See a Penny, Pick it up

Hi there, if you're still out there following HtD (thanks!!).  I'm getting back into the swing of blogging, but I wanted to share my latest distraction with my loyal, albiet estranged readers.

Married life has opened the door to all new kinds of commitment for Marc and me. We've been researching buying a home, which has led us to set up some long-term savings plans, I've been searching for a dream job I can love for all time, and we fell in head over heels for a little puppy we've named Penny.

So no, this post is not about marital finances (phew!), or about good luck proverbs, but about our newest commitment and love of our lives. Hive, meet the newest edition to our little family: bitty pretty puppy Penny!!

Glamour shot

Her littleness! 9 weeks old, cautiously (and very briefly) exploring the world

Nomming on her rope (usually she prefers our hands and feet)

Latest pic at 11 weeks

She's a darling and a terror (is that where "terrier" comes from?).  Her momma is a purebred Pug, her poppa is a purebred Miniature Pinscher, which makes Penny a Muggin, one of the latest of the "designer breeds" of the dog world. We just think she's super cute.

Neither of us has ever had a puppy before, and Penny is proving to be an adorable challenge. It feels like training camp for our future human babies; and so far, I'm working by the book and taking advantage of her love for her bully sticks, and Marc can't say no to this sweet little face.  We're meeting with a trainer next week, and puppy kindergarten starts in April. Fingers crossed for success. Anyone have any advice for training a bitey little puppy?

She's sleeping in my lap with a case of the hiccups right now. Can't. Handle. The cuteness!

Oh, and in case you're wondering how we chose Penny's name, it started with Lost, but she may be more accurately named for Inspector Gadget's crafty tricksy smart niece.

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