Huge News!!

Huge.  Life-changing.  Are you ready?

Jake and I are having... a PUPPY!  (My mom was sorely disappointed when I didn't finish that sentence with the B-word.  I reminded her that is is generally advisable to be living with your husband for that to happen!).

Ever since my first true love, Mindy, passed away a year and a half ago, I've been missing my furry friend.

Cutest puppy in the entire world.

I miss this sweet face!

19.5 years with Mindy!

Since grad school was not exactly the best time to get a puppy, I decided that after graduation would be a perfect time to add a new pal to the mix.  Jake was, well... not so enthralled with the idea.  It took a lot of convincing, but ultimately it was a matter of fairness.  If Jake gets to have dead animals (from hunting) in the house, I get live ones.  Only fair.

I knew it would have to be a non-shedding, "hypoallergenic" dog since I'm allergic to most shedding dogs.  Ideally, it would be a running dog, and on the small side to fit in our cozy house.  Well, except for the running dog part, I found the perfect fit!

Meet the Cavapoo (Cavalier Spaniel and Poodle mix).

Why yes, they are the cutest dogs in the world.  I found a breeder in Cali that is due with puppies at the end of March, so he/she will be ready to go home in May when I'm done with school!  It should be a white/red mix, and grow to be anywhere from 10-20 pounds.  

Here is a little about the Cavapoo (from the breeder's website):

Cavapoo

The Cavapoo possess all the sweetness of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the intelligence and hypoallergenic benefits of the poodle. They are compact, small to medium in size, and possess a round, expressive face. They are typically well-proportioned, agile, and sturdy. The Cavapoo is affectionate, loyal, and friendly. They are good-natured, playful, and social. They do well with children, dogs, and non-canine pets. Cavapoo's will bark to announce visitors and out of the ordinary sounds. They are very family oriented and do well if ignored or left alone for extended periods of time. 

I am beyond excited and can't wait to see the puppies when they're born and pick out ours! I have a feeling my blog may become the travel.run.live.love-my-puppy blog!  Since this dog probably won't be a running dog, I'll just have to get a second dog.  You may think I'm kidding, but I'm 100% serious. :) 

Feel free to leave boy or girl name suggestions... we're open to ideas!

Last goodbye...

On my last morning in San Diego, I did what any normal person would do.

Ran at Torrey Pines with my all-time fave training buddy, Dennis.

Does it get any better than this?

Took pictures of my apartment while holding back tears.

Stalled even longer by taking pictures of my apartment complex.

Finally convinced myself that I had to leave... so I packed up my car and made it 3 miles before needing to stop for one last amazing coffee and muffin from my favorite coffee shop, Pannikin.  Wouldn't you do the same?

Katherine, this gluten-free chocolate chip muffin would bring tears to your eyes.  (My BFF, Katherine has celiac disease. I can eat gluten, but this one tastes WAY better than the regular.  I like to think I'm eating it in her honor.) Of all the things I will miss from San Diego, this muffin comes out at the top of the list.

It was a looonnngggggg drive, but other than tears for the first 1/2 hour of the drive (and again 2 hours later), it was uneventful and without problems!  It was after that when I realized I would be arriving to my all-time favorite home-away-from-home, Casa de Griffins.  Knowing I will be staying with them for the next 2 months until graduation made leaving SD a lot easier!  I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful these people are.  LOVE them.  They told me yesterday that I will not be allowed to leave for Alaska, so we'll see who wins the Brittany custody battle: Jake vs. Griffins.  :)

Ashley is the cutest.

I have 5 days before my rigorous schedule begins again at Stanford with classes, finals, presentations, and practicums.  I will be studying my little behind off for the next month straight, so wish me good luck.  I will apologize in advance if you don't hear from me for a while.  Life is about to get crazy...