally

have a new addition to our family - a new puppy!

We have wanted to buy another dog since we lost our wonderful boxer

Xena last year but didn't really make the decision until mid year to

buy one. We decided as much as we wanted to buy another Boxer we felt

we couldn't cope with the medically problems that are more often than

not associated with them (cancer and heart mainly). Instead we opted

for an Australian Bulldog!

I researched all the breeders and information about the breed and

finally settled on a breeder. I asked her (the breeder) millions of

questions and finally put our name down on the waiting list. Imagine

my absolute disappointment when after waiting months the breeder

changed the way her waiting lists operated and didn't tell us until

after the puppies were born.

I was devastated - we had got ourselves all excited and then 'lost our

puppy'. I was really angry with the breeder and she knew it but there

was nothing that I could do.

Mind you last week she rang and told me she had a puppy I could have -

she was 6 months old but I told her I wasn't interested as we had a

beautiful puppy assigned to us from a much more professional breeder.

I went back to my old research notes and settled on another breeder

was so wonderful and caring and informative. She took the time to talk

about everything related to the dogs and didn't mind my numerous phone

calls and emails and then the wonderful news - we had a puppy! I went

out to see her when she was 5 weeks old and fell instantly in love.

Actually all the puppies were beautiful but being biased I thought

mine was the best. She is a wonderful little Australian Bulldog.

Then of course we had to wait until she had a vet check at 6 weeks

(the litter passed with flying colours) and then wait until she was 8

weeks old to come home to us but finally last Friday Marrianne and I

went and picked her up.

My wonderful labradoodle Fozzie (Bear) was so brave and courageous -

he ran and hid in the bathroom and shut the door so she couldn't see

him when we arrived home!

All day yesterday he spent alternating between the bathroom and

checking to see if she was still around. Finally today he decided that

she was okay and could stay. He gave her a thorough sniff and check

everything was in the right place and consented to allow her to play

with SOME of his toys. I am sure by the end of the week they will be

inseparable as Fozzie and Xena were.

We have called her Bella.

Such as great Christmas present - this has been one of the best

because as well as my lovely Bella arriving my even more wonderful

kids (Ben, Will and DIL Marrianne) gave me a gave me a plane ticket

for Christmas - (business class no less) to Albury!!

Next Saturday I am off to spend a week with my middle sister (the one

who was up here in July) who lives in wodonga. I take off at 8.30 in

the morning and don't come home until the following Sunday morning.

The kids all have holidays at the moment and will look after Philip

while I am gone. Ben, of course, lives with us but Will and Marrianne

will pop over to help and Marrianne will make tea at night a few times

to help Ben. The Home Care girls will still come so it won't be any

different for Philip except I won't be there.

He is a bit hesitant but after reassuring him that everyone will be

here he isn't too bad with the idea. Still a week will zoom away fast

but I am soooo looking forward to it. Except for three days at Mudgee

and Dubbo zoo Philip and I have not had a holiday away since he was

diagnosed almost 14 years ago.

What is equally amazing is that this trip has been arrange since

October and none of the kids or my sister have let on!

My niece (Annette's daughter) lives a few minutes from my sister and

so we will be able to spend time with her family too. Knowing her she

will have found all the patchwork and lolly (fudge) shops in a

reasonable radius from Wodonga so guess what I will be coming home