Two weeks ago, our hearts and our home grew by four tiny paws. We picked up Lucy — our new puppy — and life hasn’t been the same since (in the best possible way!).

Lucy came to us through the Maricopa County Animal Shelter, who had originally named her Snickers. Now, while I can appreciate a sweet treat as much as the next person, “Snickers” just didn’t feel quite right for this dainty little ball of energy. So, we gave her a more lady-like name: Lucy. And just like that, she became part of our family.

According to her paperwork, Lucy is supposedly a Chihuahua and Australian Shepherd mix. Honestly? I have my doubts. Mission Impossible, if you ask me! I sent away for a DNA test to get to the bottom of this canine mystery — I’m dying to find out what she really is. In the meantime, I just call her adorable.

Lucy is now 11 weeks old and tipping the scales at a mighty 7 pounds. She’s tan and white, teeny tiny, and was the runt — and the cutest — of her litter. From day one, she’s adjusted to her new surroundings like a champ. Her favorite thing in the world seems to be showering us with love. The first morning after we brought her home, she nearly licked my face right off!

Now, let’s talk potty training. We’re still in the thick of it. Lets just say — we have our work cut out for us. But we’re making progress, one tiny puddle at a time.

Then there’s the biting. Oh boy, the biting. Lucy bites everything. Toys, shoes, furniture, my feet — OUCH! Last night after her first training session, she transformed into a full-blown Tasmanian devil. Candice, our dog trainer, assured us that this is normal teething behavior and gave us some tips to survive it. Fingers crossed (and toes protected)!

Food-wise, Lucy is a bottomless pit. She gobbles up her puppy chow but also loves bananas, watermelon, apples, and strawberries. If she spots it, she tries to eat it — whether it’s food or not.

She’s a curious little explorer and my constant shadow. She follows me room to room, pokes her nose into everything, and makes even the most ordinary days feel exciting again. She’s a handful, but she’s my handful, and I adore her to bits.

Well, as I type this, Lucy is giving me the “Play with me NOW” look, so I better hop to it before she decides my toes are a suitable substitute for a chew toy.

Stay tuned for the DNA results — I’ll report back once the big reveal is in!

❤️ Love you, Lucy🐾

P.S. TRAINING TIPS ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED.