We interrupt this regularly scheduled Five Finds Friday post to talk about a little something else that’s happening in our house this Friday.

You know we love our dog Ryder.  He’s a legit family member – all of his rug like self.  He’s loyal and faithful and funny.  He’s a smart guy who almost never poops in the yard but takes to the woods and he defends us and sleeps across the threshold to be certain no one can get to us without his knowing about it.  He loves car rides (but only in theory).  He wants to go everywhere with us but without a little peppermint or ginger, his belly always pays the price – and so does the floorboard of our car.  He’s pretty obedient and he never eats from your plate, even if it’s on the floor, until he’s been granted permission.  He waits until about midnight every night to sneak off and eat any leftover cat food Puck leaves in her bowl.

He’s a golden doodle and while I’ve spent my entire dog loving life caring for and owning mostly mutts of many varieties, Ryder is a fancy dog who doesn’t shed and is a great choice for people with dog allergies.

Well.  This week – he’s having to welcome a little change into his life.  And I’d say it’s kind of his own fault because he’s proven to be such a great breed that we just felt we could take our chances again.  (This is sort of the same reason I jokingly tell Riley it was always her fault that there are so many younger siblings.  When I met her, I just thought she was such fun, that I wanted a houseful.  Until I met Riley and she moved into our home, I thought I was going to be no-kids-ever kind of grown up.)

We have a friend who runs a program called Doodle Alliance.  She raises and breeds various doodle puppies.  And that’s wonderful and fun all by itself.

But she’s taken it to another level.  She’s done something that I admire and respect and love when I see it in people.  She’s taken her passion for and used it to both help her own family and to help other families.  Doodle Alliance partners with an organization called Set Free Alliance.  Set Free Alliance is a ministry in India that helps to free children who have been enslaved and forced to work in quarries or factories, children who are often abused sexually and emotionally.  The Set Free Alliance has rescued more than 22,000 children and has built an orphanage to house and care for these children.  When you buy a darling puppy, a portion of your money is going to Set Free Alliance.

When my friend asked me if our family would consider becoming an Alliance Family and caring for a puppy who will one day become a momma dog, I said I’d definitely think about it.  And then when I saw pictures of the puppy, well – it was already too late for us then.  We were in.

Today we were able to meet and take home our new little family member.   She’s a cavapoo.  Or a cavoodle, if you prefer.  I just think she’s cute.  And calm.  And highly trainable.  And not a shedder.

(And what you’re all patiently waiting for – an actual photo – right?)

She met Ryder and that seems to be going just fine.  Puck is a little more cautious and a little less satisfied with the new situation.  Ryder seems happy and chill and willing to see how this goes.

We’re all head over heels in love with the cuteness that is this puppy.

Of course she has a name.  (Well, more to the point, of course she has several names.  We have standards, you know.)

Queen Tallulah Clementine the Third.

(I can’t explain the third.  London declares it necessary.)  All of our pets have a food item in their middle name.  (I can’t entirely explain that phenomenon either.)

I joke wth the kids that my retirement plan looks like me and a miniature Ryder and Colorado.  So, in a way, I guess I’m starting a little early.  On part of the plan anyway.

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