Savannah's first morning...

We woke up early this morning, way before daylight, and came downstairs into the kitchen to check on our quiet little (big, actually) puppy.  My husband opened the door on the puppy-crate, and Savannah looked up but didn't come out of the crate right away. By the time I got downstairs, she was looking around and watching my husband make a cup of coffee.  We didn't hear a peep out of her all night long, so my guess is that Savannah had a good night's sleep. Not bad at all for a first night.

When Savannah walked out of her crate this morning, I put the leash on her and got her right outside... down the steps she went, first left into the grass... and just like that... so simple.... she crouched down to take care of her morning business. How perfect.  I pray to the puppy gods that this perfection will continue.

Savannah has already met a couple of our friends here.... G came by yesterday to say hello, seemingly thrilled that we had chosen a big dog. Within seconds of walking into the kitchen, G was right down on the floor with the puppy... that woman is, without a doubt, a true dog-lover... so much so that she has rescued stray dogs and puppies and either kept them herself or found them good homes.  I have eMailed photos of Savannah to friends near our home, and to friends and family scattered from the US to England.... we will no doubt have more visitors during the day.

This morning, J came by to pick up my husband for not-exactly a game of golf... they were going to "hit a bucket of balls."  I have a vague idea what that means... I am not at all a golf person.  Savannah was hesitant with J, watching his every move from the distance of her leash. J is The Cheese Guy to a little Chihuahua (named Bella) up the road.... so my bet is that the next time he comes to see Savannah, J will have a bit of cheese in his hand, which might dispel her caution with him.

My husband and I are taking it very slowly with Savannah... she's been here less than 24 hours now, but already seems to like her new home. Still, when you think of the changes in this puppy's short life.... starting off in a country home in the Hill Country five months ago, then taken with one of her litter-mates to a property on the outskirts of Houston with an outside kennel, then brought back to the Hill Country without her litter-mate into a home where she is the sole dog in a family with three cats who are even more cautious than she is.... so many changes in the five months of her puppy life.

When you think about it, dog-owners expect not only love and obedience from their dogs, but we also expect them to be able to adapt to all sorts of situations and changes. Dogs have innate emotions, as do all other domesticated and wild animals. (For proof of this, read "When Elephants Weep" by Jeffrey Moussieff Masson and you will look at all animals with new and educated eyes.)

Savannah is already part of our family, and it's so nice to have a dog in the house again. I've missed Gracie for quite some time, even though she was really my husband's dog.  She bonded with him from Day One and I think she tolerated me and liked me well enough, but I always knew that Gracie would have followed my husband over a cliff had he asked her to.  Last year, I wanted a fluffy puppy that I could dress up in bows and ruffles... and now I'm thinking that surely some pet shop will be selling plus-puppy-sizes and possibly Savannah would like a fancy collar or sweater. Or two.

After our recent trip to England last month, and seeing all the dogs accompanying their owners in shops and cafes all over The Cotswolds, I got to missing Gracie even more. Our cats are fine pets and we love and respect them and, of course, spoil them... but there's nothing like a dog to soothe the wrinkles in your soul.  With Savannah being here with us for just this short time, I can see in her eyes that she's learning to trust us, learning that we're here to love her and not hurt her, and all we expect in return is for her to be a good dog.

Border Collie and Great Pyrenees.... Savannah is going to be a great dog.