[GBA]

Thanks for the crate advice. T'is the season for shopping. I'm doing what I can to make the house puppy ready and a crate sounds like a necessity.

I'm crossing my fingers that there won't be too many "teaching sessions" with the puppy. He's really good with other dogs, rarely goes alpha dog and then usually just showing some teeth is enough. He'll nip if necessary, but he's always been fairly gentle and age has mellowed him even more. I hope all goes well. I was surprised how much he misses his best friend and am hoping having another dog around helps him. And me, too. I miss that dog every day.

[AnAmericanMother]

Some friends of mine have Springers. They're delightful dogs, not quite as rowdy as the Labs (my Labs at least).

I say that, but my older Lab is sleeping comfortably and calmly on the foot of my bed where I've been fighting the 'flu. She's been my constant companion.

Her naughty little sister romps all over the bed and tramples me and the cat, she is in my husband's custody downstairs . . . .