March 15, 2013

And then there were four...

...Four LEGS, that is!
 
Friends...meet our newst addition, Annie Oakley! ("Oakley" for short)
 
AKA: Beau's new sweet baby girl.
(Y'ALL-that boy is SMITTEN for her already!)
Deer toy = necessity

Needless to say...for the past 12 hours our hearts have been SO extremely overjoyed to welcome this precious, furbaby into our lives! She is the calmest, most docile little snuggle bug you EVER did meet! I literally just want to go home and squish her!!
 
Breakfast IN bed, anyone?! #girlaftermyownheart

Oakley (still not sure on the spelling? Oaklea? Oakli? Oaklee?) is a fullbred Rhodesian Ridgeback (African hunting dog). Her parents, Nehra and Ocho, are from Conroe, TX (Cavallo Creek is the name of our incredible breeder) but she was born on a vineyard in California. Can we say spoiled? She's 7 weeks old and weighs a little over 11 pounds. Momma weighs 110 and her daddy weighs almost 140 so we've got a big girl on our hands, to say the least. (Hey...go BIG or go home. That's what I always say, Jack!)

We weren't supposed to pick her up until tomorrow but let's just say I'm the most impatient person EVER I had some tricks up my sleeve and surprised Beau with her when he got home late last night. Random surprises are my absolute fave. :)  I mean, who wouldn't want to come home to this?


Anywho-I've already posted several pics on the ol' Insta & I'm sure I'll be snapping a gazillion real pics this weekend so be sure to check in on lil' Oakley from time to time!! Seems like she's already got a pretty big fan base! Who can resist those forehead wrinkles!? Really?! ;)

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, y'all! Mine will be spent snuggling with these two:
Love. Love. Love.
 

86 comments:

  1. Seriously she is just the cutest little bug ever! And I like it Oakley I think the best. If you ever need a puppysitter, well, I live in NYC and you know where to find me.

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  2. The love of doggies are one of the greatest! Enjoy your bundle of joy! And I love the name. What a great addition to y'alls family!!!

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  3. OMG!! i am so jelly!! she is just the cutest thing ever!!! i might have have puppy fever!! love your new addition!
    XO

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  4. OMGEEEE she is so so so cute! I just want to squish her little wrinkly body! Congrats on the new furbaby!

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  5. Omg she's so precious! I love the name - seems pretty fitting for you guys! :)

    Enjoy your new little one and have a fabulous weekend!

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  6. puppy love is the greatest ever. i just wanna squeeze her and eat her up! i would have 238934 dogs if i had the room for them....and that ain't no joke! happy weekend lovey!

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  7. What a little cutie. Flip, my fiance, wanted us to have Ridgeback, but they are quite large, and we have a very small yard. So we settled for a Staffie and a Jack Russel.

    Good luck with Oakley! They have looooads of energy!
    PS: Forehead wrinkles are the best things ever.

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  8. you are the best wife ever to surprise you man early...love it!! seriously the cutest little pup ever!! the wrinkly skin is the best! Your husband, well and you, are probably totally smitten over Oakley. Which I LOVE the name btw...annie oakley, cannot beat that cuteness! :) happy weekend lady!

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  9. Oh she is so sweet. That is an awesome name too =)

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  10. Seriously the cutest! I can't wait until my husband and I can finally get a dog.

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  11. Omg!!!! She is so so cute!!!

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  12. She is just so precious! What a cutie pie! Congrats mama! And I love her name...I think it spelled Oakley is my favorite!

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  14. Awww, congrats on your new bundle or furry joy! Dogs RULE! Such a cute face!

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  15. welcome to puppy mommy hood!! It is so fun!! Although....don't feel bad if you want to cry in the middle of the night because the puppy keeps wanting to go out and you want to sleep then they want to play... I had some breakdowns when we were potty training Ernie... they just need lots of attention but it's so fleeting and before you know it she will be a big girl!! Having a dog is the BEST!

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  16. What an adorable baby! But really wish you would've considered a shelter dog over a breeder :-(

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    1. Thanks but we had to choose this breed because of my husband's allergies. They have a very low dander load and this is one of the only dogs we have found that he is NOT allergic too. It was either this puppy or none...

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    2. I understand. Kudos to you for giving this doggie a loving home. You'll be a great mommy!

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  17. At first, with the title, I wanted to be all "Steph, are you bad at math?" Butttttt, nope! She's so precious! I would be totally smitten with her already, too!

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  18. So sweet! I love that little face!
    I can't recall if I told you this but my former neighbors had a Rhodesian Ridgeback. She was a pretty good dog :) Very protective, good with our dog Lilly, and very good with their kids (twins toddlers, at that time).

