Cheers to a dog-tastic early Thanksgiving

My 6-month-old puppy Gaia got to meet one of her canine cousins, and I got to meet both of my boyfriend’s sisters for the first time last weekend.

We celebrated Thanksgiving early at their dad’s house. Both sisters own dogs, and one was able to bring her pooch, a 4-year-old mutt named Miller.

At first, Gaia seemed terrified. She hid upstairs most of Saturday morning, occasionally peering down from the top of the stairs to see if he was still around. Sometime in the afternoon, she grew bolder and ventured to the bottom of the stairs. As soon as she spotted Miller and he ran over to say hello, she would dart back upstairs.

But by the end of the night, she overcame her fear. I was thrilled. Miller, eh, not so much.

Gaia never left him alone after she discovered he wasn’t going to hurt her. Everywhere he went, she went. If he looked out the window, she looked out the window. Plus, she licked his face and neck constantly. Miller was her first puppy crush.

I’m just glad he was old enough and patient enough not to mind. Part of his willingness to endure her puppy antics might’ve been aided by a few edible bribes I brought along, but Gaia doesn’t need to know that. I think the experience last weekend taught her a lot about socializing with other dogs. I definitely can’t wait for the next puppy play-date.

As for me, I think the weekend turned out well, too. I’d met my boyfriend’s dad a couple times before. We get along well because we both love to cook, and I love to browse his awesome kitchen gadgets. But I hadn’t met the sisters. Both of my boyfriend’s sisters brought their significant others — one boyfriend, one husband — and we all got along swimmingly.

It didn’t seem awkward at all to be the one person who didn’t know everyone beforehand. I think part of that might’ve been aided by the fact we are all dog people.

At least for me, I think the hardest part about meeting the family is getting through the first hour or two of conversation without feeling out of place. I knew I’d be home free if I could survive the getting-to-know-you questions and stare-at-my-drink-until-the-new-person-says-something moments.

With my boyfriend’s sisters, it was more of the former than the latter. But during the potentially awkward moments between getting the scoop about me, we talked about our dogs. So, I got through the first couple hours just fine. I love sharing Gaia’s funny poop stories with people who aren’t grossed out by them.

I really enjoyed myself and felt welcome the entire time, which doesn’t always happen. My boyfriend’s dad, sisters and their significant others seem like wonderful people. The food was fantastic; the wine was great. The dogs had fun.

Meeting the family turned out to be a big success, and that’s something I’m really thankful for this year.