Lessons Learned from 'Nilla

• Friends who get new puppies like to show them off.
• These friends should be avoided.
• Because Puppy Fever is very contagious.
• 11 year old boys are especially vulnerable.
• Once an 11 year old boy catches puppy fever, he can only say "puppy".
• ... even in his sleep.
• ... until he figures out how to say, "I'll do all the work"
• Soft hearted moms who have a touch of Puppy Fever believe this.
• Puppy fever causes these moms to forget the daily arguments over who is going to feed the older dog who's Not A Puppy Anymore.
• Puppy Fever engulfs entire families in less than 24 hours.
• Except for the one teenager who is perfectly happy with his Not A Puppy Anymore.
• No one listens to teenager when he tries to talk sense into all the Puppy Fever sufferers.
• Puppy Fever becomes critical when you are watching Labrador Puppies playing together.
• Puppy Fever becomes terminal when a Lab Puppy jumps in your lap and falls asleep.
• Lab Puppies chew on seat belts.
• Lab Puppies chew on 8 year old Labs.
• Lab Puppies can turn a perfectly calm, well behaved 8 year old Lab into a Grumpy Old Dog.
• Lab Puppies chew on shoes.
• Lab Puppies chew on toes.
• Lab Puppies chew on furniture.
• Lab Puppies can somehow make teenagers immune to Puppy Fever start to fall in love with them.
• Lab Puppies chew on Wii Game cords.
• Teenagers can fall out of love with Puppies as quickly as they fell in love with them.
• Lab Puppies pee.
• A Lot!
• Like every 30 minutes or so! Seriously!
• 11 Year Old boy keeps his end of the bargain and chases Puppy around house with Paper Towels.
• Fortunately Lab Puppy Pee doesn't really smell.
• Lab Puppy Poo, on the other hand, is toxic!
• 11 Year old boys don't have to clean up the poo!
• Lab Puppies chew on cook books.
• Lab Puppies pee on dirty clothes.
• Lab Puppies chew on dirty clothes.
• It is virtually impossible to completely puppy proof a home.
• Grumpy Old Dogs don't like to share their toys.
• Grumpy Old Dogs don't like to share their people.
• Grumpy Old Dogs don't like to share their space.
• Grumpy Old Dogs are generally grumpy.
• Lab Puppies don't sleep as much as you might think.
• Lab Puppies give 11 Year Old boys, who have claimed full responsibility, nervous breakdowns.
• 11 Year Old boys hearts break when they realize they can't handle all the responsibility that comes with a puppy.
• Moms and Dads hearts break when they see 11 year old boys with broken hearts.

'Nilla (Dillon named her because she was white, like Vanilla) is a beautiful, smart puppy. She will make someone a perfect dog. But even though she was cute as all get out, we just could not fit her into our busy family. Jim and I are kicking ourselves for not realizing this before we brought her home.. but, on the other hand, she taught Dillon exactly how much work Puppies are. And they should never be acquired on impulse. 'Nilla is now back with her littermates, awaiting another family who can handle her and give her all the time she deserves. Dillon lost a nights sleep and a little piece of his heart... But he gained a huge lesson in responsibility. He made the decision to give her up, knowing it was the best thing for her and our family.. even though his heart just wanted to snuggle with her forever. Jim and I are very proud of him. And our family will always remember the 24 hours we shared with 'Nilla. I'm still finding places she peed and things she chewed!