Introducing...um...The Newest E!

We have ourselves a new family member! And, judging by the amount of sleep we didn't get last night, it's just as if we have a newborn human. Still, we're hoping she'll turn out to be a dog like my childhood Midnight and Brian's childhood Rascal, faithful, loving and playful. She is the first dog we've gotten since the boys were born and we're hoping she'll be their faithful childhood buddy.

Our search for a new pup involved an insane amount of hours on the internet this week and even a trip to the SPCA, where we nearly came home with a rottie mix named Mickey. Our first breed of choice was the Boston Terrier because every member of the E bunch owns one and it's a family favorite. They are, after all, great family dogs - friendly and highly intelligent. And, while my mom-in-law said it's hit or miss on their intelligence, no one would argue the love Dot, Meggie, Jeep, Cheeks and Ellie bring to our family. So, we began our search with a Boston in mind. However, not only were they about $600, but we also realized we needed a bigger breed, with not so twiggy legs, that could handle this rough and tumble household. Because, would it really be fair to subject this cute, but helpless, little something

to these cute, but hyperactive, little somethings?

Although, I must say these boys could never deliver the misdirected love and loss of dignity this little poor hound received...

So, we began to research larger breeds. I'm not usually one to overdramatize a situation, but it's possible my view on what breed can handle our boys may be slightly blown out of proportion as I then started researching The Great Pyrenees. They call them "The Great" for a reason...

Judging by the sheer vastness of its chest, I think it could handle two preschoolers. But then I realized that, with that 100 lbs. of greatness, comes lots and lots of fur. As in, shedding. Which I know I cannot handle.

So, a few Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Boxers later, I discovered an ad for English Springer Spaniel pups. "AKC English Springer Spaniel pups black/white. Tremendous family dogs. Great field dogs, dew claws removed, tails docked." Having little knowledge of the breed, I started reading up on it. And, here is what Wikipedia said to me late Friday night...

"The typical Springer is friendly, eager to please, quick to learn and willing to obey. The Springer is an affectionate and easy-going family dog, and its alertness and attentiveness make it the ideal hunting companion. An intelligent dog, active and eager to please, an English Springer is easily incorporated into a family setting. The English Springer Spaniel ranks 13th in The Intelligence of Dogs."

Every website made mention of what great family dogs these are. We also loved that the breed is large enough to handle little ones, yet small enough to not have the words "The Great" as part of its breed name. We shot off an email and got a response at 11:53 that night. There was one little girl remaining and we were welcome to come check her out.

So, here are her stats. She was born in Mustang, OK on March 13. She is eight weeks old with silky ears and a freckled snout. We decided the drive to OKC was worth it because we could spend the day doing touristy things and then casually roll over to Mustang to give her a look-see. We had a blast at the zoo and then headed to meet her. I'd been praying our hearts would be guarded if this were not the pup for us. I wanted to make a wise choice for our boys and not just take her because we'd driven that far. All that concern faded away, though, as soon as we opened her kennel and she ran right to the boys, smothering them in puppy breath kisses (love it)! The girl was so perfect. She trotted right alongside Tyler as he ran around the yard and blended into our family like she'd been with us from day one. She had enough spunk to be fun but enough mellow to be sweet. One of Tyler's first interactions with her included a smooch on her head and a solid declaration, "I wuhv you so much, Puppy."

And, you can't really tell a girl you love her, swap kisses and then leave her.

You might wonder why I keep referring to her as "she." Well, it seems we are having a hard time picking the perfect name.

When you let your four year old pick a name, you get Lulu.

When you let a Fightin' Texas Aggie name a pup, you get, well, Aggie.

Lulu, Aggie, Campbell and Barkleigh are all in the running. For now, we've gotten real creative and have been addressing her as "Puppy." Whatever her name turns out to be, we are all smitten with the little girl and think she fits in quiet nicely with our family!