An addition to the family

Well, we've taken the plunge! We've been talking about it for the two and a half years since we moved to Somerset and have finally decided that the time is right to get a dog. We decided to get a puppy from a breeder rather than a rescue dog since this will be our first time and we want the fun of a puppy, and no baggage from previous unhappy experiences.

Of course, once we'd decided, there wasn't a puppy to be found, but suddenly a friend of a friend had a litter of puppies and we went to look at them on Monday.

It's a litter of cocker spaniels, one dog and four bitches. They weren't asleep the whole time we were there, but when they were awake we were holding one or another of them, so these are the only chances I had to take photographs.

And this is the one we've chosen. They were only four weeks old, so we'll have to be patient for another four weeks. We haven't decided on a name for her yet. We'll be visiting again several times in the next few weeks, so will get a chance to take some more photographs and for her to start to get to know us.

It's beginning to sink in now!