So, here’s the thing: we had to put down our beloved dog Tyson last Fall, and we miss him terribly.  We’ve cried, I’ve sobbed, we’ve mourned.  And we still miss him terribly.  So… we are getting a puppy.

In fact, our new puppy comes home with just 10 days.  His name is Oz (a tribute to the time both my husband and I spent in Australia, independent of each other, more than a decade ago) and he is a Chocolate Labradoodle, who will be eight weeks old when he joins our crew.

We met Oz and his brothers and sisters two weeks ago, when we went to ‘choose’ our puppy.  But, the truth is, he chose us.  As our family sat on the floor amongst four beyond-adorable puppies, Oz waddled over to me and curled up in my lap.  There he stayed, as my four-year-old rubbed his head and poked his belly, and my one-year-old tugged on his ears.  It seemed he had found his missing piece, just as we had found ours.  You know when you just know?  I just knew.  Oz was for us.

To say we are excited is an understatement.  I know it’s going to take a lot of work and cost a lot of money, and I know that some people think we’re jumping in over our heads.  For us, it’s all worth it.  I want my kids to grow up knowing the love that a pet can provide.  I want my kids to grow up knowing the responsibility that a pet can provide.  I want my kids to grow up knowing the loyalty and companionship and joy that a pet can provide.  And I want the love, responsibility, loyalty and companionship that Oz can provide.

Welcome home Oz.