This bundle of cuteness, energy and sharp, pointy teeth that you see to your left is a 5-month-old chocolate Labrador Retriever named Cleopatra (Cleo for short). Cleo is the recently added family member of my good friend and colleague, Steve, and follows in the long and prestigious line of Labs before her. With plans to head out of town for the long holiday weekend, Steve asked us to puppy-sit for Cleo. We had looked after Steve's older dogs — the late Boomer and Pepper — several years ago and, it had been the easiest all-expenses paid stay in the city we've ever had. So the prospect of another four nights in a Soho loft, chillin' with a dog, drinking Steve's beer and enjoying city living sounded like a great idea to us. It was a win-win situation. We agreed.

And how did things go? Well, let's just say that we were foolish to think that taking care of a puppy is anything like taking care of even two older dogs. After four days, Beth and I are cover with puncture wounds from that mouth full of pointy teeth and we are exhausted from the 5AM wake-up-it's-time-to-play barking sessions. I don't expect any sympathy from my readers (especial the parents among you), but I will say that we were caught just a bit off guard by Cleo's needs. Nevertheless, we kept our cool, accepted the drool on our clothing and mopped up her accidents with little complaint. That's why God makes them cute, right? — so we don't want to kill them.