WE'RE PARENTS!

... to a furry, four-legged, 60 lb. baby!

Yes, you read it right. Eric and I have adopted a wonderful pup. Technically we're fostering her until next Saturday, but then she will officially be ours!

Eric and I have been together for almost five and a half years now, and married for almost eight months (?!). Very shortly after we first met, we knew we were meant to be together. Even through all the hard times and separations and long distance dating, we knew. Besides the fact that we had a lot of fun together, got along well, and loved each other's families, we had a ton in common, including our vision of what "family" meant for us in the future. We were never quite sure if that included children, but it definitely included animals.

I grew up with cats, but Eric is very allergic, and so is Kristin, so there was a wicked internal battle: husband/bf4avlt vs. cats. In the end, the humans won (but it was a close race!). It was either reptiles or dogs, and we already have plenty of scaly-skinned friends outside in Florida.

Our friends, Tara and Jeff, have been fostering dogs for awhile. When they posted a picture of their most recent foster, it felt like she was meant to be with me. That sounds really stupid, seeing as I knew nothing about her, but I just felt this really strong pull to this dog. We decided to check her out on a whim last weekend. Here is what we found out about her that day:

- Her name is Princess. Unfortunate, but true.
- She is 2.5 years old and had lived with a good family for her whole life.
- When her family moved, they could not keep her, so they surrendered her to A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue. This rescue has no shelter and only fosters. So she has never been in a shelter.
- She is up to date on shots, microchipped, and in wonderful health.
- She is well-trained: no couches or bed, no chewing, can sit, stay, come, and give paw when commanded.
- She is well-groomed.
- She LOVES belly rubs.
- Eric is not allergic at all! She barely sheds, and he had no stuffy nose or itchiness from touching her.

We spent some more time with her a few days later, and she just sat by us the entire time. She was great with the other dogs that Tara and Jeff own, and completely ignored their cats.

Basically, this was a match made in heaven.

Now that our pup is in her new home, we needed to help her out with that name. She really does act like a Princess, and we wanted her to adjust quickly to her new name, so it was only fitting to name her after a princess. We couldn't just go with any princess though. Princess Nymeria of the Rhoynar, warrior-queen. She may as well be a direwolf. Go read up on A Song of Ice and Fire if you haven't already. Great books ;)

Dogs are a lot of responsibility. I know enough about having children to understand that pets and kids are two different things, but having a dog is like having a toddler for 15 years. They need constant supervision, entertainment, potty care, proper training (manners!), medical and dental attention, baths, grooming, and exercise. Most of all, they need love. You might have plenty of friends and fun things to do, but YOU are all your dog has. You are their world, just like parents are the world of a child. We felt like we were finally ready for this responsibility.

We are happy to welcome a new best friend in to our lives. Here's to yet another adventure!