Say Hi To Darwin - The Most Adorable Puppy Ever

We have a new addition to the family, and I'm completely in love. As in, head over heels. His name is Darwin and he's a nine week old Golden Retriever puppy. If you're not the kind easily charmed by adorable puppy pictures, you better stop reading now, because here comes cuteness in abundance! Since he's such a cool pup, who seems more like the calm, intuitive, studying kind and not the adventurer, explorer or conqueror, we decided against such names as Alexander (from The Great as well as Alexander von Humboldt), Tiberius and Diocletian (OK, so maybe that last one wasn't on top of the list!), and went with Darwin instead. Doesn't it roll nicely on the tongue? Let's hope he'll live up to his name, in terms of brains and temperment that is anyway... 

Yesterday we took an hour drive and picked him up from a lovely family out on the countryside. Out of his litter, he wasn't the most rumbunctious kind, neither the most submissive. He's adorable. Of course all puppies are adorable, have you ever seen one that isn't?

The drive back home went perfectly, and he must be the most well-behavied puppy I've ever laid my eyes on. So easy to correct, no biting, calm and relaxed. So calm in fact that, once we came back he seemed almost a bit too slow in motion. I realize now he was just exhausted and tired with impressions, because he has perked up quite a bit since. 

Darwin loves water. He has now stepped into, kicked over and clumpsily bumped into the outdoor watering bowl on a few occasions. The watering can was also very interesting. He's almost even more adorable when wet, if that's even possible!

At first he seemed so timid. The stairs up to the house were scary. But after some careful nudging, he's now running up and down without issues (most of the time!)

He's such a cool, laid back pup. One that also follows and runs after us, and shows no signs of wanting to take off when he's out in the open without a leash. Oh and yes, the leash was a little scary. I think we're going to go slowly with that one.

How can you not be in love? Such a sweet face. Such a calm demeanor. We're going to be the best of friends.

I really don't think it gets much better than this. Of course, I happen to be writing this at 2:45 at night, after taking baby out. I'm thinking he'll probably wake up in another 3-4 hours ready to go out again. So, not a huge amount of sleep tonight, but that doesn't matter. He seems to like the space underneath the bed, I've been hearing him crawling around. And I'm chuckling to myself thinking he better not get too comfortable under there, because he can barely fit now, and soon enough he won't fit at all. Those paws are big and he's going to grow large and handsome I'm sure. 

Have you ever seen anything quite this precious? Let's just say you haven't. He takes the prize for the most precious dog ever. And he's ours and I couldn't be happier.