Today is Tessa’s 4-year anniversary with us. April 21 is “Tessa Day.”
Four years ago, we brought a 3.8-lb. puppy into our home and she changed our lives forever!
I can’t handle the cuteness of the pose. This is when she was still known as “Little Red.”
She and I spent the first afternoon getting to know each other, but it was like we had an instant bond. She knew I was going to be her mama, and truthfully, favored me from the very beginning.
Coming home to a new family is exhausting!
(I nearly died when she first rolled over in my lap and slept like this. SO. CUTE.)
The first few weeks with her were rough. We were actually really lucky because aside from the very first night, she started sleeping through the night immediately. Can’t ask for much more than that! But when we had to go back to work after that first weekend, we’d come home to a puppy who was completely energized and would NOT. LIE. DOWN. until she completely wore herself out just before bed. Also, we had to watch her like a hawk because even though she was pretty good, she could pee on the floor at any moment. Ahh… I do not miss the days of potty training.
But look at how little and adorable she was! As big of a pain as she was, I was in love.
The other thing she would do that was super annoying was that she would attack my pant legs. I couldn’t put on pants. I couldn’t take off pants. I couldn’t walk down the hallway. Not without her biting at my legs. I could’ve kicked her into the next county, it was so frustrating.
But we stuck it out. Through the potty training. Through the ankle-biting. Through the exhaustion from trying to keep up with her.
There were a lot of nights like this. After playing with her, desperately trying to wear her out, I would eventually “force” her to lie down with me, and well, a mama-puppy dual nap would result. THANK GOD.
Things got better. She grew older. She stopped attacking my pant legs. She got the hang of potty training. And although she loved us unconditionally from the very beginning, we learned to love her unconditionally, too.
Today, we look back and can’t believe that it has been four years. We look back and can’t believe it’s ONLY been four years. We look back and can’t quite remember what our lives were like before her.
Happy Anniversary, Tessa girl.
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About
I'm Heather. I'm 33 and have been married to Michael for seven years. Together, we have two beautiful little girls we love more than anything, and a miniature dachshund who drives us crazy. I'm a full-time working mom who has very little time for my own "stuff" these days, like home improvement, cooking/baking, cake decorating, and photography. Despite the team not making the playoffs since 1999, I'm STILL a Buffalo Bills fan, which I think speaks to my loyalty AND sense of humor. I can't wait to pick up the pace with travel again some day... you know, when we're done being ruled by tiny fists. Welcome to my blog.
So cute!! That photo of baby Tessa is possibly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
She is going to be a great big sister.
So cute. Our dog Bella sleeps like that too, it’s hilarious!
Awww! Love the puppy pictures! I so feel you on the puppy days of energy and sleepless nights. Oh wait, I’m still there:) She’s turned into such a pretty girl!
Love this post! We have two Dauchsunds too. Love them like they are our children. What I love so much about these dogs are their BIG personalities. :)
She is so cute I want to hug the screen!
Those puppy pictures…oh my goodness! I love her!