introducing hope

In May, during Nightmare '09, Car-Man said to me, "What do you want for Mother's Day?" I said, "Oh, a pre-planted planter to hang on the front porch?"

He stood there with a sad face. I tried to figure out what I said wrong. (Scheess...I didn't even ask for anything expensive!) He said, "Not a fluffy, wuffy puppy?"

You see, for every single holiday for YEARS...birthday, Mother's Day, Christmas, Valentine's Day...when he has asked that question I have said, "A fluffy, wuffy puppy!" And he had always said, "NO WAY...we are not getting one more creature. We have a cat." And I have briefly pouted and it's been over.

So I looked at him--a little shocked--and said, "Really? A puppy?" "Yeah. I've been thinking about it and I think it would be good for Eldest. And you. We could use something tiny and innocent to love around here."

So we've spent the last month researching puppies. Trying to figure out which one was right for us. Meet "Hope"...

I'm not sure the name will stick...but the meaning will.

She came home last night. Eldest spent the evening loving on Hope. Twice I found her in tears and she said, "I really needed something to love and to make me happy. I feel happy for the first time in a really long time."

Hope spent the night in her kennel in Eldest's room. She cried and whined...as all puppies do. But Eldest repeatedly climbed out of bed and comforted Hope. She didn't even complain. And let me tell you, Eldest is a BIOTCH about being woken up. That girl likes her sleep. But she has been cheerfully sleep deprived all day long. (She and Hope did curl up for a common nap this afternoon.)

I know this might not last. But, for now, she is living up to her namesake.

Last night, Car-Man said, "The name 'Hope' might be a big responsibility for one small, little puppy." I shook my head, "Hope isn't responsibility. Hope is a feeling. It's always in the future. Hope is all we've got right now."

So for now...she's Hope.