Ruby

Most of you probably already know this, but a cute little dog joined our family this past weekend...

Isn't she adorable?! I didn't realize it at first, but everyone keeps saying she looks like a little fox. I can totally see it now! I love it!

As you probably gathered from the title, her name is Ruby, but the nick-names have already begun and I've started calling her Rubezie. Also, Jayson suggested that we should call her Rue, which I think is the cutest thing ever. I mean, who doesn't love a good Hunger Games nick-name, right? Ok, maybe you wouldn't if your nick-name was President Snow or something, but anyway....

I love that her hair and Jayson's hair match. They're about the same color and they're both wavy! Do you remember the scene at the beginning of 101 Dalmations where Pongo is looking for a girl-friend for himself and Roger? He looks out the window and all of the owners look like their dogs? I always think of that when I see her and Jayson together and it makes me giggle with pure delight!

So, we got a dog because we sort of stumbled into an ideal situations. Jayson's brother and his wife owned this dog before us, but Alona (the wife) decided that she wasn't enough of a dog lover to have an inside dog and two kiddos (she has one on the way) and she felt like Ruby wasn't getting the attention she deserved. Alona knows I love dogs, so she texted me to see if we would be interested. I told her that I was definately interested, but we'd have to convince Jayson.

In the end Jayson was the biggest sweetheart. I swear I didn't try to hard to persuade him because I didn't want to be selfish and get a dog just because I wanted her if he really didn't. He decided to let us get her because he knew how much it meant to me how happy it would make me.  :)

Ruby is absolutely perfect for us. Jayson's allergies aren't too bad with her so far (phew!). We had watched her for a few days before and Jayson didn't have too bad of a time, so we figured things would be ok. Jayson also doesn't have a ton of patience for really naughty dogs (so...basically any puppy, right?) and since she's about 4 she's out of her puppy stage. She's also one of the most well-behaved dogs ever. Seriously. She doesn't chew up anything but her own toys, she doesn't whine, she hardly ever barks, and she's very obedient.

Another reason we weren't getting a dog is because right now we don't have our backyard completely fenced in, so the dog would have to either stay in the house all of the time or be out on a chain. I don't like the chain option and as a general rule I like big dogs and I felt too bad about having a dog contained to just our kitchen and front room (Jayson's rule is that dogs are not allowed on the carpet). Since I already knew Ruby and already loved her I was totally fine with getting a little dog. We also worried about getting a dog and then later finding out that they weren't good with kids, but we already knew that Ruby is great with kids! Getting a dog that you already know has a whole lot of pros, let me tell you.

Ruby is also such a sweetie. Whenever people ask me to describe her the word "sweet" is always the one that comes to mind. She's just so full of love. When she gets excited she practically wags her whole entire body. (Oh, having an excited dog to greet you at the door is one of my favorite things in life!!) Her favorite little toy is a little squirrel and she likes to throw him up in the air and then run to get him. She also really loves to have her tummy scratched. Her very favorite thing in the whole world is going on walks. She gets SO excited, it's hilarious.

Also, when I first arrive in the driveway after being away she's usually doing this:

I just adore seeing her little face through the window watching for me to come in. It makes me all sorts of happy! 

Life with a dog is the best sort of life.