Denali is coming

Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog; it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big. (Erica Jong)

This is not about «replacing» Tashina. Simply, we have enjoyed so much having eight paws running at home and two muzzles around us that we have started to inquire about the litters of puppies in our area.

Debbie, in whose home Tashina was born, told us about a litter in Oregon. The father belongs to her. Seven cocker spaniels puppies, all black, were born at the end of the year. Some may become show dogs.

But not this little girl: her belly and throat are white. This is considered a flaw in the breed. A black cocker should be solid black. So she must go to a pet family, not interested in show competition. This is exactly us. We find her very cute as she is. We are going to call her Denali – as in Denali mountain, in Alaska. We will go and pick her up early March.

Of course, we are not sure what Sitka will think about this. She has settled quickly in her new routine of only pup of the house and enjoys our full attention. She may grind her teeth a little. We hope she will have fun going back to her playful puppy self.

As for us, we are bracing ourself for the accidental pees in the house, nibbled shoes and furnitures. It will be fine. Spring will be almost here.