Life with Sophie

Yesterday I began a new chapter in my life.

I woke up and decided I was going to look for a companion for life.

I knew what I wanted. Someone that could keep up with my high energy level. Someone loyal. Someone that needed me as much as I needed her. I never dreamed it would be a HER! I was looking for a Labrador Retriever. I spent hours on the internet, looking through the classifieds and searching for him. Since I am still in Maggie Valley, my search was limited. But I finally found a lead. We drove to Pelzer, South Carolina to take a look at a six-week old litter of blacks, chocolates and yellows. Yellows have always been my favorite and I now know why. I can see their eyes so clearly, they stand out for me.

I was a little skeptic of the owners because they were not “known” breeders, but when I arrived at their well manicured home, I thought to myself..the littermates must have started their journey in a loving way. The Master of the house opened the door for me and I walked into a home filled with wonderful red-haired kiddies…there were too many to count. I had already decided that if I bought a pup yesterday that my first stop on the way home would be a puppy bath at the Petsmart in Asheville, but after seeing how lovingly these pups were cared for..I was so happy and….

When he opened the utility room door and I saw the little pups all asleep, piled up on one another, with the hum of the dryer and the cool floor next to their tummies, I was so happy and pleased. What took place over the next half hour was just amazing. I will not be able to give the story the just it deserved, but I knew these pups were so loved and the six weeks that they had lived so far were the perfect beginning for any new pup. I learned all of their names and the stories that each child had to tell touched my heart. Each sleepy-eyed pup I picked up was so soft and furry and the choice became very dificult. Finally I decided on a Yellow Female. By the way..the whole ride over to Pelzer I spent choosing a name. I even called a few of my kids to get their input, but I knew the name might not come to me until I held her in my arms. For some reason I really liked the name Raleigh, and of course DUKE was a thought in my mind, but when it was all said and done she became my Sophie. She was the softest thing I had ever held in my arms. The Master and Mrs of the house had everything in order. Very much in order. I was impressed with their detail and their care for these wonderful pups. While I was standing in the kitchen making my purchase one of the pups did need to potty right there on the carpet/bare floor. Everyone watched and let him finish with the understanding that it’s a puppy thing. Life is too short to sweat over the small stuff and this only reinforced my belief that my pup was so loved before she became all mine.
Sophie traveled like a champ back toward Maggie Valley, but of course we did indeed need to stop at Petsmart to buy all the stuff a new little puppy needs. That was a wonderful time had by all and Sophie was for sure the Teacher’s Pet!!
I will be sharing pictures and wonderful stories with you…My Life with Sophie as we make our life together but let me leave you with this happy ending.
Late last night after Sophie was fed, walked, pottied, watched, played with and pampered, I decided to take my bath. My water had been sitting for a bit and the bathroom was like a steambath. I settled down into it to relax and Sophie came in for a visit. She wanted to get into the tub so badly. I took a washcloth which was pretty wet and lavished her face with it but it did not satisfy her quite enough, so I picked her up just to let her hind-end feel the warm water. Before I knew it she squirmed out of my grasp, crawled up out of my arms, up my neck and laid there on my head. She fell asleep on my head in my tub of water. I kept her there as long as I could and then she was wrapped up in a towel, while still sleeping and laid on the bathroom carpeted floor. After I finished my bath, she was still sleeping. I kept the light on for her with the door ajar and went out to the living room to relish in what had just transpired. Today she has spent most of her day in the bathroom. She is drawn to the water and the cooled toilet tank. I have no doubt in my mind that Sophie and I will have so many more wonderful stories to share with you. I am so lucky. That is her Dad’s name, LUCKY and her Mother’s name is Maggie. She was born on Mother’s Day and I am the luckiest girl in the world.
Thank you Sophie

10/24/07

My Sophie is a gift. I live a DOG’S life now. I am at her side. She is so smart, energetic, loving, playful and so soft. Her and I are perfect for eachother. We are the same. I picked the best breed for a life of constant adventure. I need a puppy podometer. We are putting some miles on the record books. Sophie has a life of a super dog. The best treats, food, baths, walks, runs, swims, sniffs, chases, hide and seek, fetch…the list is endless. I give her every oppurtunity to stop and sniff the roses. Walks on the beaches, hikes in the mountains, lunch in outdoor cafes, hotel and resort sleepovers. And can that girl handle rides in the car. When she was smaller she would lay in my back window!!

Sophie is now almost 6 months old. She has all of her shots…great health..I have her first tooth and I have a friend for life. I have more pityures and other adventures to share with you any day.
My friends that visit me show her affection and are very patient with her puppy needs. I thank you all for sharing me with my dear friend Sophie. She thanks you too!!