Meet Lucca!

B and I have been talking about getting another dog since the spring. We really felt like as chaotic as our life can be, that we were missing out. Rascal had Tito for years and has been alone for awhile...we didn't like that and he seemed to be turning into a "grumpy old man" of a dog. He has always done well with the kids. Never a nip or bite, but he isn't exactly playful. He never has been. Tito had a "baby" that squeaked everywhere he went. He wanted to play tug of war and he liked you getting down on the floor and playing with him.

Rascal is the opposite. He has no toys, as he doesn't play with them. He doesn't do tricks or play fetch. He's great to snuggle on the couch with, he's protective and he's a great little vacuum. He likes to look out the window and late in the evenings he loves to be petted. But he seemed lonely. Lots of naps in his days!

So we had been casually keeping an eye out for a dog. Originally I thought we'd be able to adopt a dog from another US family that would be moving. Pets can be expensive especially when traveling and unfortunately over here several get "pushed aside" so to speak. Well our issue was we needed a dog that we knew Bubba would do okay with. While he is "allergic" to dogs, he's never had a problem with Rascal. It's long-haired dogs and heavy shedders that he has a problem with. So we couldn't adopt just any dog, it needed to be a min pin, a Yorkie, a Maltese or mini dauschaund... A breed that we knew he would tolerate.

So we looked for puppies...yeah for €800 no thank you. So I watched the shelters but again, mostly big dogs. Finally I found an ad online for a litter of 3 dogs, the ad said they were Maltese/Miniature Pinscher mix. Sweet! Maltese are hypoallergenic and we know Bubba does fine with min pins! I talked to our Italian friend Manuela who graciously agreed to help us out. She called the seller, made arrangements for us to come meet the dogs and then went with us to translate. Long story short, we got a puppy. He is two months old and we named him Lucca:

We have had him a week now and in that time he has learned his name, gotten so used to his kennel that he willingly rests in it, and seems to really understand the while house training thing. He hasn't peed in the house in two days, but poop is another story. We're working on it though. Once today and as soon as I said "Lucca No!" He stopped and headed toward the door.

While Lucca and Rascal aren't sharing a kennel and curling up together just yet, they do get along well. They share a food dish and lay near each other. Rascal hasn't nipped or barked at Lucca...he tolerates him well.
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