meridian_rose | Happy news

After the awfulness of January

Winter, the husky, was very upset and chewing her paws. So brother in law decided they needed new puppy immediately, though my sister was willing and ready to wait. They've never had a labrador before, though Mara was a Malamute/Labrador cross. We all had ideas about what breed we'd like but this one was available, within a reasonable distance, affordable, and from a good background.

They picked him up on Friday and of course he is adorable and I fell in love the moment I saw him on Saturday.
After much debate he got his name the Thursday before, Rufus. Something everyone liked and could say and which wouldn't be embarrassing to yell across the field or have the vet announce ;)
It means 'red/reddish' and I don't know how well these pics show it, but while one of his sisters was almost pure white, he's got lovely red waves across his back and head.

He shares his birthday with my older nephew, 11th December, so he's just over 9 weeks old. There were only 4 in his litter which might be another reason he's already so big. Not quite Clifford the Big Red Dog but he's going to be a large dog.
You can see his paw in my sister's hand in one photo, and I'm holding him in the second pic; while we're only short ourselves, I think that gives an idea of size.

Winter barked when they brought him home, unusual for her as she loves playing with other dogs. But now they're playing together and he's a bundle of energy inbetween naps, and she's enjoying herself as Benji wouldn't play much the last couple of years as he was older and didn't want to playfight much.
Lyra the cat is Not Impressed but I'm sure she'll put him in his place soon enough, below her, just as everyone else in the house is :)

We still miss Benji but having a new puppy has brought new happiness.