Baby Goose: the story behind the wily, sly little guy

After tying the knot I had accepted the fact that pets were simply out of the question. Off the table. Strictly forbidden. The closest thing j ever had to a pet was "Snowball" - a tiny, white, fluffy pup that he had for all of maybe two weeks, that then mysteriously "ran away" (recently the truth was finally revealed; dear Snowball had chewed up Scott's sprinklers. Enough said).

However, the unexpected Fred incident had a magical effect. Somehow, someway, one look at me with a darling little critter, and j's heart melted. Just a little. Don't tell him that I know though. Our little secret.

For my birthday, I headed down to St George with j's family (I often vaca with them and without him because he's so immersed in that stupid thing call law school). During the week's leading up to my birthday, with the whole Fred fiasco still close in view, we talked a bit about getting a puppy, but in all honesty I didn't think there was a snowball's chance in hell (pardon the expression) that we would actually get one. To my complete surprise, upon returning home and walking through the door, there sat upon our slate floor a white banker's box, all gussied up with vibrant ribbons which were carefully curled. I raised a suspecting eyebrow, unsure whether or not to get my hopes up on what might be inside that box. And then the box moved. Just a little. And the cutest little whimper came pouring out. I rushed over, scooped up the tiniest little puppy into my arms, and was absolutely smitten (probably an understatement).

j may say that was the worst decision he has ever made, but I love him for it and in my heart of hearts I know he secretly loves the little guy too.

A few things that make you so adorable:

+ You will bravely chase down a four-point buck, even after near-death encounters, but are afraid of even the smallest dog
+ You love socks and will run around with one in a frenzy, tossing it to yourself, playing keep away should we even attempt to retrieve it. You can be incredibly evasive when you try.
+ You cleverly try to hunt squirrels, patiently stalking the same hole every time I let you out of the house
+ Even if you are dead asleep, if I get out a toy, you immediately jump up, ready to play
+ You are as excited to go to Grandma + Grandpa's as any adoring grandchild would be
+ When I get out your leash, you are too keyed up to stay still. After scurrying around forever, you finally curl your little body around, tail wagging rapidly, and let me pick you up.
+ Your personality changes when your fur is shaved
+ Barking is not really your thing (unless Beckham is around or you see your own reflection)
+ You tilt your head in the cutest way when you hear something unfamiliar
+ I'm pretty sure you think you’re a people and not a dog
+ You hate the rain, but love the snow; you zip around like crazy, frequently burying your face in the powdery stuff, which is deeper than you are tall
+ You are distinctly different when j comes home - assumedly trying to exert your male dominance
+ Though a small dog, you will run as far as I will take you - three, four, five miles and your still pumped
+ You are a real cuddler and need lots of attention. You know nothing of personal boundaries.
+ Whether we are gone for five hours or five minutes, you light up just the same when we walk through the door
+ I may as well never put lotion on again, because you attempt to lick me to death the minute its applied
+ You set out to destroy every single toy we have ever bought you, successfully I might add, though the now legless yellow dog is still keeping you at bay
+ You smile and even laugh

Wild Goose. Silly Goose. Our baby Goose.