Tuesday, June 3, 2008

And Baby Makes Four!

I am proud to announce the newest addition to our family:

Harlan Boy
"HB"
Born: April 22, 2008
Welcomed Home: June 2, 2008
9 1/2 lbs of pure happiness!

After thirteen years with one beloved Labrador, it took us two, almost three years to open our hearts and our home again to a yellow dog. We were blessed beyond measure to find this adorably sweet-natured little boy yesterday evening. He is one of ten, with a black mother and a yellow daddy. We never imagined meeting another couple as crazy as we are about Labradors, but God got us to the right place at the right time last night.

We were able to have our pick of the litter, and we feel like we have chosen the very best one of the bunch. He is sweet, loving, cuddly, brave, and never cried a bit during the night. Of course, he was sleeping in the bed with me, but still - he was a very brave little fellow.

You may be wondering about his name. Yes, it does have meaning - especially to me. Not only do I think it is just a cool name for a (soon to be) big ole cuddly Labrador, and not only does it sound NOTHING like my first dog baby's name (a definite pre-requisite, this dog is not a replacement, so his name had to be original!) but it is the name of a favorite character from my years of watching Guiding Light. Harlan Billy "HB" Lewis, the character portrayed for many years by actor Larry Gates, was a cuddly, lovable old southern gentleman and everyone loved him. He was smart, could be sassy, always clever and eternally wise. Those he loved, he loved completely, and he was loyal to all he called his family. At the height of the character's career on the soap opera, I actually knew a man who looked and acted a lot like this character. He was someone else's granddaddy, but I loved him like he was my own. His name was Marvin, but I always thought of him as my "HB". So, when it came time to pick a name for this new love of my life, the thought of many days in his company and many nights to come with him curled at my feet, the name of the sweet old southern gentleman character easily crept into my mind.

I will say that in the interest of democracy, I attempted to dazzle my little family with a long list of many other names, no one name really stuck, and finally I was given the okay to grant him the moniker of my choice. They can't complain now!!

So, from puppy dog heaven,
I am
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly


2 comments:

The Gang's Momma! said...

aaaaawwwww! what a cutie!

and again, further proof of why i love you from afar! gl was my favorite soap in college - saw it in the beth and lujack years in high school a couple times, but got hooked on it during college with my roomie!

yes, it's a great name for a doggie gentleman :)

Mama Bear said...

oh what a handsome guy!!!