There's a New Puppy in My House by Connie Vines

Frequently, well often, I post about my dog Chanel (a Toy Poodle/Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-mix. 

Who as the years go by (she's 4 now), looks more and more like
a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel than she does a poodle.

Over the past several years I've meet looking for a second dog.
Not to large, because Chanel only weight 9 pounds and it fragile in bone structure.

20 years ago I had a rescue/abandoned greyhound, name Justine. We always say we love our current  pet the most.  But, Chanel and Justine are tied.  Justine was 16 when she passed away.  And if you love your pets like I do, they always visit you in your dreams.

Anyway.. . .  A greyhound was too much dog for me right now (no children at home with exercise/ change the dog up the street duty).  I was looking for a smallish dog.  Probably a male to change up our routine. And keep the Feral cats from looking down from the block wall ambush the birds at our birdbath and feeder.

I visited the three local shelters, watched the Pet-Harbor alerts and kept up-to-date on the rescue groups postings (I'm a member of 2).  With the Covid-19 stay-home alerts, everyone was adopting pets (which is a wonderful thing), leaving small dogs in short supply.

Two weeks ago, I was lucky (after 3-prior visits and no match-up) a Westie Terrier-mix was brought in as a stray.  He weighed 14 lbs and was a scruffy little lad.  Think: a white/matted Toto in "The Wizard of Oz". (Though Toto was a Carin Terrier).

I made a phone appointment.  Completed a second round of paperwork and meet the little guy.  He was like a larger, clumsy, version on Chanel.  So, Chanel and I came in later that afternoon for a meet and greet.

We were deemed a 'fit family unit'. I paid this adoption fee.  I also arranged to have him groomed the day before his surgery and boarded for the two days after.  (Since the puppy is a year old I knew he would be difficult to keep no-active in a home kennel).  Three days after his surgery he came home and it's like a miracle--he was completely potty trained.

Yay!

We are all still adjusting,  Gavin (who still doesn't realize he has a name) is pretty well behave.  He has the puppy lack of focus but always has a happy expression on his face.

Chanel doesn't understand why his has such uncouth behaviors.  He stole 2 of her favorite toys when he has a brand new blue Kong stuffed doggie.  He also ran up and down the hall wall.  Ignoring the 'No running in the house," from Mom.

Do you recall the Peanuts Comic strip?  Where Snoopy runs over Linus.

Chanel was standing in the hall way and then she was picking herself up.  She was fine, but
Mom was hyperventilating.

We have a new routine going,

It's just too bad everyone is shooting fireworks and upsetting him (and me, Chanel crawls up next to me and goes to sleep).

Gavin has a blue tartan collar and leash, as Westies are a Scottish breed.  He loves his dry kibble.
Even with his Elizabethan collar he stretches out in in his large kennel, in the master bed room, and sleeps through the night.

I'm writing a novella and completing and anthology right now.  My next novel will most likely have a dog, or perhaps two, in secondary roles.

August Release/July pre-sale

October Release