I'm fairly certain that the blogosphere is writing about what happened eight years ago, September 11, 2001. BJ and I watched a two hour documentary about 9/11 last night and wow, it all came back as if it had happened yesterday. I was once again devastated for those that lost loved ones on that day, and devastated for the fear that day brought to our citizens. I have not forgotten.

Today I'm going to write about something wonderful that happened to us eight months ago; January 11, 2009. That wonderful event was the day we brought this cute little thing home.



Einstein is nine months old and still a little pain in the patoot sometimes, but I am grateful every.single.day that he's ours to love and cherish. Not a day (maybe even hour?) goes by that he doesn't do something to make us laugh. Sometimes, my heart just goes to complete mush when I see some of the looks he gets on his face. He's the cutest little guy ever.

Sure, Einstein is still a puppy and is going to do puppy things, like want to play when we're eating, or getting a little too mouthy when he's playing with us. In time, as long as we reinforce the behavior that we expect (BJ....), he's going to be a GREAT dog.

I can't remember the last time he's chewed on something he's not supposed to. It's been literally months. He's a good little walker (for me... BJ thinks it's better for Einstein to run around and sniff everything... SUCKER!). He *never* potties where he's not supposed to potty. And, best of all he's a great little cuddler.

Sometimes when I forget what joy looks like, all I have to do is see his happy face when he's at the dog park, going for a walk, or even just playing fetch in the back yard (or house... I'm naughty that way.) He's the most joyful little dog I've ever encountered.

Here's to eight months of extra love and joy in this home and to many years more.