A Mighty Breeze

Yesterday afternoon there was a brief period of wind and the power went out for close to an hour.  The power goes out easily in Northbrook: we've gone without power for as long as thirty-six hours simply from a passing summer storm. 

When the lights came back on, I had that same feeling I'm sure most of you are familiar with: the desire to recharge everything I owned that can be charged, purchase canned goods and flashlights, throw in a load of laundry and, in short, do everything that one takes for granted for fear that the return of electricity is only temporary.

This time,  the return of power brought with it the inescapable reality that we are a dog short in this house and that there is no reason -- beyond the desire to punish ourselves -- to wait until spring to rectify the situation.  It occurred to me that Clover and Pam's breeder is not the only breeder in the Western Hemisphere, and that one can, in fact, obtain dogs from other people.

I wrote my pal Leslie, who has a new dog she loves, and asked her where she got him.  A few back and forth emails and one phone call later, and we have now reserved a puppy whom we'll be picking up at O'Hare in about three weeks.

Purists will recognize that she is not 100% King Charles Cavalier spaniel.  She is half Bichon Frise, making her a "Cavachon."

The children are pleased, and I suspect a certain Cavalier who was deemed two pounds overweight at her last well spaniel check-up will be a lot less lonely.  But I won't lie to you; this new dog is mostly about me.

Name suggestions welcome!

Comments

[Miss Susan]

What an absolutely adorable puppy! Congratulations to all of you :)

[Ssheers]

What extreme cuteness!

[Tamara]

Good idea!

[leslie]

Loie, who named your pup's older brother Shakespeare, thinks that "Elizabeth" (shortened to Lizzie) would be a good name for the new puppy (can you tell that we're doing medieval history this year?) I defer to Agatha, though, because Pam Spaniel is a genius name.

[TBH]

Yeah!

[Annie D.]

Since this darling puppy is half Bichon Frisé, I thought of the following French names: Madeleine (Maddy), Claire, or Charlotte (Lottie).

[Pam (not the dog)]

I once named a baby Llama "Maggie" (short for maggot, but that was a story in itself). It would seem most fitting (in your case) that one of your family names this dog also. I noticed one of the children did a lovely job naming another dog of yours. Seems more cozy for you that way. But hey, obviously names may not be my thing.

[Miss Susan]

I had to show my current baby the pictures of New Spaniel, and with his limited language skills he gleefully commented "oohhhh, TEEEE!!" (see!).

[Hildie]

Lorna (Doone.)

[ssheers]

I tried to think of names that go with Pam. All I could think of was: Green Eggs.

[Barbara]

She seems intrepid and very sure of herself. That's a "Libby" face if I ever saw one.

[kmkat]

How about Her Adorable Cute Preciousness? Seems to fit...

[Frogdancer]

My first Cavalier was called Sarah. Many dogs later, we have a Molly.

[Alice C]

Princess Squidgy of the Magic Spaniel Kingdom?

Ill with envy over here but thrilled for you.

[Suse]

I like the earlier suggestion of Lottie. And it goes well with Pam.

Very happy for you. A dog shaped hole in the heart is a big one.

[Paula]

This little puppy is a dear. Everyone will love her. A name? Hmmmm. Something to go with Pam. Hmmm.

[Sara]

I am horrible with animal names, I just can't think of any, so my daughter does it. Our little animals are great comforters to us and to lose yours at a time when you have the greatest need of her must be hard indeed. It is a lovely thing to welcome a new little dog though and she looks delightful. I am glad that Pam Spaniel will have a new play mate. Can't wait to 'meet' her.