Rubyrubyrubyruby!

Last Monday, this cute puppy was running down the side of the highway near where I work. I called James to come to work to see her, because I thought she might be our dog. I've been called out to meet a puppy or two since we lost Sach (sweet girl), but no dog seemed right. I'm not sure that there's been a day that's passed that James hasn't asked, "Can we get a dog now? How about now?" But I have been a hold out. We had pretty much resigned ourselves to waiting to buy a house before we got another dog. Plus, I have to admit, I have kind of been enjoying not being responsible for a dog. I have been entertaining thoughts of travel! And winter days where I could stay inside! All day! BUT. Something about this puppy seemed different. She seemed sweet and easy (anyone wish to reminisce with me for a moment about the days of Puppy Sachi?). Plus, she was a rescue. Plus, winter in Austin? Please. They shouldn't even call it winter. Do you want to stay inside on 70 degree days? (Maybe, if you 've developed Cedar Fever, as the natives tell me I have, but otherwise, no). The shelters were called, the neighborhood was canvassed, and no one knew about this cute puppy. James met her, and in what seems like a complete blur, we now have a dog. I went to work and didn't have a dog. I came home and I did. I vaguely remember James saying, "I love her!" But other than that, pretty much a blur.

She's a good girl, so far (ever the optimist, I'm trying to remember at what age good puppies go bad). She can sit and she likes to be in her crate, and she's mostly house trained, already. Like, if I had had THIS dog first, I might have 10,000 dogs already. We're not sure she's the brightest lightbulb in the room, but she's sweet. She likes sunbeams.

Her name is Ruby Scout. Not like a ruby scout, as in someone who might guide you through a ruby mine in search of jewels, but Ruby Scout as in, the name Ruby stuck and I wanted Scout to stick and it didn't quite, and although I like the name (and love the book), I'd never name a human that, so might as well give it to the dog as a middle name. Emmaline suggested Guadalupe, which I think is great, because it's the name of a major street here. Too bad she was found on FM 969 instead of Guadalupe, because FM 969 doesn't really have a ring to it if you're shouting across a dog park. So, Ruby Scout it is. Say it in a southern accent. This basically ensures that James will read Cold Mountain and that I will be singing Kaiser Chiefs (Rubyrubyrubyruby!) and James will be singing Kenny Rogers for months to come (don't take your love to town, girl).

The vet suggested that she's a ridgeback mix. James thinks ridgeback mixed with lab. Holden thinks ridgeback mixed with I doesn't care what but aren't ridgebacks known as lion killers? This explains Holden's initial reluctance to warm up to our new pup.

I am a little concerned about the length of her legs and the size of her feet. I think I may have finally gotten the pony I always wanted. I hope she'll be a good running buddy.