Puppy for the Empty Nest

Before our kids were born our beloved Pepper, a little poodle-mix, was our "child". She began taking second fiddle after Scott, and then Elizabeth was born. We still loved her, but she was no longer our "baby" in the same way.

I find myself reverting. I didn't even realize I might have empty nest syndrome until a puppy came into our home in November. (Our last dog had died about 8 years ago.)

While I adore our cat, Spooky, who has been with us for about 3 years, cats will only tolerate so much "love". And Spooky is a pretty self-sufficient guy, for an indoor cat.

Well, I have a new "baby" and a couple times I actually slipped...and called her by our daugher's name! YIKES! Please...don't tell Elizabeth. I don't think she would be flattered.