As most of you know, Buddy is the newest addition to our family. He is a 9 week old chocolate lab. Right now, he is about 13 lbs. His momma is small, so we are hoping he follows in her footsteps and not the big footsteps he has right now!
He is a sweetie, but, as all of you know and warned us, he is a lot of work. He is finally sleeping through the night without howling. He still doesn't love his crate (Matt calls it his house), but he is getting more used to it. He still has a ways to go on being housebroken - he knows that outside is for potty, but he still doesn't know that he needs to tell us that he needs to go outside. Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't. In the meantime, carpet cleaner and Lysol are our friends! One thing is for sure - he loves being with us and playing. He is a sweet companion.
Our neighbors have been wonderful helping us out with Buddy. The girl next door is a stay-at-home mom with twin 11 month old boys. I took care of their dog a bit a couple weeks ago. She has been coming over on the days that I babysit to let him out. Really, she and her husband have been great. Perfect neighbors and hopefully great future friends.
And now what you've been waiting for - the first round of pictures:
Matt with his favorite new puppy on the car ride home from Ephrata, PA
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Buddy is getting better at navigating the stairs, but he still doesn't like them.
What does you guys think - future guard dog??
Buddy's favorite place to hang out is between your legs. Fine now, but soon he's not going to fit!
Video of Buddy in action on his first day in Philadelphia!
This park is only about 3/4 mile from our house. Lots of people bring their dogs there, and it has lots of trees and nice benches.
Buddy found this stick, and he decided to bring it home with him. I don't blame him - it was a lot of fun.
Little rest break for the champ!
Decided that one pic of the owners wouldn't be a bad idea. After our trip to the park and some yard work, we are both ready for a good dinner!
Hmmm - I guess we don't leave anything on the floor anymore!
Something tells me that he hasn't quite learned "come" yet.
One of his many "favorite" spots. Unfortunately, he just discovered a hole in the fence there.
This picture helps gauge his size - he is sitting next to our bottom stair.
View of the city from Boathouse Row. I tried to get Buddy too, but that just wasn't going to happen. He did surprisingly well with all of the people, dogs and bikes - I was impressed!
Too bad he doesn't like sleeping on his blanket in the crate. He always drags out the blanket to cuddle with it.
Another favorite spot by the washing machine.
Though this picture doesn't quite show it - he loves playing fetch with his rope.
Awwwww.
Awwwww again!
Last favorite spot - where the mums used to be. He loved the mums but I moved them to the front yard after I learned they were poisonous for dogs and he got a bit sick. Not sure if it was related, but we weren't taking chances.
Did you know that there is a physics equation that explains why at some places the river looks like it isn't moving but just a little ways down the river it looks like it is rushing? Neither did I, but Matt did.
Next time, I want to find out where this bridge and path go.
To all ya'll in Tennessee - doesn't this remind you of home or at least the Smokies??
Matt is enjoying the view from the pretty stone bridge, but is questioning my need to take lots of pictures.
Yay for biking! 
Pretty rushing water that was pretty chilly!
Matt was skipping stones / making huge splashes with giant rocks.
Until I warned him to look for snakes, which he took as his cue to go back to biking.
Matt with his favorite new puppy on the car ride home from Ephrata, PA
Buddy is getting better at navigating the stairs, but he still doesn't like them.
What does you guys think - future guard dog??
Buddy's favorite place to hang out is between your legs. Fine now, but soon he's not going to fit!