Hark! What light through yonder tree doth shine? It is the fair Princess Cocoa Joy, and I must find some way to win her heart! I know I will. —Chipley the baby Cocker Spaniel

First time we played together and . . .

the first time we dug a hole together. It was lots of fun.

“Whoever said you can’t buy happiness forgot about little puppies.” —Gene Hill 

People keep asking me what Cocoa is doing with the new puppy? Would you believe that she is lying on any and everything that belongs to him? In this photo, she is on his baby blanket (under her chin) and the larger blanket one day will become his “go to place.” (See Training Up Cocoa on how to use a “Place.”) A few minutes ago, I told a co-worker that when Cocoa realized Chip was here to stay, she walked around the den and gathered up all her toys, put them in a pile, and then plodded down beside them to guard them from the “new” intruder.” Ahhhh! She reminds me of some people I have met along the way in life.

In a kingdom far, far away from here, there was a little dog named Chipley, who was awestruck by a beautful chocolate Cocker Spaniel named Cocoa Joy. No matter how hard he tried, Chip, the baby puppy could not win the heart of the fair Princess. However, he had a plan . . . a big one and over the next few days and weeks that plan would unfold right before his very eyes. He just knew it! But first things first, he needed a quick nap and then the tale could begin.

Last night reality set in around 9′o clock as Cocoa realized Chip had come to stay. Chip on the other paw enjoyed rolling around on the sofa beside his new big sister. Update: Got a telephone call from Xalina Cocoa’s trainer at Dog School 101, and she said the title of this photo needed to be “Oh, brother” literally. She’s right, of course, so much so that I made the change!