This weekend we welcomed a new member to the family … a six-week-old Australian Shepherd Christopher named Maddy. (This is the picture that induced Craig and Chris to drive halfway across the state to get her!)

Like all babies, Maddy is both a lot of work and a lot of fun. Her blue eyes will turn one day, we’re told. The biggest challenge is persuading her to piddle in the snow at 3 a.m. (I can hardly blame her; I wouldn’t want to plant my delicates in the frost, either.)

At 5 a.m., when I get up with her again, I sometimes encourage the process along a bit with a little song sung a tune from “The Music Man.” (Remember the “Pick-a-little, talk-a-little” number that is sung with “Good Night Ladies?) In case you ever find yourself walking the floor in the wee hours with a puppy, I thought I’d share it with you here:

First the slow part (Good night ladies)

“Good-night, Maddy. Good-night, Maddy.
Good-night Maddy. It’s time to go to SLEEP!”

(Now the fast “Pick-a-little” part):

“Eat a little, poop a little, eat a little, poop a little,
SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP, poop a lot, eat a little more.
Eat a little, poop a little, eat a little, poop a little,
SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP, eat a lot, poop a little more.
Eat a little, poop a little, eat a little, poop a little,
SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP, poop a lot, eat a little more.
Eat a little, poop a little, eat a little, poop a little,
Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep,

“Good-night Maddy…” (repeat).

Okay, I’ll admit it’s a lot funnier at 3 a.m. … I imagine it would work with insomniac babies, too!

Oh… If you’re still reading this, be sure to tune in to Al Kresta’s show today at 3:00 … Yours truly will be in the studio, talking about EMN!