Recently, Jim and I adopted a puppy from an area animal shelter.  We had gone in the hopes of finding a small dog to be a companion for our 9 year old chihuahua-dachshund mix, Gizmo.  We chose a female beagle mix named Lucy.

After we brought her home,we started noticing that she was developing spots that generally are not associated with beagles.  Well, she grew. And grew.  Turns out, we possibly adopted a beagle bluetick.  Needless to say, we didn't get what we wanted, but we want what we got.

Lucy is an active puppy.  Her favorite activities include chewing wood from the firepit outside, and hiding her "treasures" under our bed.  Socks and shoes are fair game, so we've learned to put them away.  Lucy is able to stand on her hind legs and take what she wants from the kitchen counter.  Last week, she wanted the box of lunch baggies.  Poor Jim ran all over the backyard picking them up when he got home from work.  I must admit that I'm sorry I didn't get to see that.

Every evening around 5:30, it's snack time for the dogs.  Gizmo is rather particular, and only likes certain treats.  He'll stick his nose in the air and walk away from inferior treats.  Not Lucy.  Her favorite are the cheap dog biscuits.  She loves those things!  I told Jim that she's our country dog, happy with plain treats, digging holes, chewing sticks, and just being outside.  Gizmo is more sophisticated, as he prefers expensive treats, his own blanket wrapped around him, and the occassional back massage.  Actually, that sounds pretty good to me, too!

A few people have asked if Lucy will be taken out hunting.  I don't think so.  She'd much rather be home, relaxing with us on the couch watching tv.  I've tried to encourage her to watch Victoria Stillwell and Cesar Milan, in the hopes that she'll learn proper doggie behavior, but it has't sunk in yet.  She enjoys those shows, but apparently doesn't make the connection that there's a lesson to be learned in the content.

I had to laugh last night.  Jim was eating cereal, and Lucy was sitting on top of the couch, with her head posed right by his left ear.  She was avidly watching the spoon as it traveled from the bowl of cereal to Jim's mouth.  A few times I thought she was going to lap some milk, as her mouth would get closer and closer to the bowl.  Being a good doggie daddy, Jim saved a few pieces of cereal for her, and do you know, she didn't want it? She was happy just being that close to him.

I think it's really cute when Lucy and Gizmo take a nap, curled up together.  Even though there's  huge difference in their sizes and ages, they get along rather well.  I think that Gizmo has already made it clear that he's the boss, and he's not putting up with the kiddie foolishness.  And Lucy respects that.

We are very pleased with our new puppy.  Even though we didn't get what we wanted, we can't imagine life without what we got.