Aug 20th 09 -- We have found Caitey!

While I was calling the world high and low, Caitlin already named her puppy sister Caitey... and thus added more pressure on my search.

Desperate, I wrote to the previous owner of our house for help. She was very kind to write back with a full list of suggestions from what to consider before getting a puppy (aka warnings), where to do research for the right breed, what to look for in a puppy, to where she got her yellow lab and golden mix Sidknee last time.

So I have decided to try the pet store named "Puppy Barn" for luck as she had suggested. It is a lovely pet store with cute puppy signs and pics hanging inside and outside the store. The manager Ralph was a somewhat ragged looking big guy, but soon you would find out that he was really very helpful and considerate.... especially for us puppy dummies. He took time to show us around, and explained in detail of what breed would suit our situation and what's not, for instance, getting a Border Collie or two goldens at the same time perhaps would not be too wise for us new parents.

As we approached the Golden Retriever bin, I could not help but gasp when I saw three of the most adorable Goldens, 1 girl and 2 boys. We were told that they just came in last night and the 8-week little girl had passed her vet examination and got her 1st round of shots today.

She appeared to be a little sleepish and tired, could be because of the hardship she had experienced from getting separated from her mommy and those shots, or it could because of her timid nature. An expert once said in a book that you should always pick that puppy which picks you, meaning it should be active, cheerful, confident and comes forward to you.

Only I did not care, at that moment. I wanted a female golden and that was that. If you are one of my friends, you'd know that I absolutely adore girls and am not much a boy person....I just can't picture myself with boys or male dogs. I actually prefer girls to a little shy, after all a girl should be feminine with her rightful girlie merits.

So I picked the little golden furry ball up, who had been stepped on and pushed left and right by her brothers. She seemed quite contented and rested comfortably in my arms. She was quiet and obedient, nothing like the lab that I saw in another store the other day... just the way that I pictured a perfect puppy. I made up my mind on the spot -- this is going to be MY Caitey.

... besides I don't think my two 2-legged girls would allow me to go back home without getting her any way.

So we paid for her, Ralph explained in details of the adoption procedures and put a paper collar that bore my name on Caitey. We would pick her up 2 days later after we got all our supplies.

Now it is official -- I am Caitey's mommy from now on.

Caitey, you WILL have a long, happy, healthy and fur-filled life with us -- I promise you this.