Let me introduce…
My new little writing partner!!
Ta da! Meet Dulcinea Kelly. Dulcie for short. Anyone who’s been hanging around here for a while and knows a little something about me and my family will probably understand why we named her that…how about a backlist book to the first person who correctly guesses the reference!?!
Anyway, Dulcie (who, as you can tell in the above picture, really enjoys getting up close and personal with my writing) joined our family on Christmas Eve, when she was 9 weeks old. Remember my worries about what to get the girls? Well, let’s just say this was one Christmas present they’ll never forget!
Dulcie is a Shih-tzu/Poodle mix, just like our other dog. And to say she’s an adorable little minx would be an understatement.
She’s very good about finding nice, squishy, comfy places to hang out…
And once she’s there, she can just drift right off to sleep.
And she’s also doing a great job of keeping track of my slippers.
She’s a good sport about wearing the much-too-small frilly outfits foisted upon her by us dumb humans… 
Even big sister Cassie got into the act with that one, and she wasn’t any happier about it than Dulcie! 
Cassie…that’s the big issue, as we knew she would be when we decided to get a puppy. (Well, Bruce will tell you I decided to get a puppy…but despite the cleaning up of little messes, he’s completely charmed by her, too!)
Cassie, however, our 6 year old dog, was not charmed at first. Not at all. In fact, she pretty well hated her. I think she would have been happiest if she could have treated Dulcie like a new soft toy: tackle it, find the squeaky spot, and smash it between her teeth, squeaking it incessantly, until it breaks.
Don’t get me wrong, Cassie is an adorable little cuddle-bug. Smart and sweet and absolutely beloved by every one in our family.
But somewhere along the way, we forgot to tell her she’s a dog. So she doesn’t quite recognize those other canine creatures, and certainly doesn’t consider herself one of them. In her mind, she’s a person, and she has no patience whatsoever with other four-legged beings.
So, of course, I had to bring a puppy into the house. Sigh.
We were a little worried. And for the first several days, Cassie was just downright miserable. Mopey, wouldn’t eat, had this really sad look on her face that just begged us to get rid of the unwanted houseguest. She was also very snarly with the puppy so we never left them alone and introduced them to each other very slowly.
But finally, lo and behold, about a week in, we glanced over and saw Cassie carefully moving closer to Dulcie and giving her a good long sniff, then playfully nudging her. Then came some good-natured scruffing, and soon the two of them were tearing around the hardwood floors, slipping and sliding on their furry little feet! Wahoo! 
It’s not all smooth sailing yet, Cassie is still a middle-aged dog and when she has had enough of the puppy antics, she puts Dulcie right in her place. Fortunately, the puppy eventually will back off: usually to take a nap! 
And quite often Cassie joins her, even ignoring it when Dulcie starts casually nibbling on any tail or ear that happens to land near her mouth.
All in all, I’d have to say Dulcie is fitting right in. She’s already fabulous about going into her crate–even on her own. And potty training is, of course, not fun, but she’s doing better than Cassie did at this age. (Shh, don’t tell Cassie…she’d be offended!)
All in all, I think she’s a pretty terrific addition to our family.
After all, who could resist this face…
Awww. She is pretty adorable. Puppies are work but they are also so fun, and can be so cuddly and playful. What a lovely addition to your family
Comment by Stacy ~ — January 8, 2008 @ 7:03 am
She is adorable! What a face! Alas I have no idea about the name Dulcinea. She must have been the name of one of your heroines along the way, your first Temptation perhaps…
Have a great day all,
Cher :cold:
Comment by Cher — January 8, 2008 @ 8:36 am
What an adorable puppy. Good luck with the potty training, that’s the pits.
Comment by Patty L. — January 8, 2008 @ 9:00 am
Dear Leslie,
she’s such a cutie. You gotta love her. And that face and those eyes…And those two fit great together.
As for the reason why you named her Ducie, I honestly don’t have a clue. But I love the name. If it IS a character frome a book I think I missed out on that one. But I’ll catch up…promised
I think she’s a great Christmas present and your children must have loved this present.
But I can tell from experience.Bcause my cat always sits down on my books trying to prevent me from reading. She’s afraid I’m gonna like the book more than her. So you gotta be careful
See you
Vero
Comment by Vero — January 8, 2008 @ 9:04 am
She’s adorable!
Comment by Julie Leto — January 8, 2008 @ 9:29 am
Dulcinea is from Don Quixiote who is his ‘true love”? Just a wild guess. So maybe because Bruce calls you that?
Comment by katie — January 8, 2008 @ 9:47 am
Oh my god she is sooooo fluffly and adorable. So is Cassie. Do they bark alot? I love little dogs, it’s the barking that drives me nutso. Do you think she would want to come and play with our kitten?? It can’t get any more crazy here with 2 dogs and now 3 cats. Who would notice one more?
One of our cats has the same attitude as Cassie- over a year later and she still won’t cotton to the new dog. Loves the big Lab though. And puts the new kitten into place when he needs it. Which is often.
I woke up this morning, after spending most of the night in the ER with daughter, to both dogs and 2 cats on the bed. Mostly on top of me. It is just so much fun to wake to fur in the mouth and not have gotten it from drinking the night before!!
Comment by ev — January 8, 2008 @ 10:04 am
Katie got it!
We are all big Broadway nuts in this house and Man of La Mancha is one of our faves. Bruce and I saw the revival on Broadway a few years ago.
“To each his Dulcinea…” Now we have one.
