Today I am more than likely going to go with my mother to pick out a new dog.  Her little toy poodle–a present from me almost two years ago–is lonely while my mom is at work, and needs a companion.  A local shelter has a litter of chihuahua/rat terrier mix puppies.  They are tiny.  They are cute.  They need a home.

But one of them can’t have mine.

Daughter has already looked at the puppies online and chosen one, has written a letter promising to take “full responsibility:–ha! like I haven’t heard that before–and son insists that our Ollie would be much happier with a playmate.  Presently we’ve got two dogs and a rabbit and I can’t take on another pet at the moment. 

I. CAN’T.

Seriously.

I have to be strong.  I cannot weaken.