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  19. oh my! She is adorable. LOVE the picture of her eating in her bed.

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  20. Those forehead wrinkles!!!!! So so adorable. Congratulations on your new addition :)

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  21. Congrats! She is just the cutest and I love her name. Can't wait to see more pics!!

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  22. EEEEEP what a little cutie!!!(with some huge paws!!) He and Dingo would be BFFs I just know it! I love the name :) I can't wait to see so many IG pics!

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  23. she is beautiful! i just want to squeeze her. congrats!

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  24. Oh my goodness she is adorable!!! Have so so SO much fun with her, I know y'all will! & now I have puppy fever...again!

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  25. Puppy-feverrrrrr! Ahhh! So so precious!

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  26. She is the cutest!! Enjoy the puppy snuggles, they are the best EVER.

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  27. What a precious little girl, I wish you would've considered rescuing a dog though :/

    I understand you had to get this particular breed but here's a list of Rhodesian Ridgeback rescue groups, just in Texas alone.
    http://rhodesianridgeback.rescueshelter.com/Texas

    Maybe your next one can be a rescue! ;-) Enjoy your new baby!

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    1. Thank you but choosing to go with a breeder was our decision, not anyone elses. I appreciate the comment about her being precious, but I don't appreciate unsolicited advice about rescuing a dog. If you would like to rescue a ridgeback, be my guest. Other than that, we'll be happy to provide our new puppy with a very loving home, whether she's a rescue dog or not. At the end of the day, isn't that all that matters, anyways??

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    2. Seriously! Many animals end up at shelters for behavioral issues and temperament problems. LAST problem you want to inherit. There's nothing wrong with purchasing a breed you want especially when its specific to your needs. You and Beau doing thorough research guarantees that Oakley has a FOREVER HOME and will not end up a rescue dog which is all anyone can ask for!! So GO YOU! and love that sweet girl!

      DON'T LET SNARKY COMMENTS RUIN THIS AMAZING EVENT IN YOUR LIFE!! THIS IS A DAY TO CELEBRATE!!! YOU ARE OFFICIALLY A MOMMA!!!

      I am so happy for yall! Cant wait to cuddle that bug!!!

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    3. It wasn't advice or a snarky comment, it was simply a suggestion. I nicely and respectfully stated what I thought. No need to be ganged up on, ladies.

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    4. Your suggestion wasn't very nice or productive since the puppy has already been brought home. Do you expect her to return her dog and use the link you attached in your comment to rescue one now? I doubt so, therefore I thought you were being snarky. My mistake.

      I wasn't ganging up on you at all and I really hope it didn't come off that way! I was just nicely and respectfully supporting my friends decision. The last thing I want her to feel on what should be a very HAPPY day is any sort of guilt for purchasing from a breeder.

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  28. Adorable!!!! Have a great weekend snuggling the new pupper!

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  29. She is PRECIOUS! I can only imagine Beau's surprise when he walked in the door last night! Enjoy life with your new fur baby! The picture of her with her face in the bowl is precious!

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  30. My heart just melted into a big puddle. I have such a weakness for pups!

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  31. OMG soooo adorable!!! I can't wait to ready about all of your adventures with her and see pics as she grows up!

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  32. She is absolutely adorable!! :) And I love her name!! I can't wait to watch you be a puppy obsessed mom! HAHA Welcome to the club! :)

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  33. what is with all the rescue comments?? geeeez. she is the cutest baby girl ever!! my little puppy will be 6 months this Sunday! (whooo might i add also came from a breeder. he's hypo-allergenic too) Yall's lives will be so enriched!!! Just hide all bras.. and shoes... and um everything you don't want chewed :) xoxo!!

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    1. THANK YOU! She's going to be SO loved whether she's a rescue dog or not...is there anything wrong with THAT?! I'll be sure to hide the bras lol...good advice! ;)

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  34. My puppy came from a breeder. Was the best decision I ever made. She has papers and I could trace her family history. She has a disease that many of the same dogs in her family had. Which I wouldn't have known if I could not have traced her. I kept my dog alive BECAUSE she came from a breeder.

    That dog is the cutest thing I've probably seen this month. Seriously.

    Welcome to the four legged parent world. It's a big one.

    And my only, ONLY, only advice is when the dog gets a little older, don't go to petsmart or look at websites of puppies. You will want one. You'll miss that puppy breath.

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    1. I just love you! Amen to getting your pup from a breeder so that you 100% know their family history! We wanted a full bred puppy and who knows what we would have gotten if we would have rescued. Plus-we wanted a puppy...not an adult dog. Grrr-why is it these people's business anyways?! Oh well!

