Yes...yesterday was my birthday....the big 5-9.  And yes....as you've probably guessed from the photo taken yesterday.....this is my birthday present.  Ray had asked (repeatedly) what I wanted....I really didn't want or need anything, BUT.....I did want a puppy.  Since we moved to Cedar Key and then Holly turned 5 years old in December, I've been hinting for a puppy for both Holly and me.  As you can see, Ray granted my wish.

So meet Duncan.....a 6 week old Scottish Terrier.....and formally known as McDuncan of Cedar Key.  As with most things in my life, this was meant to be.  When I arrived in Augusta, Georgia last Wednesday I scanned the pets for sale section of the paper....and there was an ad for Scottish Terriers in Jackson, SC, which is right across the river from Augusta.  I called the breeder and found out she had a wheaten color one still available.  First I called Ray to tell him and then I asked Bill, my co-author and driver to and from Augusta, if he'd be willing to take me to the breeders home to see him.  We did that Sat. afternoon and it was love at first sight!  We did all the paperwork, spent some time with him and his litter mates and mom and dad....Mom is Polly and she's black and Dad is Bobby and also the wheaten color.  I threw around about 20 names for him and then came up with the good Scottish name of Duncan. 

Bill and I picked him up yesterday morning and then began the 8 hour drive back to Florida.  I made a Petsmart run on Sat. afternoon and stocked up on blanket, carrier, a few toys, water and food bowl and was prepared for the worse on the drive.  I have to proudly say Duncan was amazing!  I held him for awhile and then put him in the back seat in his carrier, we made a few pit stops and he did fantastic.  Then came introducing him to Holly, Marcel, Ralph and Foster.....Every one of them accepted him extremely well.  And yup, good ole Holly is back to being a mama again.  She hovers over him, runs to him if he whimpers, makes sure he doesn't tumble down the few steps on the porch and Duncan adores her!  Another case of love at first sight.  And his first night here also went much better than I expected....I put him in his carrier in the bedroom at 10 when I went to bed, he whimpered for a few minutes and then slept straight through till 4:30 this morning.....not bad at all for a 6 week old puppy on his first night.  And the potty training.....only one tiny accident so far.  He likes going out in the yard and Holly is right there with us.

I had admired the looks of a Scottish Terrier for years but truly didn't know much about their breed.  The breeder told me about them on the phone and then I got a book.....a perfect breed for us.  Not a pansy dog, Scotty's are rough and tumble dogs, intelligent, self-confident, playful and affectionate.  They grow to 10 to 11 inches and around 20 to 25 pounds, just perfect to romp with Holly.  One thing both the breeder said and I read in the book, they must be socialized with people even more than other breeds....an easy thing to do here on the island.  We plan to take him and Holly downtown later this afternoon on the golf cart and start introducing him to everyone. 

So yes, I'm literally in pet heaven and our home is now complete.  I also want to thank Bill for allowing me to drive back with Duncan and for the run to Petsmart and the breeders house.  And....if you're interested in purchasing an excellent AKC Scottish Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer or Schnoodle please contact my breeder, Jeannie Franklin in Jackson, SC at 803-471-3858.  I was really fortunate to find such a great breeder.  The pups are kept in the house, Jeannie is a caring and professional breeder, does not interbreed and truly cares about the pups getting a good home.  She sent me on our way with a packet of information, food, a few toys for Duncan, etc.  I called her this morning to give her an update and plan to keep in touch with her.

So I'd say it was an exceptional birthday for me.  The conference also went very well and I'll blog on that tomorrow.  Here's another photo of Duncan and I'll see you tomorrow.