If a few short hours we’ll be leaving to go and visit the Labrador Retriever breeder and hopefully pick out a new puppy!

For a while we thought we might have to delay our trip. We had freezing rain several times yesterday which of course resulted in icy streets and then it snowed, and snowed and snowed some more. Not that a lot of snow built up or anything, but with the intermittent freezing rain it created a heavy ice covered crust over the snow and it was generally miserable to be outdoors yesterday.

We weren’t sure if it would have cleared up enough today for our long drive to the dog breeders. We have to drive West towards Niagara Falls, and setting aside weather conditions, driving out that way on a Friday, a US long weekend (shopping weekend) no less, and we’re bound to end up being in heavy traffic.

Chris wants to wait until about 7 pm to leave so that the traffic will hopefully have died down. So we won’t get to the breeders until about 9 pm and if all goes well it will be around that time that we’ll be setting eyes on our new dog for the first time!

I think we’re just about ready. We tidied up the house last night so there will be fewer things for a puppy to get into when it gets here.

I also cleaned our old medium sized pet carrier. I think we’ll use that as the puppies crate until we get a proper training crate. It’s a good size for a puppy. We’re also going to bring the pet carrier with us when we go tonight. I plan on holding the puppy when we drive back so it won’t be scared, but since it’s so cold out I feel better having a safe place to put the pup just in case the car breaks down or something happens along the way.

The puppy bed is set out as well and I cleaned the toys we purchased too. I also cleaned the food and water dishes that we bought and have them in place and ready for us.

All I’d like to do before we leave the city this evening is perhaps hit a pet store and maybe get some of those puppy training pads so we’ll have them on hand as soon as we bring the puppy home.

Perhaps while we’re at the store we’ll look at dog gates. The baby gate that Chris purchased the other night is held up by pressure mounts and it’s just not sitting securely enough. I’d rather return it and get one that actually attaches to the wall and has a swinging gate. We’ll probably be going to PetSmart. I’ve already checked out their online store to see what kind of dog gates they have and I think I know which one I’d like to get. So maybe we’ll pick that up too if we make it to the store before we leave and if we can decide on one quickly enough.

Now, all you experienced puppy/ dog owners out there … maybe you can give me some advice on dog food? The breeder has apparently been feeding the puppies Purina puppy chow so we already bought a small bag of that in order to be sure the dog will eat when it’s here, but what kind of puppy dog food would you recommend? I know I’ll probably get several different brands recommended, but I’d just like to know if there’s anything wrong with feeding the puppy the Purina puppy chow of if we should be feeding it something better?

Also if you have any more tips for me - especially about traveling in a car with the puppy for the first time (2 hour drive!) I’d love to hear from you! I was reading on a site that the puppy will do better and be less frightened if it’s held and reassured.

Wish me luck on finding a healthy puppy to bring home!

BTW if we get a puppy I’ll post photos as soon as I can!