      Thank you for your support and your sweet words! She will be SO loved...she already has us wrapped around her paw lol. Will definitely stay away from puppies when she's grown. Lawd knows I can't handle more than a husband and a dog lol.

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    2. I'm sorry, but when you put your life on a public blog, you make it people's business. Perhaps you should have included the part about your husband and his allergies in your original post, it might have cut down on some of the comments you obviously didn't want to hear. I fully support your decision to get a puppy, purebred or otherwise. Please remember though, some of your readers work with rescues and try to educate, or raise awareness for shelter pets. I wasn't hateful to you, and neither was Mindy. And no one is doubting that you will give her a loving home. At the end of the day, your decision is your decision. But hating on your blog followers who have a different opinion from yours is completely unnecessary.

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    3. Yes-my blog is public for a reason and so are my comments. I also think it's great that there are people who are trying to educate others on shelter pets. If I wanted to adopt a rescue dog, I would have but obviously I don't want to! The bottom line is I don't feel it's appropriate for others to make me feel bad or bring me down about my decision of purchasing a 100% purebred dog from a breeder and personally don't understand why some people just can't be happy for others, regardless of their decision. Why do I need to explain my husband's allergies on my own blog?! What does it matter to anyone?! I appreciate those trying to spread awareness but it should be done in a way that doesn't bring others down, especially on such a happy blog post ABOUT A PUPPY. I believe in alternative medicine and natural approaches to health but I don't go around chastising people for taking prescription drugs or birth control. I believe in healthy eating and exercising but do I leave degrading comments on people's blogs for eating mac & cheese? Never! At the end of the day, it's their choice and a measly blog comment I leave isn't going to change their mind. If you knew me, you'd know I'm not "hating on" anyone...at all. I treasure my loyal readers. I just don't appreciate having to justify myself on my own blog. The end.

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  35. Saahhhhweetest pup ever! Love love love her. Dogs truly are the best pets!

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  36. She's adorable a friend of mine has a gray one and she is still just as much of a lapdog now that shes full grown (-:

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  37. Awwww...she is so cute!

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  38. Awww...congratulations on your new puppy. She's so cute!

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  39. so so sweet!!! she is absolutely adorable! i bet he was on cloud 9 when you surprised him with her! they are such good dogs!

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  40. hi babygirl!!!! :) Looks like we will have to fly back soon to meet you. I think you should know your mom is a littleeee crazy, but I know your daddy has big plans with you (if he can pry her away from mom) and you are going to be so SPOILED! Your cousin Rocky can't wait to play with you and become besties. We love you sooo much!

    Love,
    your favorite Aunt Katie

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  41. Surprises are the best things ever and puppy surprises are even better!

    Shes a doll, Mama! Can't wait to watch her grow!! Floyd wants to know when he can come romp around with her!

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  42. Beautiful!! And I love the name. You will be the best parents!! :)

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  43. oh my goodness! that is a very cute little face. she is going to be so loved and have a great home! :) just wait until beau finds the mallard dog toy that quacks. my dogs love it.

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  44. SO cute! My parents' dog is named Oakley. Cute name.

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  45. love love love her already
    perfect dog for you two..knowing the family history is huge! I mean especially because of Beau's allergies, what if he had a trace of something else you didn't know about if you rescued him? Pure Bred is what you guys needed, it's what you guys have, and WILL ALWAYS HAVE. That little baby girl will be the most spoiled, loved, and energetic little puppy. Look at that yard she has to play in, plus the ranch. No doubt that girl will be the happiest little puppy. (advice: let it go, enjoy the day, and remember WHY YOU DID THIS...you didnt do this for anyone else but your family..who cares what others think)
    enjoy your puppy! Can't wait to stalk your insta for all the new pictures

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    1. Bless you child! Thanks for the support!! She is SO loved already! Beau keeps texting me pics of them lounging in front of the fire! She will definitely be ALL over insta...you already know! ;)

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  46. She is precious and I love ridgebacks! I want that to be our next pup :) Good luck with all the puppy stuff and I am going to HIGHLY suggest looking into BarkBox for her. It's a birchbox for dogs but it would definitely give you guys some ideas of what she likes and doesn't!

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  47. OMMMGGG!!! She is super cute! I want to reach through this screen and squeeze her. Congrats on the new addition to your family! And you know our story, we rescued our bully, but bought our dachshund from a breeder - loving them and giving them a good home is ALL that matters. Y'all are going to be wonderful parents to this little girl! Ugggh, I have puppy fever now. :)

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  48. She is just too precious for words! Congratulations!!!

