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The Newest Bellacera

It was bound to happen.  We have a new addition to the Bellacera family—a black lab/huskie mix puppy!  His name is Cooper, and he has one blue eye and one black eye. 

We haven’t had a dog in the family since our beloved Golden Retriever, Kai, died back in 2003.  But I’ve known for a long time that Frank really wanted another one.  Me?  I wasn’t so sure.  Being without a dog for so long reminded me of just how much a responsibility having one is.  You know how much we like to travel.  And with a cat, it’s easy.  You just put out a bunch of cat food, trusting she’s not going to eat herself to death, and hope the litter box doesn’t get so filthy that she’ll stop using it.  With a dog, you can’t do that.  So, the travel thing was a big part of not getting another dog. 

Still, my kids kept reminding me how much Frank likes to play with Leah’s dogs, Bailey and Yukon.  And when my sister, Kathy, came to visit with her dog, Jasper, last Christmas, Frank went into withdrawal after they left.  So I knew it was just a matter of time before we brought a puppy into our home. 

This is how it happened.  On Sunday, we joined our son, Stephen, and his girlfriend, Jo, for an outing to Cooper Vineyards near Lake Anna.  The winery has an annual event in honor of their dog, Lucy, where they invite the Richmond SPCA out for a weekend to find homes for dogs and cats.  Stephen and Jo had been thinking about getting a couple of cats, so they brought along a carrier with them.  Now, I knew it was entirely possible that Frank would find a dog that he’d fall in love with—and that’s exactly what happened.  One look at that cutie with the mis-matched eyes, we were both done for.

And so far, so good.  Cooper is two months old, and he’s really smart.  He’s already learned the word “sit.”  And he’s (cross fingers) only had one accident in the house so far.  The only big problem, though, is Ruby, our ten-year-old cat.  Let’s just say that Ruby is not a happy camper about this new occupant in her territory.  Big surprise!  I knew this was going to be a challenge because every time Kathy came to visit with her dog and cat, Ruby became our reclusive upstairs cat.  But I was hoping if we kept Cooper barricaded in the family room for a period, she’d eventually come to accept him.  Not only has that not happened (and yes, it’s been only four days), but she won’t even walk past the gate to get to her litter box in the laundry room.  Now, that’s a problem!  So it looks like I’m going to have to bring the litter box upstairs—and I really didn’t want to have to do that! 

Why can’t they all just get along????

I don’t know why Ruby has to be such a drama queen.  If anyone has any suggestions, I’m open to them. J

If you’d like to see Frank’s pictures of Cooper, check out my MySpace page and click on photos labeled “Cooper.”  http://www.myspace.com/carolebellacera

Well, I saved the best news for last.  And it’s BIG!!!!!!  I’m going to be a grandma!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, Leah is pregnant—and Frank and I are beside ourselves with excitement.  The baby is due on November 4^th (so as you can imagine, I’ll have more things on my mind than the presidential race.)  She and Zac have decided not to find out the sex of the baby, and although I totally understand that, I’m going crazy trying to hold myself back from shopping.  I see so many cute things out there for babies, but almost everything is in pink and blue.  Well, I guess it’s probably a good thing they’ve decided to wait and find out the gender in the delivery room.  Otherwise, I’d probably put Frank in the poorhouse with all my shopping.  J  This is our first grandchild, you know.  And no, of course we won’t spoil her…or him.  (I have a gut feeling it will be a girl.)    Grandma Carole.  That has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

Congratulations to Sara Wilson from Blacksburg, VA, my May website contest winner.  Stop by my webpage and enter this month’s contest.  www.CaroleBellacera.com.

Oh, one more thing before I go…YAY for DAVID COOK!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was so thrilled when he won American Idol.  I, for one, can’t wait to buy his CD.

Blessings,

Carole

June 2008

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