Welcome to the family Miles!

One month ago we added a special member to our family. We adopted Miles. A 5-month-old, brindle and white, American Staffordshire Terrier mix. Yes! Kyle and I have become first-time pit bull owners! Let me tell you, I have never had a dog that cuddled as much as this little guy. This dog is really something special (of course, I say all my pets have that "something special").

What were we THINKING? A puppy? Kyle and I promised we never get a puppy. We knew that one had to be a gluten for punishment to "want" a puppy. But something struck me about this guy. I see hundreds of pets move through the halls of the SPCA; but there was special something about this one. Hitch (Miles' name while at the shelter) was a transfer to our SPCA from the local county shelter. Our AMAZING animal care staff pulled Miles out of the isolation room. He was being treated for a cough. I can't tell you *just how lucky he was* to make it out of that room alive! After the whirlwind trip the county shelter has been on lately, we are so lucky the SPCA's animal care staff brought him to the safe confines of the our shelter. 

Once Hitch recovered from his neuter surgery, it was time for him to go up for adoption. He was in the SPCA's adoption program for a couple days when... dun dun DUUUUNN: He had to go to bite quarantine. The 5-month-old puppy was being just that, a puppy. His sharp puppy teeth broke the skin of a volunteer, and policy calls that Hitch go on bite hold for 10 days. His "hard time" was served in the back room of the SPCA. This is where I fell in love with him. During that week, whenever I needed to take a break from my computer, I went back to get cuddles in the hold room. One thing led to another, and Hitch started coming home with me at night. Then he'd go back to work with me in the morning. That lead to him serving out "his sentence" in my cubicle. Then going home with me at night again. We had one "trial" week with him before he was released from bite hold with "Time Served." It was now that we had to make decision. He was going to be available for adoption to the public the next day. Kyle and I fell in love with this cuddly pup; he got along great with Duncan, and enjoyed hanging out with our two cats! 

We had talked about adopting another dog for over a year (off and on, Kyle would say). I felt in my heart it was time. We are an active family, and wanted an active dog to go running, hiking and traveling with us! Hitch seemed to fit the bill. Big D (AKA Duncan) is our cold-weather cuddle bug... but in the NC heat, we feel guilty taking him out with us sometimes. Plus Duncan (who's wears a constant poker face) didn't seem to care about the possibility of a new addition. When we discussed it with him he burped, turned his head and starred at the closet door. He sat starring at it as if pondering, how long it has been there... (that pretty much sums up Big D to a "T").

So one Friday night we put Hitch in the crate, and we seriously discussed his adoption over borritos at our favorite Mexican joint. We both had a come-to-Jesus about puppy ownership. Was this something we really wanted to take on?

Then a sign: I checked my email that evening. An adoption counselor who knew I was interested in adopting emailed me that it was 3 years to-the-day, we adopted our precious cat Riff Raff. Kyle put his hand on my lap, and we knew it was meant to be. 

Hitch, now Miles, became ours that next morning! So far Miles has learned: Sit, Stay, Beg, and Leave It commands. Psssst... did I mention he's house trained? Say what!!! It's true. But we are still working on his "complaining" when we leave him alone. Good thing is, his complaints aren't anything a yummy, juicy KONG can't fix. Beyond his "Oh, I'm a poor, little puppy and don't want to be left alone" complaints, he's a good office dog at work. 

Miles' adoption may explain why I've neglected this blog the last couple weeks. Now that our new puppy routine is solidified (somewhat) I'm excited to jump back in the blogosphere!