I’m struck by how much new messaging technology has changed the experience of getting a dog. Just a few years ago, I’d go and see puppies for the first time five or six weeks after they were born.

I’ve seen photos and videos of Zinnia since the day she was born. I am fascinated to see her grow and evolve, I thank our breeder, Lenore Severni of Stonewall Farm Labradors for her diligence and thoughtfulness.

I’m learning a lot from her. Today, Lenore sent me a short video of the first Yoghurt feeding for Zinnia and the other puppies. Why Yoghurt?, I asked Lenore.

“It’s a good source of calcium and probiotics,” she answered, “I still give it as a treat to my older dogs, they like the Greek vanilla the best. I’m going to give some to our dogs, it makes a lot of sense.

We are going to meet Lenore this coming Tuesday, we’re going to Connecticut to get our first look at Zinnia. I wonder if I’ll be able to discern anything about her personality yet, it might be too soon.

We’ll see. The dogs are moving more fluidly, their eyes and ears are open. I think all of their coats will stay white, like their mother and father. Zinnia comes home on November 12.