Meet Norton - our latest arrival to the family!
We've been discussing this for a couple of years whether to get a puppy or not -and now that my maternity leave is not too far off we decided that this would be the best time to get one if we were going to do it. The Dude did some research and we found that the Whippet was probably the best breed for us - being a quiet, loving dog that has been breed for health more than "fashionable" looks. They sounded like an ideal family pet for us. We found a few local breeders and visited two sets of puppies before picking Norton. And he is very sweet. Now I'd like to point out that yes a puppy may be hard work and before people launch into telling us how mad we are for doing this - just keep your trap shut for a second. Not all dogs are the same. They have very different natures and purposes depedning on what breed they are. We have chosen this type of breed because of their nature and intelligence. And the fact that they will suit our lifestyle. OK? I'm a bit fed up of people telling us how "mad" we are in doing this so I had to have a little rant about that. We're a middle aged couple with two kids (third on the way), and luckily the Dude is at home during the day most of the week, I'm also on maternity leave for 9 months (budget willing) and hence there will always be people at home. And when I return to work Norton will only be left alone for a couple of hours for a max of 2 days per week and even then that will be infrequent due to the Dudes shift patterns. Oh and I only work 9miles away so popping home at lunch time is not a problem either.
Can you tell pregnancy hormones are getting on my nerves?
Oh and as for B-Baby - well nothing new to report on that front except that the consultants we saw at Addenbrooks don't seem to be too concerneced over the kidney situation. And anyway they tell us that maybe at the next scan (due 14th Feb - how romantic) may tell them a bit more but from what they see its not that too abnormal. Though they did play down the DS markers and still say the "golf-ball" they said it was less likely connected with Downs Syndrome. Does that make me feel any better - no not really. I guess after loosing a previous baby at 20 weeks into the pregnancy that I will never get over that fear, I will always have trust issues with hospitals.
