Ruby, Ruby Ru!!!

I was smitten...I couldn't help it. After we spent a couple of days visiting my sister and her Baby (miniature dachshund) I just couldn't get these pups off my brain. The internet is a dangerous thing because you can find whatever you are obsessing about SO EASILY. And I did. I was tickled to find a breeder 4 hours away. The next day (while Mark was considering my request) I found some puppies ready to go...1 1/2 hours away! I begged, I pleaded, I made puppy-dog eyes of my own...and then my sweet husband relented. The kids and I were out the door so fast...

Since this would be the first puppy the kids would ever experience, I thought it would be fun to surprise them. I put them in the van and wouldn't tell them where we were going...I just promised them a money-back fun guarantee. We arrived at Boondocks Happy Hounds in Oak Park (central MN) at about 12:45 on New Year's Eve day. There was another couple there who had driven up from Des Moines to adopt one from the same litter I had my eye on. There were six babies ready to go...4 1/2 and 3 1/2 months old. The other couple picked out their girl and the kids decided they were more than satisfied with the one I had tentatively chosen. Kari, the breeder, brought me to her outdoor facility so I could meet our pup's parents, Tilly (black and tan longhair) and Clyde (cream longhair.) This litter of puppies was bred because their had been a previous one that resulted in fabulously sweet pups from these parents. Tilly is getting older and Kari decided that she would be a mom one last time.

The kids and I brainstormed names as we drove home. Chocolate Cracker (Owen.) Blackie, because her eyes are black (Abby.) Barlow. Elsie. Nellie. Cinnamon. Ginger. Etc. Then Katie said, "What about "Ruby?"" The rest is history!