Welcome Franklin Elizabeth Helminski!

What's the next logical step after getting a house? Why getting a dog of course! Welcome our darling girl, Franklin Elizabeth Helminski!

Bringing home puppy!

The Story of Franklin -

For as long as I've known Gloria she's wanted a tan, Pit mix, with blue-green eyes. Her love affair with Pitties started when she met Gally, Kara's precious Pit/Lab who just recently went to doggie heaven. We both used to help watch Gally when the Franklins were out of town so that's when I fell in love with Pitties and vowed to adopt a Pit rescue.

Getting a dog was always a part of our family plan but our unpredictable living situation kept us from taking the leap. When we found out we were finally coming home and staying put, we started keeping our ears peeled with local rescues. We found a couple great groups called "Rescue Dogs Rock" and "Dog Town Rescue" and came across a story that just broke our hearts:

A lovely dog named Roxy who was about to be euthanized was rescued off a Craigslist post. When her new dad took her to the vet, Surprise! She was pregnant! Roxy gave birth to 11 puppies and wouldn't you know, they were all tan and brown Pittie mixes with blue-green eyes. Unfortunately, the landlord at Roxy's apartment was a big jerk and wanted the puppies out - so much so, that he turned off the AC in the middle of the summer! A call was put out for foster parents and forever homes.

Roxy's Royalty

As we followed the puppies' progress we learned they were born on July 18th - our last day in London and they were all going to be given names of British royalty because their foster mom was from England! How could we not adopt one of these pups?

When we went to see the 11 babies doggies to pick our own and the first one that came running up was "Elizabeth" who proceeded to lick the *@&%@# out of my feet. Well, nothing says "take me home" like a thorough puppy saliva foot bath so we knew she was going to be ours.

And yesterday, at 9 weeks old, Franklin Elizabeth "Frankie" Helminski said good-bye to her wonderful 2nd foster mommy, Holly and came home to The Flying Helminski Circus.

Thank you, mama Holly!

"Frankie, what a peculiar name!", you may say - well as all things Flying Helminski we of COURSE have a story to the name. We were introduced by Kara FRANKLIN and always said we'd name our first dog-child, Franklin so that's where the name comes from. It's also a bit serendipitous because Elizabeth is my sister's name and she is also responsible for Gloria and I being together. It was meant to be!

Here are some highlights from Frankie's first day home:

1) She peed on our floor rug within her first 30 minutes in the house, but that was the only accident for the whole day and she's been doing great going potty outside.

I did pee.

2) She loves her fluffy toys Big Beaver, Bear, and Hedgehog.

I am the Queen.

3) Holly did a great job crate training her and she already goes right in to her crate for naps and sleeping.

4) Frankie likes to sit by the back door and watch the neighborhood kids play

Up and down and up and down...

5) Prior to today, we hadn't met anyone in our neighborhood - but because Frankie is the most adorable little puppy in the world, she made a fantastic ice breaker and we met about 7 families and new friends.

Frankie has already brought us so much joy - we are ready for some sleepless nights but figure it's a great way to train for future Helminsklings to come.

Our little family!