Following what seems like the two longest weeks of our lives, Paul and I drove to Augusta to pick up Gidget and bring her home yesterday. As Paul says, “She’s impossibly cute.” He hadn’t met her before, but he fell instantly in love with this two-pound bundle of adorable.

Paul visiting with Gidget for the first time.

She is curious and sweet. Every time she sees another critter – the ducks, chickens, or kitties, her tail begins to wag as if saying hello. On the other hand, the ducks, chickens, and kitties are not impressed. Gidget looks so sad when they walk (or waddle) away from her. She doesn’t chase them, just sits and watches in silence.

Hey! Where are you going? Don’t you want to play?

We’ve set up a little run for her in the living room so she has a safe place to play and sleep when we can’t be 100% focused on her.

Gidget’s indoor play yard.

Purfessor Snape appeared to stalk her a little in the beginning, but has mostly gone into hiding. Cinder on the other hand, is very curious. She tip-toes in to look at Gidget, but arches her back and immediately runs off if Gidget shows any interest in her. I see Cinder perched on high spots just studying Gidget as if not sure what to make of this intruder. We’re doing our best to give the kitties a little extra TLC, but frankly, they’re not too happy with us. Our bed is usually full of kitties, but not last night.

Cinder giving me the stare-down while Gidget is sleeping on my lap.

Our first night as new puppy parents went okay. I tucked Gidget into a little puppy carrier and set her next to our bed. She cried incessantly, so I plucked up the carrier and set it on the bed between our pillows – to which Paul said to me, “You’re a hot shit.” But she calmed down and went to sleep.

Paul dug out an old-fashioned wind-up clock that we tucked into her carrier so the tick-tock would lull her to sleep. Imagine our shock when at 12:30 a.m. the alarm on that clock went off as loud as the bell at a firehouse right in our ears. Paul and I flew out of bed, scrambling to get the clock out of the carrier and turned off. We’d been asleep just long enough to be in quite a fog. Hannah laughed till she cried when I shared this story with her this morning.

Hannah greeting Gidget.

At 1:30 a.m. Gidget’s cries woke me. It’s dark out here in the country, but I scooped her up, grabbed my flashlight, went out front and plunked her into the tiny outdoor run we fashioned for her with some fencing. A few moments of sniffing around and she did precisely what she was supposed to, came inside and went back to sleep. We replayed that routine at 2:30 a.m. and then again at 3:30 a.m. I’m feeling a bit sleep deprived this morning, but still have a smile on my face.

Watching the rain fall off the umbrella covering the outdoor play yard.

She’s slowly warming up to us. Yesterday she was clearly confused and unsure of her new digs and routine – and I think missing her siblings. Today she’s feeling her oats a little bit, starting to play and give puppy kisses. She enjoys being snuggled and particularly loves to grab hold of Paul’s beard and tug.

Lots of fun and work to come. I’m ready for a nap!