A new member of the family…
I write today’s post with some serious bags under my eyes.
You see, yesterday was a huge day.
It went a little like this…
I climbed into the Prado with Dash, Violet and my niece Salina at 7am.
We arrived back at Granite Glen last night at 9.20pm.
In the interim we:
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covered almost 800km of bitumen and dirt roads,
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completed tasks at a dozen different businesses,
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made four ‘pit stops’ for little bladders,
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ate our once-three-monthly allowance of drive-through food from ‘Ha McDonalls‘
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walked approximately three kilometres at a shopping mall
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and helped three kids try on a dozen pairs of shoes each (remind me not to do that again when I am pressed for time!)
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picked up enough Chinese takeaway to last us a week
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…and we completed a little adoption I had been thinking about for a couple of years…
…
If you are long-term readers, you will already know about the love I have for a certain breed of dog… after falling head-over-heels in love with a pooch called Cosmo before Mr Incredible and I were married. This dog (often half-jokingly referred to as our ‘first-born’) sold me forever more on Great Danes.
That’s right – practical old Bush Babe loves ridiculously enormous dogs.
Very non-practical creatures, but how they make my heart swell.
It took me a little while to get over my grief at losing our old fella two years ago.
Finally, we bit the bullet and went pup-hunting on the web.
And we found a little boy with the sweetest face…
Would you like to meet our newest addition?
…
After completing the majority of our jobs in town, we drove a further hour north and arrived at his home with rain bucketing down and three already-tired kids dozing in the back seat. It was marvellous how quickly they came to though, when I announced we were finally ‘where the pup was’. They hurled themselves from the car and immediately immersed themselves in the animals.
We had brought an old towel with us, and the kids rubbed it over the Mama Dane.
We wanted her scent to reassure her little/big son with for the big trip to his new home.
Isn’t she beautiful? And huge?
She was very patient with the attention.
The pups meanwhile gambolled all over the place…
around legs and off into the garden…
the boldest being this little fella!
the boldest being this little fella!
Hellllloooooo Axel!
Isn’t it a great name?
He was already christened when we got him, but it just suits him completely!
He is the biggest pup of the litter (although I didn’t know that when I chose him).
I just liked the look of him, and the fact that he was different in marking (he is a Black Mantle, compared to the Blue Merle coat of his predecessor, the much-missed Cosmo).
And he is a curious little man…he was fossicking here in the rock garden with his sister.
He only nine weeks old but already heavy to pick up and move. His feet are almost as big as Violet’s hands – a pointer to a rather large grown-up pooch!
…
He was a little whimpery when we first put him in the car (with his Mama’s giant head pushed in beside me to see what was going on!) but once the trip was underway he fell asleep on Dash’s lap – much to my son’s absolute delight (and Violet’s silent chagrin!). I was worried he would mess in the car, but despite being almost five hours in transit (with a couple of dry ‘pit stops’) he didn’t disgrace himself once. Not bad for a baby!
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He had a little bit of a wakeful night (just checking on me mostly) but he is gradually coming out of his shell today – although he tried to play with Middy last night and got swatted for his troubles (emitting very sad yelp!). Both have recovered from the encounter, but apparently she is not interested in a little rough-and-tumble Great Dane style!
…
Axel is also coming to terms with the roar and action of kids trikes and constant patting… all a bit new and overwhelming for him.
He is coping pretty well… although the laundry has become a favourite spot to avoid the melee…
Regular ‘time outs’ are required to maintain the stamina required to be around kids on school holiday.
It’s totally tough work being a Granite Glen puppy! Brace yourselves for an onslaught of puppy pics, people.
The question is:
Can you handle the ‘cute’?
🙂
BB
28 Comments
Alison
Oh SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It almost makes me want one!!!!!!!!!!!
Lol – I though my step up from mini foxy to dalmatian was big.. HAAHAHAHAHA!
Watch he doesn’t fly away with those ears. OMG the cuteness!!!!
Very exciting 🙂
Kate
AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited for you! You got a new Dane!! I am seriously squirming in my chair right now i’m so excited! He is absolutely beautiful and i’m so excited to watch him grow…and grow, and grow and grow and grow! 🙂 Um, i just used the word excited a lot…but i am! Yeah!
