In Praise of a Nanny State

Nope, not going all political on you.

But our newest family member has gotten an official job title.

See this young lad?

Dylan Dog at the Beach House, January 6, 2013.

We adopted him the weekend that Hurricane Sandy blew in.

He came with baggage -- suitcases and trunks just stuffed with crazy.

Among Dylan's endearing quirks was not sleeping through the night.

Having a dog wake you two, three times a night,

to go out, gets old really fast.

Cue the newest player in this family drama:

Our own Mary Poppins.

Last Saturday, just 4 short days ago, we adopted this lady:

She is an 8-year old Ruby Cavalier.

A breeder got many, many puppies out of this sweet dog,

and then handed her to Rescue to find a forever home for her.

I admit it -- I am a sucker for older gals with saggy bellies.

Her given name, Emunah, which means "Faith" in Hebrew,

proved too cumbersome and hard to remember, so we have 

given this dog a brand new moniker:

Gilda.

She's a gorgeous redhead, like Rita Hayworth, who immortalized

the part of Gilda in the film noir movie of the same name.

Luckily, Cavalier Rescue placed her with the same foster "mom" who

had cared for Dylan, and she realized that we needed this mama dog.

"I may look all grown up, but inside I'm a little boy who needs a real Mama."

And we do.  Because guess who is sleeping through the night now?

Yes, all of us -- Gilda, Dylan, and Howard and I.

Gilda has taken on the role of Nanny to Dylan.

He follows her, gives her shy little kisses, snuggles up for naps, and

yesterday, he let her lick off a peanut-butter-filled spoon with him.

That's a first. 

So thank you, Foster Mom Adriane, for steering us to this

sweet little retired Mama, who is luxuriating

in the pampering and attention she was not used to getting.

Good news -- making progress on the de-Christmasing.

There may be pictures for tomorrow!  -- Cass

Because Gilda is most definitely

 a redhead, I'm linking

to the Rednesday blog party

at It's A Very Cherry World.  

Click here!

PS  Thank you for all the great name suggestions for Emunah/Gilda.  I personally was very tempted

to name her "Golda Meir," but decided to go with glamour instead of political power!