She is a wonderful, neurotic dog, who introduced us to the world of parenthood just a few months after marriage. As an "infant," Commissioner was FAR more trouble than Libby - or maybe it was just that I didn't get to have maternity leave with her (but needed it!) Michael proved himself an amazing dad right off the bat, taking her for 45 minute walks around 11 p.m. and again between 2 and 3 a.m. (while I cleaned out whatever mess was in her crate.)
We got her in early December, the day after I got back from a sleep-deprived trip to Disney World with my aunt, uncle and two cousins! It was fun, but I started out Commissioner's puppyhood pretty tired. The first weekend we had her, we had to go back to Savannah for my grandmother's 80th birthday, and she came along. Everyone was pretty smitten right off the bat! The hook on her leash was so heavy, it actually weighed her down. She had to rest her overly large head (for her body size at the time...), all the time and she acted like walking over the speed humps at our condo complex was climbing Mt. Everest. She was incredibly strong for her size, determined, and stubborn. (I think it's a pattern with the females in our family?) Oh- did I mention that she was an "only child," just like Michael and me? Her mother didn't have a litter - just her! So we sort of understood her right from the start. In addition to the middle-of-the-night walks, she was walked before we went to work, when I came home for lunch and immediately after work. And she still cried for hours on end at night. Our first married, family Christmas card featured Commissioner, and one of our friends thought we were holding a "beanie baby" in the picture, because she was SO tiny.
Today, at full size, weighing in between 10.5 to 11 lbs., she has proven herself a wonderful and special addition to our family. We are once again, blessed to have parents who took to her right from the start and took her in any time we needed to go out of town if she couldn't come with us for some reason. Commissioner, at six years old, has never been boarded at a kennel. (But she still thinks she has a hard life.) It's nice to be with her more now that I'm home part-time and Libby has been in love with her since the very first time she noticed her. Commissioner looks at Libby as her own baby and gets so excited when she comes down in the morning and from her nap. They are both sisters and best friends. Commissioner is totally and completely patient with her and it is really a joy to see them together. And it was so sweet of Commissioner to share her annual calendar with Libby this year, too.
"Dog" is one of the few words that Libby consistently says.
Now, on Sunday, we got to go do the pumpkin patch thing. Libby had a blast there, too. She rearranged the pumpkins, big and small.
But she started with a ride in the wagon...
Searching for perfection!
Just right!
Taking a rest.
Looking JUST like her Daddy.
We helped some, too.
So much to do, so little time!
What's a girl gotta do to get a little help around here?
Later on Sunday, we attempted to get a nice family fall photo. You can see how well that went!
Actually, Lindsi did get a few great ones of B at play (and some good family ones, too!)
More fun to come this month...! It's a busy one!
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