A fabulous weekend in Chicago. Gabi had never been there, and his best friend from Brazil, Paolo (who is also an exchange student but staying near Grand Rapids), flew over to meet us. A wondrous time was had by all.
At the close of the weekend we stopped by a store out in the burbs of Chicago which sells puppies (only). We were just looking, mind you. We've always preferred the idea of getting dogs from our local Humane Society, which is how we found Stinky Dog. They are a great group of people doing important work, and we've always supported them. Over the years, I've had three or four dogs and a bunch of cats, all from local Humane Societies. But Susan's allergies are quite severe, and we've looked for quite a while now, at least locally in Appleton, without finding anything suitable. So we've taken to reading the want ads, just to see. In the Sunday Chicago paper we found a puppy store which certifies their puppies to be family-raised and bred (no puppy mills). So rather against our better judgment we swung by after dropping Paolo off at O'Hare to have a look-see.
And of course we left with not just one dog, but two. Two sisters, Bichon Frisés, nine weeks old, and absolutely the cutest living creatures ever to walk the earth. We had no intention of getting two of anything, but they were playing in their cage and we just couldn't bear to separate them. Knowing the amount of time we are gone (more than a dog owner should be, particularly during my work weeks), it seemed that some family companionship would be a very good thing. There was a third to the litter--god help us--but luckily it was separated from these two, and it barked up a storm (very shrilly, we took note) the ENTIRE time we were there. But these two were together in a single pen, and both seemed just perfect: happy and playful, mostly quiet except for the occasional growl or yip during play, hypo-allergenic, and cute as a couple of tennis balls shoved into an electrical socket.
So here we are. We're still working on names. Susan has taken the smaller of the two girls as "hers" and wants to call her "Squeaky," after Squeaky Fromme (she's currently directing Stephen Sondheim's Assassins). My girl is the slightly larger of the two (how fitting) and I'm struggling to find an apt moniker (I seem to gravitate toward food-related things). Monday? Chocolate? Poppy? Teacup? Fruitcake? Snickers?
Maybe I could have a web contest: Name Wunelle's Puppy! (Hey, how about Wunelle?)
19 comments:
WEDNESDAY!
Oh my goodness! They are just too cute. Accidental puppies - I love it.
I'm surprised you didn't include something Diet Coke- related in your list of possible names. I think you should name yours Lizzie. No particular reason, just has a nice ring to it ;-)
p.s. Has anyone ever told Gabi he looks EXACTLY like Corey Haim?
I want one. Please can I have one? They're soooo cute. Don't name her Lizzie, name her Heather.
Bouffant!
You could call her Buffy for short.
I was thinking, I also got my cat by accident. My girlfriend and I were "just going to look" in the pet store. Then we were "just going to pet" the cat they brought out. Then we were "just going to pay by credit card."
Still no name has gelled in my mind (tho I appreciate all the input). They have successfully peed or pooed in every corner of the kitchen, but at least it's tile. It's impossible to be mad at them, tho, they're just so damned cute.
I pity the poor fool who comes home with accidental puppies (speaking as one of those poor fools). You ought to hurry and take someone up on their pleas to have one (or both) of them before it is too late. And if you don't, maybe I could - anyone interested in a fine example of a full-sized (60 lb.) puffball?
As for a name (since I know there is no parting with such a cute little puffball) I have always loved tough-guy names for cute little puffballs. Things along the lines of Spike. Doesn't she look like a Spike?
-- Jeffy
I once had a cat named "Flotilla." Love that name. I don't suppose I can reuse it... Spike would be good! Ripper. Max.
I think she looks like a Charo.
xoxo,
Esbee and her pups,
Pep, Salsa, and Pinochet
PS: How is Stinky Dog adjusting?
Charo! :-)
Stinky is doing better than we expected. I think the worst part is that she doesn't see them coming and is surprised at them. But they're treating her gently, and she hasn't snapped at them yet over these two days. If they pick at her too much she just moves--bumping into things--to another place; and we try to intervene so that she gets her pillow to herself. And we're giving her extra lovin', which she seems to enjoy. So far, all is very well indeed.
Still struggling with a name.
The closest I could come to "dust mop" in italian was "della polvere"
That is what it looks like to me, even though she is one cute dust mop. It even sounds abit feminine.
If only I could derive "Swiffer".
Swiffer! The best yet (tho sure to be vetoed).
I totally vote for Swiffer...
me too...
I stumbled upon this post from a friend's blogroll (Tales to Astonish!).
And I just had to wish you well with your new girls. I have a Bichon, Sadie (also because of allergies) that my boyfriend gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago and she is the BEST. As a breed, Bichons are soo friendly and fun. Good luck!
Omce I lived in the same building as a reporter. She named her cat Scoop. Accordingly, I think you should name the dog something relative to planes or shipping or such. But glam-y.
Savoia-Marchetti?
I never thought of the aviation angle!
"Turbine," maybe. Or "Airfoil."
Actually, Snickers seems to have stuck. Snickers & Squeaky. Not very clever, but they seem to fit.
We've begun the arduous task of training with treats, beginning with introducing the whole concept of treats as food--this is something new (even hard food is rather new and a bit difficult to work with).
I continue to believe that if you started with a blank sheet you'd be hard pressed to come up with something cuter than a fluffy, playful white puppy with little coal-black eyes and a penchant for licks & kisses. Except maybe, oh, two of them. I have an even more stupid permagrin on my face these past two days than, well, ever.
Snickers??? Squeaky???
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
PS: Your exchange student looks so much like the missing member of Wham! in the earliest years. He's adorable, and looking at him makes me feel each and every one of my thousand and three years.
Ah, yes. Andrew Ridgely, was it? But I'm sure Gabi's much less affected ;-)
Yes, the name jury's still out (mine, anyway). I'm not so sure about Snickers either. It should be something clever or dear to my heart (hey, how about Aspartame? Nutra-Sweetie? Sacchareen? Peanut Butter Cup? Pancake? Updates to follow, if updates there be).
It's so odd to have dogs who hear and see, and who play! Even in good health, Miss Stinky never chewed on anything or licked anything or gave kisses; these two are kissin' machines! And they love to play with their toys. I'll have to get a picture of them playing tug o' war with the knotted rope thingy.
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