4 Days and Counting. Still no name.

I can't say enough good things about Bob and Joan, our breeders. He called last night to let me know that the puppies went to the vet for their first shots and had a mircochip implanted. He also let me know that Dark Greenie (still no name...) has an umbilical hernia. This is a "delayed closure" in the umbilicus where a little bit of fatty tissue leaks out. It can look like an outie belly button on the puppy. We're supposed to massage his belly so it goes back in before the abdomen heals up and the bump is permanent. Even if it does bump permanently, it is not a big concern, when we go to get him fixed they can fix it then.

Bob and Joan also bought collars and leashes for each new owner for the car ride home. I really think they are the kind of people that go above and beyond. I am glad we found them.

On the home front, I swear the cat knows something is up. Maybe he's sensing our excitement. This happens when we are getting ready to go on vacation, too. He used to hide under the bed when I would pack to go somewhere, becuase he used to travel home to West Virginia with me in the car, inevitably throwing up once we hit the winding roads of Route 20. Now we just leave him at home, and he lets us know how angry he is about that when we return.

I am definitely anxious as to how the cat will react to the new puppy. He's not a young guy, and those of you who know him know he's very... contrary. He's very much my cat - he loves me, he likes Ryan a lot, he tolerates a few others, and generally ignores everyone else. He requires daily attention, and lets you know if you've been lax in the application of said attention.

I've been researching ways to introduce a new puppy to an older animal. I just need to be sure we continue our same routine with the cat, still give him his couch cuddle time. They may never be great friends, but I hope they can learn to tolerate each other!