Linsanity, Tebowmania, and Pupxiety?!?

[Katie, Andy, and Ernie!]

Well, I said I wasn't going to start this until next week when I had more free time, but I'm so excited and anxious that I can't distract myself from the matters at mind. What you'll read following is my story!

Years ago, 7 to be precise, I was captivated by the radiant beauty of stunning young lady named Katie. Katie was a professional student then, and I a graduate student, when we met in the neuroanatomy lab. Careers and life led us in different directions in the time after and even though we've been separated here and there since then, we never really lost sight of each other!

Recently, the fluttering nature of our relationship stabilized and I moved halfway across the country, leaving a paying job behind, to try and begin a life with her. After a brief trial period and nearly a year of living together, I'm ready, without hesitation really (something I always thought I'd have more of), to ask her to start the rest of our lives together.

Now, something you should understand is that Katie has always been a dog person. Her parents have 3 dogs, including a particularly quirky labradoodle named Gracie. Her sister has a rescue we believe to be a goldendoodle, and a moderately-hefty cocker spaniel name Mitch. The youngest sister, Kelly, and husband John, have a chessy and a goldendoodle named Todd. And, brother TJ and his wife, Laura, have a cockapoo named Vinny. Can you imagine what holidays are like at her parents' home? Here's a hint: all dogs are invited! Todd, sister Kelly's GD, it turns out, is where all this trouble began. Today, like a horrible James Bond movie, I'm secretly aligning events of incredible potential explosiveness. See, Todd came to the family from TR Doodles in Bennett, CO, and is the most wonderful and intelligent dog you can imagine, if a bit spoiled! We fell in love with his teddy bear face the first time we saw him and there's been no discussion of the kind of dog WE would get since! Sadly, not long after he came to be part of our lives, Kelly and John, our best friends in Denver, moved and took him with them. On the bright side, it provided more impetus for us to make a greater commitment to getting one of our own!

Anyway, I sit here today, one week from D-day (that's Doodle day to you and me), spilling my story to the internet about my love for a girl and a breed of dog (but really I love nearly all dogs and only one girl!). Next Thursday, March 29th, Ernie, our F1 apricot/red baby goldendoodle, comes home to us at 8 weeks of age. I mean it when I say that Katie has no idea. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to keep my mouth shut about it and so her youngest sister knows, as do her parents. :( I've got a crate, toys, potty pads, sprays, a collar, leashes, etc., etc., etc., all in our storage unit miles away. I've got a ring neatly hidden away and a snuggle puppy under the bed. Food and other supplies are traveling to my doorstep as I type this. I've arranged for her to have Friday and Monday off from work under the guise of a season-end skiing trip. And, when she walks through the door on Thursday after work,  there's going to be a yelping, excited bundle of joy awaiting her with a jewelery box affixed to his collar (if I can figure a way to pull that off without him pulling it off!) and a nervous, shaking, once-young man ready to ask her the most meaningful question in his life!

It'll be a scene no one wants to see, with me sweating and shaking, probably convulsing, and her crying and trying to talk through her tears and all that comes with them. All the while I'll be fumbling to get out the words I've spent so many nighttime hours debating. With any luck at all, 8-week-old Ernie will come out of it without permanent emotional scarring!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Maybe we are responsible : )

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh and of course we need to see the ring affixed to Ernies's collar/neck - I know you can do it!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

LOOK EVERYONE - A TRUE LOVE STORY RIGHT HER ON DK.

We are all going to be waiting to hear the outcome - don't you dare keep us waiting.

Good Luck Andy and Congratulations to all 3 of you!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

What an amazing story and what a great guy you are! How can you wait a whole week?! How can we?! It's not too much to ask for you to video it and share?? lol and lucky Ernie too!!

[Janice Hammond]

You are making me cry and laugh at the same time. Make sure she doesn't get on this wesite.Let us know what happens.

Congratulations!!

[Joan Shepherd]

What a gorgeoud picture/scenery!!  Can't wait to see ya'll with your new little one!  Great story - and wish ya'll much happiness!

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

awww how cute!!  congrats!!  I'm sure Katie will be very excited .  You are very creative Andy!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is so wonderful!!!  Katie is going to be so happy - what a lucky, lucky girl. Puppy AND a ring?  I would just die!

[Chelsea and Bailey]

Wow, Love love love this story... A week seems too far away, I want to hear the ending now! Lol. Good luck, cant wait for the next installment of the blog!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I've just "met" you and I love you!!!  You seem like a wonderful young man and I wish you well with the proposal and, of course, with Ernie!  Let us know how the day turns out - I'm sure it will be amazing!!