This is Sabine. Sabine Margret.

We are the proudest of puppy parents. Gushing with pride.

We have been flashing photographs to cashiers and co-workers for weeks as we have bided the time until we could finally welcome this little gift of ours into our home.

There is something so frighteningly permanent about adopting a tiny living thing into your life. She is dependent upon us in every way, and I have constantly shuddered at the thought of that grand responsibility as my mind flips back through a long series of now-dead and once-forgotten house plants.

This little lady is very special to us. We already love her. She has filled every dinner conversation and been the topic of every drowsily-spoken last words before sleep.

Her name holds great significance to me, and though we did not pick it for these reasons, my romantic mind has found great meaning in these two titles we chose to be her very own. The name 'Sabine' comes from the terrible tragedy that was the Rape of the Women of Sabine, when hundreds of helpless women were taken from their homes to become the wives of strangers. 'Margret,' on the other hand, is derived from the Greek word for pearl. Combined, they form a story greater and more meaningful than any we could have dreamt up. 'Sabine' - crisis and tragedy - is followed by hope in 'Margret' - something beautiful which stems from pain. As we have recently been forced to learn in a deeper way than ever before, crisis often evolves into blessings. Pearls begin as irritants which the bodies of sea-inhabiting creatures seek to fight off, accidentally transforming them into something lustrous.

So, it our greatest pleasure to introduce you to our pearl of great price. We had other plans in mind for this coming year. Crisis struck. But just look at what precious things came from it.

Welcome to our world, little love.

Sincerely,

Mr. & Mrs. Pedantic and their Pedantic Pup