Madrid Again

Winter Break time again and the solution to our travel dilemma was easy: let's go see family in Madrid! Getting to non-rev in the winter is usually pretty easy but of course this time around that wasn't exactly the case. We were looking at a flight that only had about half a dozen open seats. No bueno. But we went for it anyway and the payoff was huge. Just as I started to think we wouldn't get on, Nacho had a screen with our cleared names on it and we were pushing back from the gate in no time. I had arranged a dog sitter on the condition that we might be returning home that first night. So luckily, she was open to the concept of us going on standby and paying her for only what we used. It was all coming together so well that the flight over felt like a dream. Well, for 3/4 of us who made it into the last seats in first class. Sorry, Nacho. But seeing him from the first row of coach was kind of sadly pathetic. He could only smell my meal and sniff all that booze...and true story, I didn't know when I was packing if we were going to Madrid or possibly hopping on a later flight to visit Carmen and Leonardo in Toronto. So I packed a wintery mix of sweaters and such and then later learned that Madrid was going to be in the upper 60s and sunny (of course). So landing and feeling like late spring was kind of hilarious and we all had to improvise some outfits. But hey, that's a good problem to have. 

It was a whirlwind 5 day trip to see Nacho's family and get to check in on their lives. We are lucky to spend every summer with them but seeing them off-season is just as nice. Merche continues to recover from her health problems of last summer and there were three big family outings at restaurants for us to all catch up and share some delicious food. That's something I really enjoy about being in Spain--we all get to dress up, show up and let the meals come to us. And when we're not eating out, of course, we have abuela stuffing us with her good food. So excuse me if I don't come back the same weight. It's too delicious to worry about. Getting to visit the Plaza Mayor on its 400th birthday for a light spectacle that Saturday evening was just icing on the cake. Nacho and I didn't have much alone time in the city but that was okay too. We brought the girls to the river area for a brief meet up with Felipe and Montse and Silvia, and the playgrounds were a huge hit. Knowing someone was taking good care of Bailey back home made the whole vacation that much more enjoyable. And seeing her little face again after our absence was pure gold. Nacho was covered in kisses and hugs and the girls almost seemed interested in playing with her again. All in all, a good use of our winter break and ready to visit again come summer!

Meet Bailey

Well, we did it! We brought home a puppy this past weekend. It was time. Or rather, it was never going to be the right time. The list of excuses was always going to be there, and the desire to have this experience--for the girls to know what it is like to raise a pet--was only growing stronger now that we have a house and a yard. I fully admit this was my ambition as much as theirs and all my subtle cajoling of Nacho over the years finally started to soften him up to the possibility. I promised this dog would not impact our travel (his biggest fear) and I promised to do the bulk of the heavy lifting when it comes to her care. And yes, I said 'her.' We didn't know at first which sex we were interested in and I heard pluses and minuses for both. But since we were going with a breeder who had both available, it was really just a matter of choice. And here's where I'll come clean on the whole breeder vs. adoption/rescue angle. We looked at both. I applied for more young dogs online than I can even mention. It was a long, arduous process with lots of background checking and proving over and over again that we are good people who are serious about this upkeep. I get it. I really do. But part of me was also getting exasperated and a bit resentful. Do you really need to see the deed to my house? I told you I own it. I do not have a landlord that will make me forfeit the dog. Do you really need to do a FaceTime walk through of my house as well as an in-person with ALL family members? And each time, the dog we inquired about was gone before we could even meet them. Orchestrating all of that just before the holidays was probably part of the problem. But it all felt like such a pain in the ass. The fact that our friends Kerry and Antoin were going to a breeder in MA who has several dogs living in Sunnyside already was just another possibility to consider. It also helped that the breed--a Whoodle or Wheaten Terrier/Poodle mix--was hypo-allergenic and doesn't shed. If I had a checklist of what I wanted for my girls it would be a friendly, sweet pup who doesn't shed or bark a lot and who could really be there from infancy to grow with them. Carolina especially needed the chance to see a dog raised right and raised to be gentle with her so that we don't reinforce her fears about them. Elisa was going to be easier either way, but I also wanted a dog that would be affectionate and not scared of its own shadow for her. She needed that much. And so here we are. And it's wonderful. 

Who's a cozy puppy?

Still a little timid out in the yard the first few days

Bailey came into her name just a few days before we met her. I'd told the girls to wait and to let us get a look at the right pup before picking the name, but they couldn't resist coming up with their favorite names. Elisa liked Penelope and Carolina preferred Sandy. When I read from a list of female dog names and said "Bailey" they BOTH jumped at it. Success! And meeting her for the first time was kind of crazy, but we found the right dog for us. I was having a really hard time figuring out if we were getting the cutest, calmest, sweetest pup and I wanted to let the girls guide it. But I was also trying to keep things flexible. There were a few real cuties who were just so outgoing. I was a bit unsure they wouldn't overwhelm us all. Bailey was one of two girls hanging back in the crate with her shy, snuggly sister. Neither cared a lick that we were there to play and pet them. I had to actually drag her out and get a look since I was trying to figure out which one we'd seen on the FB posts. And to be honest, I'm pretty sure Bailey isn't that girl. But she was just so sweet and calm with us that day. I felt a twinge of regret about the chocolate more poodle looking girl (aka Trouble, a moniker given to her by the breeder--never a good sign). Carolina really like that one too, so I was trying to hold out judgement until the last minute. But Elisa was firm and she had Bailey in her arms and it was the look that said "mom, we have our puppy." And we did. We reunited the pups Kerry and I took home this weekend and it was total chaos and fun. Murphy is Bailey's brother and he's a lively little guy with light caramel looks and a really playful disposition. They jumped into sibling poking and prodding without any trouble and Bailey got pretty agitated at one point so we backed off but it was all good. Kids and puppies are so similar that I'm finding this whole experience to like having a third child. And I'm trying to set limits and maintain control much more with Bailey. And so far, it's working out well. We're a week and half into our life with her and she's still having a few accidents but really she's happy and sweet and so, so fun. The girls have such pride in their faces when they show her off. And I know she's a real family member because they've already gotten bored with her. Yeah, sounds about right. But seriously, she will be more fun in a few months when we can walk her up to the dog park and hang out. Our lives have taken such a turn here in the suburbs and everything feels so different, yet the same. Having a puppy seems to make sense for us and I'm so happy we had the courage to try.