It's a boy, part one.

Once the shock of Hagrid's passing let up a little bit, loneliness settled in. Hermione doesn't take up much space on the couch, and while she's probably the best snuggling dog ever - she throws herself into a perfect spoon - Saturday mornings just weren't the same without my Hagrid blanket.

After poking around the Leonberger Club of America website, clicking tons of links, scouring breeder sites, photographs, and pedigrees, I phoned Luanne Moede of BlueDrift Leonbergers. I think I got a half dozen words out before I burst into tears.

Luanne's girls, Rhumba and Junebug, were entertaining a handsome guest from Slovakia and love was in the air - along with a lot of dog hair. After some paperwork and nail-biting, we heard words that are music every expectant parent's ears: It's a Boy!!!

Actually, Rhumba had 6 boys and 2 girls, but one was all we needed to fill the tear-sodden hole in our lives. 10 weeks later Phil, Hermione, and I set out on a road trip to Wausau, Wisconsin to pick up our newest family member, BlueDrift's Bold Zweite Liebe, known to his friends as Fezzik.

The mighty lion leaves the safety of an aspen grove to stalk his camera...er, prey.
Or, Fezzik at 10 weeks old.

It took Hermione about 10 hours to go from less-than-thrilled to completely-in-love with her "little" brother, so by the time we got home from our road trip she was ready to introduce Baby Fezzik to the wonders of living in Nederland.

"This is where we bounce."

"This is how you play."

"I can do that!"

Since coming to live with us in October, Fezzik has learned so many important things, like "sit" gets you cookies and hugs, things that happen when you squat are probably best taken care of outside, don't chase cats into their hidey spots - the triple consequences being a.) cats have pointy parts that hurt when they get stuck in your nose, b.) the end that doesn't have pointy parts sprays something awful that makes Mommy give you a bath, and finally c.) growth spurts always happen when your head is stuck in a cat hidey spot. 

He's already devised his very own favorite game: Slow Motion Keep Away. It's a derivative of Slow Motion Escape. Leonbergers specialize in Slow Motion because it's pretty much their only forward gear.

Fezzik's greatest talent, however, is growing before your eyes.

Hermione is starting to catch on that he doesn't have to be treated like a china doll, at least not anymore. At 6 months old, he outweighs her by a good 30 pounds. I don't know if it's to her advantage or detriment that his skill at maneuvering his bulk is, oh, "lacking". Lacking is a good word. (See "Slow Motion Keep Away.")

And the chase is about to begin.

Come on, chase me.

Dammit, I said chase me.

Wait... Snow Snack.

Good. You're up. Chase me.

Woo-hoo!

All I can think of when Leonbergers run is the old Vonage commercials with the woo hoo woo hoo hoo music. 

So once again, our home is complete. We can resume our role as the people with "that dog."  And Saturday mornings can begin with a Fezzik blanket. Although Fezzik blankets lick a lot more than Hagrid blankets did.

This is what 6 months old looks like. 

Happy Half-Birthday, Baby Fezzik!! And Luanne, thank you. Thank you.