Sweet! Comment 299! ;P

Just wanted to add, everyone who has ever looked at the puppy photos for our Aussies: Scarlett and Sophie, guessed that they were:

a) border collies (wrong)

b) bernese mountain dogs (wrong)

c) shetland sheepdogs, aka shelties (wrong)

d) collies (wrong)

e) blue heeler/cattledogs (wrong)

Although I admit that in puppy-phase, many of these breeds can be misconstrued! ;)

Surprisingly, when I posted our puppy photos online, SEVERAL people guessed correctly that they were, indeed, Australian Shepherds. So, kudos to all of those wise doggy-people out there in the world! :))

And all I got was some stinkin' pajamas! Jon is setting the bar high for men all over the country. Soon they (the men folk) will have flyers with a picture of him posted all over, reading " PUBLIC ENEMY #1."

I'm with Julia above. I need to know Chuck is OK with the puppy before being smitten by her cuteness.

She is a cutie; Same coloring as my cat.

You two have absolutely the best taste in dogs. I'm really not a doggy person (I loved my mum's black labrador, but my MiL's King Charles Spaniels? LESS SO) but Chuck and Coco are beautiful animals.

nb the comment above reminded me - miscarriages are a pisser. I had 2 in the last 13 months and am now about 14 weeks pregnant and going ok, I think. I sincerely hope things work out for you in that respect this year.

(Hey, my captcha is "Neat Room". I should go and tidy...)

Is that a Burmese Mountain Dog?

She is seriously pin-up gorgeous. Is Chuck wolf-whistling in the corner nonstop?

Gorgeous dog. How bad did the sinus infection get? Lose all sense of taste? I had the sinus infection a while back, HORRID experience.

Cute puppy. How does Chuck feel? I just love him to pieces. Maybe he could come visit me sometime? Glad you are feeling better.

May all your wishes come true in the new year!

Coco beats a hippo any day. Congrats!

Your pup is absolutely beautiful! Is she an Aussie Shepherd???

There is someone else out there who is in love as well. Thought you'd appreciate this:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/2008/01/the_last_charlie_post_ever_for_at_lea...

Personally, I've been cosying up to the gift that MY husband gave me - this laptop.

2008 - its gonna be great!

Adorable. Absolutely friggin adorable.

Looking forward to the stories about Leta's Christmas!

Heather,

I hope you all are well again. Coco is so, so cute. I'm almost snorgling the screen. :) Yes, we definitely need a Coco Daily Picture button.

You mention "a death in the family and other devastating news." I'm sorry to hear there were bad things going on. I hope Chuck is okay.

Take care,

Rosane.

That last picture makes Coco look like a toy. I can't wait to hear how Coco and Chuck interact. I have three dogs and I would love to see if we have similar challenges.

I'm glad that you are feeling better!! Coco is adorable. How does Chuck like her?

Wow. A puppy. You should have named her hippopotamus, then you could have told people Jon got you one =) I think Chuck was probably wary at first, but has now warmed up to her... She is adorable...but Chuck will always hold a special place in my heart*

How did you go
From: "Dame Eleanor Ritzford-Fitzsimons Puffs"
To: Coco

oh wow! cute puppy!

She's ADORABLE. Congrats and welcome back to the Internet. (:

what type of camera do you use? Especially on the style photos? they are GREAT

Oh my God!!! What was Chuck reaction and how is he handling the situation. And please tell me he will always be your number one and you won't make him feel neglected?? ( Sorry, but I am kind of in love with Chuck) I always smirk at all the comments of any blog saying: "you had me in tears" or worse" I'm bawling" right now. My heart is dark and shriveled like that because although I do have empathy I can't start weeping reading strangers stories EXCEPT when Chuck was lost, that's when I cried. I love Chuck, and you're right he's a cat because I'm a 100% cat person and I love him, so there's your proof : )

Okay she is just the most adorable puppy! Is she an australian shepard?

Please tell me that the death in the family was not Chuck?

She's adorable! But I guess I didn't have to tell you that. I can't wait to see photos of her and Chuck together. Glad you had good holidays! Happy New Year!

is she a corgi?
i think i love her.

I could hardly sleep last night for worrying about Chuck. Somehow I think he'd never stand for a DOG around the house.

Coco is lovely - is she an Aussie?

I know you'll update soon, and I hope all is well and you're feeling better.

Beautiful girl!

I'm so sorry to hear about the difficulties. I hope that is all behind you now.

Welcome Coco!! Very photogenic-perfect!

Oh my god oh my god oh my god!

I want another one, now!

I'm the proud mama of two Jack Russell Terriers, and normally I'm pretty brand loyal.

But oh my god!

I anticipate all kinds of new photos (hooray), particularly of Leta and that adorable love puff. I bet they look irresistible together. And don't you love the psychology of Family Visits + Stressful Holiday Season + Unending Illness. Here I thought it was my own special Triumpharant. Sorry you have to share it.

Congrats on the new addition.
Can't wait to see gallery of Coco eyebrow expressions.
No better way to get over holidays than puppy breath and cuddling up on cold january days with a little ball of cuteness!

Holy. Crap. Cuteness.

Happy New Year!

Looking forward to the new year filled with the usual stories about your life and family, now with the addition of Coco. What a sweetheart!

Glad you are feeling better.

I vote for Aussie mix. . . I have a border collie (used to have 2, lost one the week before Christmas. . .), and Coco's muzzle doesn't look pointy enough for a border. But then, puppies are always a bit more round all over than the grown-ups! Congrats on a BEAUTIFUL new baby!

I, too, am a bit worried about Chuck, but seeing a new daily pic of him today makes me hopeful. I am sorry to hear of a death in the family and "other devastating news," and I hope everything's okay.

>phew< New Daily Photo of Chuck means I can concentrate on saying "Cute puppy" and "You've got your work cut out for you there" and "Happy New Year" and "Hope you feel better"... that sort of thing.

I wonder what Leta's reaction has been?

As I recall, she's not overly fond of Chuck.

a puppy for christmas!!!! i wish i had gotten a puppy for christmas!

how is chuck taking to her? i hope you write about introducing a second dog to the family! we have one already who doesn't seem to like other dogs (it's the whole thinks-he's-a-human syndrome) and we'd like a second but we're not sure how well it'll work.

I love her already. Almost as much as Chuck whom, since I'm a cat owner, I consider my virtual dog.

I know you were a bit disappointed that Coco wasn't in fact a baby hippo, but I think you'll be better off in the long run. I mean, which would you rather clean up after?

Congrats on the new addition - she's gorgeous!

Yea...new puppy stories. I can not wait to hear what this one is thinking.

Commenting on today's style posting. Use kraft paper instead of mailing paper - it comes in brown and other colors as well. You can get this at a craft store or art store. I purchase mine by the foot from a local art supply store and use it year round. This is my go to for wrapping.

From that first picture I thought Jon had bought you a really, REALLY nice toy. I was obviously wrong!

Coco is adorable :)

Heather seriously, before the Internets explode with theories on Chuck's demise and I have to go to urban legends.com to find out if it is true, please tell us that Chuckles is okay.

Otherwise, your faithful readers will be the ones having sleepless nights.

A number of years ago, we were at the San Diego Zoo checking out the hippos. Cutest little baby hippo came lumbering over, backed up to the wall, and proceeded to spray urine all over those in the vicinity, moving his cute little baby hippo butt back and forth. Thankfully we were a bit past the vicinity.

Coco is much better. Me mum was an Eleanore.

Congrats on the new addition to the family.

We got puppies for Christmas, too!!!! Two yellow lab-mix sisters named Hannah and Jazz. Puppies rule!!!!

Aaah! Aussie puppies! Santa must have had a lot of squirming in his bag. We got a red tri aussie pup for Christmas too...little miss Clover.

Phew! There's a new daily Chuck, which means he is not dead. Thank God. I was seriously getting concerned.

I can now ooh and ahh over the sweetness that is Coco.

Vesta said:
Some people get a small cold for three days you... you get strep throat AND a sinus infection. WOW

We also had to bury someone in our family so let me offer you my condolences to you and your family.

The puppy is sooooo uber cute! I love the name Coco, hey just like Coco Arquette. LOL

I hope Chuck is doing well with the new addition. I'm sure he will be sometimes jealous of some of the attention the puppy will give you and everyone in the household but eventually he will get used to her. Just add extra serving of spaghetti to his daily meals. ;)

Everyone (including me) has already commented on the cuteness that is COCO, but let me just say that Chuck still has my heart ... I LOVE the pic of him staring soulfully at your friend from today's Daily Chuck. My beloved beagle will betray me in the same way ... he loves my boyfriend more than me. Sob.

Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. CUTE.
welcome back, Heather.

So so so cute. Congrats!

Good to have you back! Coco is cute, but I feel like I'm cheating on Chuck! Happy 2008!

OMG...she's absolutely ADORABLE. Dang...way better than the Nintendo DS my husband got me. :/

Welcome, Coco!

uh oh -- sleepless nights, indeed. my australian shepherd is fucking maniac. it's a tough call as to which of us is crazier.

What a cute dog coco is..;)

What a cute pupper!!

My first thought upon death in family and new dog scared the crap outta me. Is Chuck ok?

she's adorable!! can't wait to hear all about chuck and leta's reactions to the new addition! :) hope you and the rest of the family recover from all the various illnesses soon!

I love Coco and want her already! I want to keees her widdle nose.

You should have held out for a hippo. That would have been awesome.

I concur to the one-thousandth power The Daily Coco deal!

Does this mean there will be a daily Coco too? I hope so! Cuteness!

I'm new around here and have been laughing so hard--
You need to find a pet psychic so you can find out what Chuck thinks about this all and report back to the internet, stat!

Cute puppy, gorgeous daughter, lovely man-toy, amazing writer-mom-- PLUS CHUCK! I can't stop reading.

Sickness over the holidays is totally sucky.
But new puppy? AWESOME! Not quite a hippo, but hey - I've been trying to talk my hubby into a girlfriend for my nutless dog, and he just won't give in.

I foresee next year's calendar being a HUGE hit!

And now there's no basement for Chuck to slither into...poor little thing.

I got a puppy too! A chocolate Lab. We named her Mango!

Heather.... a beauty of a pup! Hope you are all feeling better. Lots of love from one of your English fans. Our Christmas was also filled with stress...husband slipped a disc a week before wedding anniversary and Christmas and both my 18 month old and almost 4 year old sons were ill...hurrah. But we soldiered on as i am sure you did!

PUPPY!

Coco looks adorable! I'm sure Chuck's reaction will be posted soon!

Glad you are on the mend, but now I've got it!

Aachooo!

'scuse me!
Terry

Coco Puffs!!! Love that :) Shes adorable. Always had shepherds while i was growing up.. great great dogs to have around kids.

Because you don't get enough comments...

I have a 9 year old miniature Aussie Shepard and she is THE BEST. Say goodbye to peeing alone because they need to know where you are at ALL times. Also, don't wait until she's five to introduce her to the neighborhood kids - they don't like it when dogs try to herd them.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

Well, dang. If you ain't gonna sing hymms and toss puppies off the roof, what's the sense in having the holidays at all?!

But, really, congrats on the pup. She is very cute, and all the Aussie Shepherds I've met were lovely, calm, devoted to their owners, and good with children.

It is hard to choose a second dog, isn't it? Yours is a MUCH better choice than the one we made for a second dog, a critter we affectionately refer to as Woofy Mengele. (No longer with us.) I can honestly say that it is NEVER a good idea to add a territorial Belgian Shepherd in one's pet homelife if: a) you like to have your friends come inside the house; or b) you don't consider human toddlers to be an appropriate lunch for a dog.

Lovely, herding dogs like Aussie Shepherd are definitely a more appropriate and peaceful choice. Bravo!

P.S. When will Chuck balance Coco on his head?

what a beautiful dog. enjoy her. I'm jealous. I work all day. My kids have left the nest. so no pets for me now.

b

Dude, she's beautiful!

I love the Australian Shepherd! I hope she is a little less high strung than mine. She is adorable! You are in for a lifetime of lovin!

Fantastic name on a lovely lady. I'm looking forward to follow her integration in your family. What role will this dog get?

Congratulations!

She's adorable! Funny though that I'm Australian and here in the US I keep hearing of these "Australian Shepherds" and yet for my entire life I've never heard of such a breed. We have border collies and blue heelers... maybe America is getting these confused ;-)

Oh my god. So cute!!! I hope she'll be a pleasant contrast to Congressman Chuck the Emo Dog. But I have to wonder what weird recessive gene is responsible for Leta's dislike of animals. Are you sure she's not a changeling? Maybe Coco's happier outlook will help.

Not that anyone is reading the 100000th comment anymore....BUT...

SWEET! I was right! I *KNEW* she was an Aussie! She looks almost EXACTLY like our Scarlett (who is, as it happens a Miniature Australian Shepherd, Red Tri Color. Sophie is a Standard Australian Shepherd though, and much bigger.)