Congrats Katie! Let me know which book you want and I’ll send it out to you! author@ lesliekelly.com
And Ev–yikes! Hope your daughter is okay!
on the fur in mouth!
Comment by Leslie — January 8, 2008 @ 10:42 am
That face is precious!!! We had a very large, alpha golden and decided to bring home a very hyper yellow lab puppy. The difference, the puppy was a she, golden was a he. It was love at first sight but he was much older and when he’d get tired he’d growl, she’d go away and wait for him to go to sleep. Then she’d sneak up and chew on his ears and tail. Sometimes he’d open his eyes and growl but most of the time you’d just see him heave in a big sigh and let her keep going.
Comment by Jodie — January 8, 2008 @ 11:01 am
Ev - hope everything is now okay with your daughter!
Comment by Jodie — January 8, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Such a cutie!!! It *almost* makes me want to have another puppy, too.
Ev — I hope everything is okay with your daughter!!!
Comment by Janelle — January 8, 2008 @ 11:22 am
Aww, she is a cutie. I could so fall in love with one of her, but dh says NO critters.
Ev hope your daughter is ok.
Have a super day, everyone.
Comment by debb — January 8, 2008 @ 11:33 am
She is so cute!!! Thanks for sharing all the pictures. My dad keeps talking about getting another dog for his dog, but I really don’t think she would even be as good as Cassie is about it. His dog won’t even let anyone sit next to my dad…really can’t see her sharing his lap for a puppy.
Ev, hope your daughter is ok.
I’m home sick today…I got pink eyes from one of the kids I teach at church on Sunday.
Comment by Liza — January 8, 2008 @ 11:44 am
Awwwww, how very cute… I have a Shih-tzu named Dessa who like Cassie does not belive she is a dog… she thinks she is either human or a cat ( she can’t figure out which). But both of your dogs are beautiful and I know your daughters will love their Chistmas gift for years to come…. Enjoy the puppy time even though it may not be fun it goes fast!
Comment by Kate — January 8, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
I’m with Janelle, Dulcie “almost” makes me want another…lol What is it about puppies and babies that have that power over women that makes you just forget all the work and sleepless nights. Our baby Macbeth would never except another baby in the house human or four legged. Mommies lap belongs to him.
Comment by Tina Martinesi — January 8, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
Aw, she’s so cute and fuzzy!!!!!!!!
Comment by Ladytink_534 — January 8, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
Awww. I can’t resist that face. How cute!
Comment by Jennifer Shirk — January 8, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
>What is it about puppies and babies that have that power over women that makes you just forget all the work and sleepless nights.<
lol Tina! You’ve got that right. I am suddenly remembering Cassie’s puppy-hood. And as much as I’d love to have had another child about 5 or 6 years ago, I really wouldn’t want a baby now.
Comment by Leslie — January 8, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
Awww, what a cutie!
Comment by Susan — January 8, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
AWWWWWW I’m in LOVE!
Comment by Carly — January 8, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
Adorable puppy Leslie! Love her name!
Comment by Carolyn A. — January 8, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
The most beautiful face in the world, and I absolutely cannot resist it. And the puppy’s cute too.
Comment by Bruce — January 8, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
She is absolutely precious!
Even Zoey hopped up an the laptop to take a look.
Well maybe she really was trying to take my focus off another female puppy.
Best of luck with her Leslie.
Comment by Jeannie & Zoey — January 8, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
Leslie, what an adorable puppy. How could anyone not love that cutie!
Thanks for sharing the pictures. Love the name.
Awww, Bruce! You say the nicest things.
Katie, congratulations on winning a book from Leslie!
Comment by Donna M — January 8, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
What an adorable puppy!
Comment by Estella — January 8, 2008 @ 5:24 pm
She is adorable. And I love her name. What a great addition to the family.
Comment by Cryna — January 8, 2008 @ 6:14 pm
Hi Leslie and everyone…Dulcie is adorable…she is such a cutie, just makes you want to pick her up and hold her for a long time…I hope that everyone is having a great week so far…I find myself climbing up out of the doldrums…today was a good day…ttyl
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — January 8, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
OMG!!! she is so cute, your daughters must have been so excited,. It makes me want another puppy but then I remember potty training and chewing and I hide under my covers
Comment by erin — January 8, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
Ooooh, so cute!
Am finishing up Asking for Trouble, will be sad as I will have read about all the Santoris. Maybe they have some cousins that need a story?????
Comment by Pat L. — January 8, 2008 @ 9:32 pm
Both dogs are such cuties.
Comment by Diana — January 8, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
Comment by Lisa G. — January 8, 2008 @ 11:16 pm
We have a Shi-tzu/poodle mix as well (Sandy) and she’s the best dog we’ve ever had - such a personality - soo cute - a diva and an attention hog and tons of fun!
Comment by Nina — January 9, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
Bruce…right back atcha love.
Pat–well, they don’t “feature” but I can tell you that at least Mark & Noelle pop up briefly in my June Blaze!
And Nina–my Dad & my sister have this breed too and they absolutely adore their dogs, as well.
Comment by Leslie — January 9, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
ADORABLE.
Comment by Jill S. — January 9, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
I just saw her, so is precious!!!
Comment by Dina — January 9, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
Very cute I know I couldn’t have resisted
Comment by Beth R — January 11, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
She is soooo cute.
Comment by Lynn Matherly — January 12, 2008 @ 11:33 pm
[...] Remember Dulcie? [...]
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