Well Hello “Dolly”

We have a new member of the family (and a new participant in the ever popular internet game of “Find the Puppy.”)

Find the puppy

This is my mother’s dog that has come to live with our family (along with Pippin and chickens) in New Hampshire. Her name is Dolly and she’s a Tibetan spaniel (yeah, I had never heard about the breed either.)

Tibetan spaniels are hair dogs (non-allergic) and they were raised in Tibet to work as watch dogs and to sleep by the monks acting as a sort of living hot water bottle. (It’s kind of like sleeping next to a baby bear.) They latch onto a single family member and guard that member non-stop (just take a guess who she has chosen in our family

.) Dolly is a well-mannered little pup and she’s as smart as a whip. Although she is supposed to be a watch dog, I have never heard her bark once (which is actually okay with me.)

We knew that this day would be coming. As one of the closest in the family who already has a dog-friendly house, it made sense that Dolly would come to live with us. There was some concern about how she would get along with Pippin, but honestly a few butt sniffs and they were both new-found best friends.

The only fly in the ointment is that I would never choose to have a dog named “Dolly” (my parents lived down south for a bit, can you tell?) and I had always said that if this dog came to live with us that I’d change her name. Think about it – we have cool dog names like Pippin and Nessa Rose – “Dolly” just wouldn’t have fit in.

Normally, it’s not advised to change the name of an 8 year old dog, but you know me. If I have my mind set on something I’m going to do it. So I have officially changed our new dog’s name, and in honor of her Tibetan heritage instead of calling her “Dolly” she is now named “Dali” (as in the Dali Puppy.)

It makes us all happy.

***

Wendy Thomas writes about the lessons learned while raising children and chickens in New Hampshire. Contact her at Wendy@SimpleThrift.com

Also, join Wendy on Facebook to find out more about the flock (children and chickens) and see some pretty funny chicken jokes, photos of tiny houses, and even a recipe or two.

Like what you read here? Consider subscribing to this blog so that you’ll never miss a post. And feel free to share with those who may need a little chicken love.