Now that we have a Mini Aussie and a Standard Aussie, I can confirm that while they are both the MOST wonderful dogs, ever -- if we were to get a third dog or (God forbid) something were to happen to one of our dogs, we would explicitly try and get a Mini Aussie instead of a Standard.

Scarlett, our Mini Aussie is just a little extra sweet and calm -- while Sophie our Standard Aussie is a little more active -- although Soph is still a pup, so she definitely has a lot of puppy-ADD going on, which I'm sure she'll grow out of.

FWIW, (because I don't think anyone is reading these comments anymore) Australian Shepherds are an American breed *NOT* Australian in anyway, although I know the naming of the breed can be confusing. ;)

Also, it cracks me up how many people can think a Mini Aussie pup can be a Bernese MOUNTAIN dog. LOL (we got the same response when we posted some photos of Scarlett as a pup) ;D

If your Coco is anything like our Scarlett, she'll be a DREAM to train. Scarlett is super, extra smart -- I had her trained on all basic commands (sit, stay, roll over, shake a paw, down, play dead, etc., etc.) by the time she was 10 weeks old. (we got her at 9 weeks old) Scarlett also understands long, convoluted sentences. You can speak to her in a normal tone of voice, and she keeps eye contact with you until you are finished speaking, then pauses to think about what you said -- and then goes to do whatever it was you were talking to her about. It's quite interesting to watch.

Scarlett's sire was tested by a child therapist for intelligence and tested at levels for a 2.5 year old human child. So, we think Scarlett's comprehension level is somewhere in the 2.5 to 3 year old human range.

Anyway, congrats again on the pup, if you are even still reading your comments! ;)

P.S. From Wikipedia:

"The Australian Shepherd is a breed of working dog that was developed in the Western United States in the 19th century from several different breeds.[1][2][3] Despite its name, the breed, commonly known as an Aussie, did not in fact originate in Australia.[4][5]

The Australian Shepherd's history is vague, as is the reason for its misleading name. It is believed by some that the breed actually originated in Spain and was used there by Basque farmers. What is known is that it developed in western North America in the 19th and early 20th centuries......."

DAILY COCO! Congratulations Doggy-mom, Leta-mom..and still a fish-mom?

looks like coco will be a good snuggle buddy with all the snow up in salt lake.

also, i was dog-sitting for my brother's lab this week. who knew how deceptively hard it was to get a dog to keep something on its head?

Oh, hooray! Good luck on puppy-training!

I have an Aussie, too!!! They are the best dogs EVER! :)

Aw, those photos of Coco made me tear up a little bit. She looks so very much like the dog I grew up with, a standard Aussie named Brassy with the same sort of tri-colored coat. She was an incredibly sweet-tempered dog, and very clever when it came to getting the things that she wanted (usually butter, or freedom). She passed away a few years ago, and my parents now have two more standard Aussies. Like their predecessor, they lead their owners a merry chase (sometimes quite literally) but they are wonderful dogs too.

Good luck with the sleepless nights ahead -- I hope the delight of having two adorable dogs in your household will more than make up for them!

Oh, and the people who are sending you hatemail because you got a puppy for Christmas should seriously shut it, because they are dumb.

Sooooo cute :) I'm a little jealous. I didn't get a puppy from Santa. Maybe I nagged too much and over shot? I don't know...

Its okay though, I fully expect Cupid to out due Santa for Valentines Day. If he knows what's good for him anyway ;)

Is the banner going to fit a box for daily pictures of Coco?

We had a blue merle Aussie and WE LOVED her...she had been abused but was always very loyal to me and my husband. She was very nippy and herdy with children (this was b/4 we had any) since she'd never been exposed to them.

I cannot believe that even this puppy face couldn't win over Leta. I have a 4 year old...I know once they decide they don't like something, you can't talk them out of it! He and our new dog (1 year old now) battled for months for position of top dog...they finally like each other, after 9 months of pushing, nipping and smacking.

Good luck...and I hope he is potty trained. (I found the dog to be MUCH easier than the children)

aww cute cat :0)

Is that a puppy?

Thought you might like this one. Look at 37. http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2008/01/50-things-...

I know everyone else has already said this but Coco is WAY TOO CUTE!!! Can't wait to see what you try to balance on her head :)

You finally have a real dog! I hope you will still take pictures of the fake Chuck.

Oh, Coco is lovely. :-) I have a blue merle male mini who's almost 4 now (~20 pounds, goes out through the cat door); he's very smart, eager to please, and quite a snuggler. I hope you and the whole family enjoy adding Coco to the mix for many years to come.