the wolf among us.

So I tried really hard this year to be festive and fall-y. And by this I mean that I bought a pumpkin and put it on my porch. I was slightly apprehensive about it being smashed by some middle-schoolers. But it wasn't the rowdy neighborhood children that led to the pumpkin's poor demise...

I came home last night to find wolf-pup happily doing some freelance pumpkin carving with his teeth.

He's taking commissions if you want your own custom wolf-gnawed gourd.

wolf-dog sings the song of his people.

I have done a wolf-pup post in a while. Actually, in the span between, he's graduated to wolf-dog (I suppose that's necessary once your beastie reaches 100 lbs. He's not so wee anymore). In fact, he's so tall he can put his head on my desk and breath all over my computer without any additional help.

doctor. who?

You guys.

I have found a new love.

And its name is Doctor Who.

Seriously though. How long have I been out of the loop? I've been hearing bits and snatches about this British television series for years. (Though none of it really made sense. A flying police box? A Dalek? A sonic screwdriver?) I'll be the first to admit that I learned most of my basic Doctor Who knowledge from Troy and Abed's description of "Inspector Spacetime" in Community.

I'll also admit that I wasn't blown away by the first few episodes. But there are so many awesome Whovians in the YA community, that I decided to keep going. And I'm so glad I did.

Doctor Who is a storyteller's ultimate dream. You can choose any time and any setting. (Though I must say those aliens attack London an awful lot.) You can feature characters of any personality or race. Even the doctor changes personalities at times. Every single episode really does get your imagination going!

And, it's heartbreaking. But in a good, aching way. If that makes sense.

So if you haven't watched it--do. It's on Netflix Instant, so you have no excuse.

My puppy is--well-- not a puppy anymore. At least in body. Raiden is now a 55 lb adolescent. All beast and tooth and claw. His adult coat is coming in, which is wonderfully glossy and smooth. It's pretty cool to see how fast he's growing.

He's so happy after eviscerating his chew toy cow.

The home improvements have been few, but colorful. A new pillow here, a new curtain there. We actually bought our first laundry machine (I feel like such a real adult). It wouldn't fit all the way in our closet space, so we had to yank out the door to make it fit. I feel like the curtain adds a little more pizzaz anyway.

And now it is past my bedtime, so I bid you all a very good night.

the puppy who wouldn't stop growing.

We now interrupt your blogroll for this post of cuteness.

(I know, 2 posts in a day, I might jinx myself).

I was looking over my (scant) recent posts and realized that I haven't posted many pictures of Raiden recently. He's an even bigger, fiercer ball of fluff than he was two weeks ago, when I last posted.

Have a look:

Raiden loves to sit under my chair while I'm writing, but I'm afraid those days are becoming rather numbered.

Here he is, all elbows and knees.

This is actually his brother, who we recently got together with for a puppy playdate. I'm amazed at how different they look. Diesel (his brother) has an almost entirely red overcoat!

Raiden is also good for snuggling and watching Dr. Who with me on the couch. It's a good thing he's so cute and cuddly, because this is what happened when we tried to start seedlings for a garden:

Can't you just see my eye twitching?

my newest sidekick

Husband and I just bought our new house a few months ago, and it's seemed a little empty with just the two of us. So, like any good wife, I've been nagging him about getting a puppy. More specifically, a malamute.

In truth, the pleading has been going on pretty much ever since we got married.

Me: Can we get a puppy?

Husband: We don't have a yard. Or money. Puppies cost money.

Me: Please? Please please please please?

Husband: You're going to do this until I cave don't you?

Me: Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease.

This Christmas I was hopeful. But we were traveling around the country for a while. But lo and behold, the day we came back, Husband went grocery shopping and asked me to help him unload the trunk. I went outside and found this:

Meet Raiden*! He's a part malamute, part wolf pup in his seventh week of life. And he's so cute. And he has eyebrows. *flail*

We've only had him for less than a week, but he's already made himself at home! One of his favorite places in the house is the space between our futon and the wall. He'll have to enjoy it while he can... his dad is apparently 120 lbs. He's going to be a beast of a dog.

He's already been a great writing buddy. He likes to snuggle up under my feet while I type in the afternoons. (And bite too).

I'm in love. And I don't care who knows it!

Brace yourself for a future barrage of puppy pictures.




*I actually stole his name from one of my character in a WIP. The character is not-so-nice, but I loved his name so much that I decided to use it. It's Japanese for "thunder and lightning." Also the name of a character from Street-fighter. Not-so-nice character has since been renamed.