As I sit watching ESPN Sunday morning, I chuckle quietly as my boyfriend cleans "eye boogie's" from our new puppy's face with one of her play socks.

Yes, it's the same boyfriend that was against getting a puppy in a past column. He is also the one who now insists she watch football, and sleeps on the floor with her between games.

The humor in the situation has to be the fact that they totally love each other. Only on the rare occasion that she does something naughty do I hear the sudden "look what your dog did."

While playing tug-of-war, my boyfriend pulls out the "who do you like more" question and proceeds to shake her head up and down in a yes motion in response to his name. Of course that also means there is a no motion following my name.

I will admit that I'm a proud mom. Unfortunately for my coworkers I've become the girl who gives the daily updates of "Guess what Ellie did?"

We gave our puppy the name Ellie May. It's a very feminine name considering there are a few things that aren't so feminine about her.

On more than one occasion she has cleared the room with a smell that makes nose hairs curl. This usually happens when she is sleeping. Only to an untrained eye does she appear completely innocent.

Talking back happens to be another of her fine qualities. I have never had a dog vocally back talk, but Ellie does. The first time it happened, I was rolling on the floor with laughter. She had stolen my favorite blanket from the couch and knew she was doing something she wasn't supposed to.

When I took it away from her and told her "NO" she followed that up with a big bark of defiance. Ellie's bark was followed with another "NO," and another very serious yelp. Needless to say we have been working on obedience since then.

I know that this is only the beginning of the adventures with Ellie. I'm sure there will be more stories to come being the proud mom and all.

Jonda Pingetzer is the page designer for the Columbia Basin Herald and proud puppy owner.