Chantelle Says: 8 Weeks Later: A Puppy Story

Hi Friends,

I know the world is a scary and uncertain place right now. Every day brings new information and new stories - both terrifying and uplifting. In an effort to help lift your spirits a little more, here's a happy little story about our newest family member, Bentley.
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8 Weeks Later

Last March, we had to unexpectedly say goodbye to our sweet baby, Samson (also known as Bean to all of our friends and family). Losing my furry little man was one of the most painful experiences of my life; the grief was overwhelming. After all of the people I've lost, you'd think I'd be better at this, but no - this was a whole new type of pain.

After we lost Bean, something odd started happening. Anytime I needed to write the date numerically, I would accidentally turn my 3 into an 8. This happened over and over and over again. Pretty soon, all of my 3's were becoming 8's on everything, not just dates.

I, being the believer in "signs" that I am, tried to figure out what that meant. My assumption was something good was going to happen in August. A new puppy or three, perhaps?!? I had no idea what, but I was game for anything happy at that point.

To my surprise, almost 8 weeks later to the day, we found our new little man. Coincidence? Maybe. But for me, this was my sign.

Bentley, my little Tater Tot, is the complete opposite of Samson. It's exactly what our household needed, to be shaken up with a new personality.

Where Samson was all love, Bentley is all fight. He is fiery and destructive and yes, still a little lovable ball of cuddles. A little lovable destructor who, we're pretty sure, wants to rule (and possibly destroy) earth.

Samson hated being outside for long, he hated gravel, he hated nature for the most part. Bentley can't get enough of it. He loves everything about the outside and, if he could, would live in our backyard full time. He has made tunnels in our rose bushes, he scavenges for rocks, he leaps over things he's most definitely not supposed to leap over; he's the furry version of Bear Grylls.

Samson was loud and talkative his whole life. Bentley isn't much for barking or whining, but he loves to growl. He growls when he's happy, when he's hungry, when he's tired or scared or sleepy or playful or excited or... you get the idea. Growling is his language. He's also the handsy-est pup I've ever met. He loves putting his little paws on your face, all four if he can manage. He likes to tap you when he wants your attention and, mainly, he likes to gives kisses with one little paw on your cheek the whole time.

Samson's base setting was happy; he was all love, all day. He was easy to raise in almost all senses. Bentley has every emotion possible and is, therefore, more complex. One minute he is all joy and wiggles, the next he's resource guarding your lap because he doesn't want you to move. He is wicked smart, and that means he's also wicked stubborn. We've learned a lot this past year in puppy parenting.

Bentley has been a great addition to our family. While we now have three holes in random places in our carpet (thank goodness we held off on the new flooring!) we also have so much happiness in our home. He's my little Tater Tot. My Tiny Terror. My Baby Bojangles with his jingly jangly puppy legs, going all directions when he was first getting the grasp of running around.

We don't deserve animals. They're too good and pure and loving. But thank goodness we get to love them.

Maybe now that you're stuck at home for a while, you can get that pet you've always wanted. If you do, make sure you can give them a forever home. They deserve your love for their whole life, because you'll be their whole world for all of theirs.