Meet Desmond McDreamy Hanson

We have a dog! (We don't know if that's really going to be his name but it's a start!)

True, it looks like a stuffed animal, but no...it's real. I have been thinking about this for awhile, it DID happen pretty quickly. So I'll just start with Saturday Morning. 

Mike went to work and I was at home alone. I got online and started thinking about his Bday and Fathers day gifts. What the heck do I get him??? I'm so tired of Shirts, Shoes, Underwear, and stuff he won't really use. So I got on KSL.com and started looking at the cute puppies. All kinds of puppies. It's extremely addictive!!! Cuteness on every page!!! So, I ran into this cute mini Schnauzer puppy named Zeus. My heart skipped a beat! He was so handsome. Oh man, he was so NOT cheap. I called Don Stirling and told him what I was thinking about doing and asked his opinion. He told me I should do it! Mike loves everyones dogs; even the ugly ones! I really felt like it was time and I knew no other dog breed would be ok for him. He's a schnauzer guy. I wanted and Standard or a Giant but you can't find those around here anywhere, and we don't have THAT kind of money. 

So, I went to visit the breeder, Deziree; just to check them out. I was dying! They were all so sweet. oh man...how do I get out of this house WITHOUT a puppy...there had to be a way. But I couldn't find it. So...I left...puppy in hand, nervous beyond belief. I had no idea how Mike would take it. He has made it very clear that he's done having animals, done with the heartache when they die, but I remember, the LOVE Mike has for other peoples pets!! I just knew he needed his own again. 

"Puppy" spent the afternoon with the Andrus' and while Mike and I went out with Jim and Jen Andrus That night I kept trying to decide when to give this dog to him. I decided at the last minute, after the date was over that I needed to surprise him that night, alone, without the kids, just in case things didn't go well. I wanted him to feel whatever feelings he would have, without an audience. 

(Those of you who know Mike, know just how hard Stockton's passing was on him)

So, it was almost 10:00 pm and I ran to the grocery store for some things for Sunday dinner. After that I stopped at Andrus' where Deanne DeGraw was waiting for me with a crate to borrow. I wrote  out a B day card, took the puppy and went home. 

OMG! this was getting scary!  

I sat the crate on the Washer and took the card to Mike. I told him to let me know when he was done reading the card and I would come back. 

Instead, Mike came walking through the kitchen toward me in the Laundry room where the puppy was! I just pretended like it was no big deal that he was standing in the laundry room right next to the crate!! 

We finished our conversation and he turned to walk away...he was almost gone...then he turned back...and saw the crate. DANG!

"What's this?", he asked. 

"A crate", I said. 

"What's in it?", he asked. 

"A puppy", I said. 

"Who's Puppy?", He asked, getting more and more suspicious. 

"It could be yours, if you want it to be." I said. (Sheepishly)

He started to cry, demanding that it wasn't true. Saying that I wouldn't do that to him.  I took the puppy out and handed it to him. It was a Schnauzer. He was a mess. We sat on the wood floor for an hour. He'd pick up the puppy and nuzzle him, and cry, then he'd put him down and tell me all the reasons why he doesn't want a dog. Then he'd pick him up again. This went on and on. Again, I was glad I did it that night while the kids were gone. 

When Nate got home and saw the pup, he giggled like a little girl. hehehehehe!

Obviously, we're keeping him...how do you say no to this much sweetness??? 

Mike and his sister Nancy

As you can see, friends just had to come see the sweet new baby. The kids were all so excited! Andrus', DeGraws, Westons, and Sanders all got a chance to love on him a little bit. Monday morning he was mauled all over again by some more great friends.