Welcome Home, Oak!

I was going to wait a little longer to introduce our new pride and joy, but since it is National Golden Retriever Day today, I thought it an appropriate time for his debut. Besides, most of us could use a dopamine surge and pick-me-up these days.

This is Oakbea - Oak for short. Oakbea’s full name is Oakbea Aberforth. He is 8-weeks-old and will be a ‘red’ golden.

Interesting facts about Oakbea:

• Oakbea’s name just came to me - I made it up. I liked the name Oak but it didn’t seem complete. We tried out Oakland and Oakley, but neither seemed quite right. Then I realized Oakbea was the one.

• The spelling of Oakbea came from my youngest child. He was really insistent it must be -bea and not -bee or -by.

• Before Oakbea, we tried out Linus, with Albus as a runner up. Again, neither fit.

• Aberforth is his middle name, which comes from the Harry Potter series.

• He loves snow. Like, LOVES snow.

• He learned how to sit in 10 minutes on the first day we got him.

• He has hooded eye lids, giving him that sad, almond shaped eye look. He inherited this look from his mommy.

• He sits frequently when he wants attention, like the goodest boy on earth.

• So far, his nicknames have been Oak, Oakie, Oakie Dokie, Coke, Oakadonis, Oakie Pokie, Oak-a-doke, and more.

Oak is the sweetest boy. He’s very chill and calm. What’s most interesting is his intense sense of curiosity. It’s also very funny to watch him run, as half the time his back legs give out and he sprawls out like Gumby across the floor.

Our 3-year-old mixed rescue, Jadzia, loves her little brother as of today. Friday, when he came home, she wouldn’t even let us pet her and she decided that the stinky little floof needed to go somewhere else. But, 72 hours later, they play and frolic like old friends.

Please enjoy the gallery of images below of Oak. He’s so stinking adorable, and I hope he raises your spirits as much as he has mine.