"Marley (Beall) & Me"

Our sweet Piper-Lou was born on February 2, 2007 - exactly one year to the day before my due date with Noah. She is a Beago which is a mixture of a purebred Golden Retriever and purebred Beagle. We got her from our dear friends here in Hawaii, the Smiths.

Piper at 8 weeks
To say that Piper was a challenge for me - this not-typically-a-dog-person person - is inaccurate. Piper's head was literally on the chopping block until she proved to us that she was worthy of being Noah's sister. Were we ever surprised and BLESSED to realize that our baby girl has not only calmed down (after what seems like years of training and disciplining her) but she is now Noah's best friend and his protector.

Piper and Noah at 2 months

Initially she got really excited when he was in the room. He was a newborn and she has the Beagle sniffer and the Golden excitement so she was a cyclone of energy and annoyance to have around. But soon, she began hovering over him, making sure he was okay, happy, safe and warm. And miraculously, Piper calmed down the older she got.

Piper and Noah at 14 months
Once Noah became more mobile, he started doing what all babies do and he began to abuse our dog. He pulled (and continues to) her ears, her tail, her hair; he bites her, chases her, hits her, takes her bones, throws her food, dumps her water, hides her ball - you name it, Noah does it to that poor dog. He calls her "Beaux" constantly because that is the name of my parent's dog in Alabama so he things that all dogs are "Beaux" (you should see him at the dog park calling about 50 dogs "Beaux!")And she just puts her head down and lets him have his way; she's never snapped at him or barked at him or shown anything but absolute adoration for her brother. Noah feels the same love for her as well; he's always showering her with big kisses - "mmmmaaaahh!" - and hugs and he will chase her down to lay one on her even if she's not in the mood.

Oh yes, he's pulling her hair out as hard as he can
Piper was once a huge, shedding, annoying thorn in my side. But she's now one of my 3 children (we also have a 9 year old Persian cat named Maria who won't have anything to do with Noah or Piper). Piper does everything with me and Noah when we are home during the day: you will see us 3 working out for an hour a day (she's an incredible running partner), eating at the same time, playing outside in the hose or going to the dog park together.

Piper can make Noah laugh like no one else can
Piper has proven that she's a worthy member of our little family and we are thankful for her. And once we get settled into our new home in Louisiana, it is our intention to find another doggie friend (a Great Dane - I have always wanted one and can't wait to find her!!) for her so she's not constantly outnumbered by Noah and his future brothers/sisters.
"Come on "Beaux," let's go for a walk"