Heather
He is soooo cute! I just got a new puppy too…a Great Pyranees German Shepherd cross. He is big too, though not as big as your guy! Good luck with puppy training!
Cactus Jack Splash
Handsome looking devil…congratultions
Anonymous
awwwww!! Bring on the puppy pictures!!! Kids and puppy’s, nothing is sweeter to look at the end of long day in the corporate world!!! I am very sure Middy will have Axel “house broken” very soon…..
signed
Theresa in Alberta
Reddunappy
Cant wait to see the new puppy pictures!! Our dogs are old and Meghans guide dog puppy goes back in June 🙁 I want a mini silver dapple dachshund for my next little dog. Axle sure is cute!
Leenie
bring on the CUTE!
Gina (KS)
Oh, how fun!! Nothing better than a puppy, a big one at that. Can’t wait for all the puppy pictures….
Karen
Axel is one lucky puppy to be adopted into such a great family. He’s beautiful.
Paint Girl
Axel is one gorgous pup! Big pup! I love Great Danes! And a black and white Dane is even better! I have a thing for black and white animals! Love him! Can’t wait to see more pics!
jrosey
He is just as CUTE as can be!! I can tell you’re already in love with him and rightfully so! He will make a wonderful addition to your family! 🙂 Looking forward to watching him grow up with you guys!
Mikey
Awww, he’s adorable! I can see why you couldn’t resist 🙂
sues2u2
What an adorable little/big guy! It would take a heart of stone to not fall in love w/ him. Looking forward to seeing him often in pix w/ the kiddos.
dykewife
he’s a total cutie! and he’s uncropped as well. that’s totally awesome.
Bush Babe
Tee, hee. He’s asleep on my foot here at the moment. Dane’s do love a litte skin!
NB Australian’s don’t crop ears (as far as I know). Would never even consider it… he will stay floppy of ear forever. The way nature intended!
🙂
BB
PS Love your enthusiasm. Need it actually. Bring it on!
BOSSY
WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. Bossy is so in love. So so so so so in love. Yay, you!
Gem
Ohhhh BB – I am soooo thrilled for you! You have had me in tears with your posts about Cosmo. Axel will create a new place in your heart right alongside Cosmo. He is adorable. And those feet – oh lordie!!! You guys are in for it!
Gem
Mindee
I can’t imagine a dog that big, but you do have the space for him. He is precious. Congrats.
Mom L
Congratulations BB, and welcome, Axel!!! I gotta know, though, what does Charlie think of him? Or, rather, what will Charlie think when Axel keeps on growing? Leaving him down in the dust?
Nancy in Atlanta
Sabra
Yay for the Granite Glen clan!! What an adorable new addition to the family. I am so happy for all of you. Good luck with all the puppiness.
Kelly
Congratulations on the new addition!!! There’s nothing like a new puppy!!!
I love big dogs, too, only our breed of choice is Rottweilers.
I never get tired of puppy pictures, so bring ’em on!!
Danielle Michelle
My girlfriend raises them and has two litters soon expected! Could you imagine about 30 of the little buggers crawling all over?! I’ll make sure I take lots of pics and post them when it finally happens!
I love the name!
A Novel Woman
AH, too cute, too cute. Mustn’t look too closely….might want one.
I just spent the afternoon picking up…how shall I put it….Post Winter Dog Detritus from the back yard. I have a wee Cavalier. I can only imagine what a Dane can do.
Pencil Writer
Congratualtions! Have fun, giggle and run and giggle some more. ;-}
Jayne
Aww, congrats on your new baby, he’s a proper little sweetie 😉
Mary Paddock
Many congrats. You must post many pictures so we can enjoy the journey with you.
I’ve been trying to convince Gary that we need a Great Dane. No luck so far. 🙂
Pony Girl
I’m so happy for your whole family! What a new adventure! Danes are really cool dogs. Your new little has such great coloring. And I am totally fine with puppy pics! 😉 I dog-shop all of the time…just not a reality right now. My horse is enough of a responsibility, LOL!
Hippomanic Jen
He’s beautiful. It would be cute to have such a big dog being all puppy-klutzy everywhere.
Big day – but worth it!