The New Baby

A few months ago, my daughter, Callie, and I went to Indiana to visit with my  mom.

While there, Callie decided she HAD to  have a puppy for graduation.  At first it was very specific (a Yorkie), but by the end of the week, it didn't matter ("Three legs are fine mom!  Please!!  I'll love it NO MATTER WHAT!")

....ahem....moving on...

I spent weeks, WEEKS, calling contacts with the Humane Society, visiting the animal shelter (where I left sobbing because I couldn't take ALL of them home with me), and negotiated on several different breeds of small puppies (because we already live in a small apartment with a 51 pound husky/shepherd mix).

Memorial Day weekend, I happened upon a local ad on craigslist.  New chihuahua/beagle mix puppies, cheap to a good  home.

Now, I'm NOT a chihuahua fan.  I love dogs, don't get me wrong.  But the shivering, yappy, insecure (and rat looking) characteristics of that breed is just NOT one of my favorites.

But, with a Beagle mix.  They call them "Cheagles".

I made arrangements to see the last two males the seller had left.  I knew that IF I brought this dog home, my marriage would be severly compromised, as our dog, Abby - the husky/shepherd mix - has become my husbands life and object of adoration.  Honest.  She has more treats in the cabinet than we have food in the refrigerator.

I walk into the seller's apartment and gaze down at these two little, and I mean TINY, black dots in the play pen.  One is jumping and yipping and all over his brother.  The other looks up with these huge brown eyes - and I fall in love instantly.  He fit in the center of one hand.  Seriously.

I manage to get this little bundle of nails, teeth and howling tears home. (Guess who never dreamed a box or towel might be needed? Recently whelped, losing multiple siblings within hours, and terrified of the car were all good indicators that at least ONE of those items would have been a good idea!)

Callie was still sleeping when I laid this tiny bundle in her bed.  Her first words were, "Oh my God!  I've lost him!!  I can't find him in this comforter mom!!  There's too much black!"

Once she located him, she was simply smitten.  Until she realized this adorable little bundle came with a little water-work apparatus, and these foul smelling pebbles seemed to appear out of no where.  The love affair ended when Miloh's potty breaks continued throughout the night, every 2-3 hours. 

My husband discovered Miloh before I could get home with his new collar, dog food, and other necessities.  He accused me of hiding at Wal-Mart to avoid his wrath.

His first question to me was:  "How many batteries does that thing take??"

Abby jumped into the ceiling every time Miloh moved.  Literally.  She drooled, shook, and we had to have her blood pressure checked every few hours.  Bill, my husband, accused me of trying to give her a heart attack. 

It was official.  Miloh was MY baby.

He and I bonded.  And, my baby he is :-)  He is a snuggler.  He loves to be held, and is nearly as spoiled as Abby - if that were possible.

Although the first few weeks were a little rough getting through, I'm happy to say that the family, including Abby and my  husband, are just as much in love with him as I was the day I looked into those big brown eyes. 

And, in a way I got my wish.  The chihuahua in Miloh looks more like a Daschund, or weener dog.  So, I can call him my little beener.