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  49. oh my goodness, just too much cuteness here for me to handle!!

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  50. Girl you just keep on keeping on with your precious new baby girl and Beau. If you were having a baby and posting pictures, people wouldn't comment "I really wish you would have considered adoption." Would they? Smh. She is so stinking cute. Soak it up! XO

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  51. The puppy!!!
    Is it just me, or do you talk to Oakley (by the way, I like the spelling "Oakley") with a high pitched voice? lol. I talk to all dogs that way, I think.
    I can't wait to see more pictures! She's precious!! Big dogs are great :)

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  52. Ohhh she is so precious!!!! I love all the sweet picutres! The last one is so sweet of Oakley & Beau it perfectly captures the love of a man and his dog. I know everyone has an opinion on rescuing/buying from a breeder, I've done both. There are pros to both sides and it is a personal decision, and as long as the decision is based on all the right reasons and providing a home with lots of love for an animal - I think no judgement should be passed! Enjoy the pit patter of those sweet paws an ignore the nonsense!

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  53. HER FACE!!! SO wrinkley and floppy. How could you NOT LOVE that baby girl!?!?

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  54. I found your blog through searching for healthy recipes, so thank you! We have a female Rhodesian Ridgeback and she is the BEST dog we have ever had. She does shed a bit but she is very clean. We don't ever have to bathe her, she never gets stinky. She is a big girl, over 80 pounds but so well behaved. The puppy pictures are adorable, makes me want another!

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  55. Sweet baby girl! She is so darn adorable. I rescued my dog simply because I was a poor college grad who couldn't afford a breeder and it makes me sad that I have zero baby pictures of the little nugget. Bless you for standing up for yourself, people need to get off of their high horses! Enjoy your first fur momma weekend :)

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  56. too adorable! hide your shoes :)

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  57. Aww congratulations!! She's just precious!!!!

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  58. Breakfast in bed... cutest shot, ever!
    Enjoy your new babe.

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  59. OMG!!!! All of these rude comments are pissing me off. Being that I work at a vet and know a thing or two about an animal, I am glad you have a pure bred puppy! Granted, I believe in rescuing as well but people with allergies do NOT need to rescue. I see so many puppies come in from the pound with parvo, worms and everything else. Y'all made the right decision and everyone else can kiss it. By the way, DO NOT HAVE A CHILD!!! You should just go adopt. Hah! She is SO cute Steph! Congrats to you and Beau!

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  60. Adorable! Congrats. Take advantage of the puppy-ness...ours is turning one this weekend and I miss her littleness. She was so sweet at first...now she is a terror! :)

    Jill
    Classy with a Kick

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  61. Hi, Steph! I'm a long time reader, first time commenter. First, I want to say how much I love your blog. You keep it real and you crack me up! I look forward to reading everyday. I have to say how shocking some of these comments are. Please don't let rude people ruin your excitement about your new puppy. I got a puppy from a breeder a year and a half ago, and couldn't be happier with my decision. Oakley is absolutely precious! Enjoy this time with her. They are so much fun when they are little.

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  62. What a cutie pie!!!! Congrats :)

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  63. Congrats love!
    She is freaking precious!

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  64. I'm seriously in love with this dog! We seriously need a puppy date when Oakley gets a little bigger. (Not too big though! My little girl is only 40 lbs at a year old.)

    I can't believe the audacity of people to leave comments like that on your blog. It's so uncalled for. They don't know the backstory. It's so rude. I rescued my puppy but you do what you want!!

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    1. Right?! Thank you!! I have absolutely NOTHING against adopting a pet...nothing at all! I think it's great! We just wanted a very specific, 100% purebred ridgeback puppy, which you cannot find at a shelter. These puppies needed a home just as much as any other dog out there so we're giving her the best home she could ever hope for. She's hit the dog lottery, if you ask me! ;)

      Thanks, Whit!! And yes-play date!! I want to go to that bar called "The Bone Yard" where you can take your dog! Have you been there?!

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  65. Ah! She is too cute. Love it. I think oakley is the best spelling. :)

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  66. What a cutie! She reminds me a lot of my Boxer when he was a bitty baby. That wrinkly forehead is the sweetest thing! They grow so fast so snuggle her up and soak it all in; although the only thing better than snuggling with a sweet puppy is snuggling with a big love bug! Congrats on your new addition!

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  67. Oh my goodness, she is just the cutest most adorable puppy!! Congrats on the new member of your family!

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  68. holy cuteness!!! I have been wanting a puppy for a while now (the finance is so over hearing about it!), but ohmygoodness this did nothing to help me with my "puppy fever" :) too cute!

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