How have I gone so long without a dog?

Max has already established himself as a member of our family. We've gone on several walks the last 2 days and he visited Lucky and Lucy for a playdate all day today. He was so good - I could go on and on about the virtues of this guy. He has really bonded with me already - anytime he's a little unsure of something he comes over to me and snuggles up or leans against me (which he's doing right now, under the desk, because there is some banging going on outside). He's the perfect mixture of timid and protective - if he's not sure about something, he comes to me to hear that it'll be okay, but he alerts us when something is amiss, too. The cats are tolerant of him, I guess because he shows interest in them but not aggressive interest. They are both sitting on the bed beside me while he is under the desk, which hasn't happened anytime a dog has been in our house - they usually hide out. Ash does, at least; Lilli is more tolerant of dogs in general (she and Lacey were buds and would routinely snuggle on the bed). See below:


This is Lacey hangin' out with Lilli on my bed in Pullman, waaaay back before I even met Scott. Wasn't she pretty?

Anyway, as I was saying, the cats are tolerant of Max, he's tolerant and calm with them, and really, I just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. He just seems too good to be true, too perfect for our family and our situation, and I'm not quite ready to accept that it's all going to work out with him. I really WANT to believe it...but I don't want to jinx it either. :-) He just seems like a wonderful mix of the two dogs I've lost - Lolli, the perfect dog, easily trained, never made messes, protective in perfect measure and snuggly and loveable (picture below) and Lacey, the beautiful skinny princess who piddled when nervous but made up for it with her loyalty and devotion. And Max looks like Lacey and acts like Lolli.


I am SO a dog person. I always have been - I was just waiting for the right one to show up. I really hope Max is it.

Rest in Peace, Lolli and Lacey. We miss you both.