Mr. Darcy meets the garden. And the cows.

People (not least Older Daughter) have been asking for Cute Puppy photos of Mr. Darcy. So, without further ado, let's watch his adventures over the last two weeks.

Like all puppies, he sleeps on the order of 18 hours a day. (He's very active the rest of the time.)

"What?"

At this age, it's all about what will fit in his mouth. Needless to say we now have a variety of chew toys, but sticks are still a favorite.

After his first few days with us, I introduced Mr. Darcy to the garden -- and the garden won.

This pup loves water, so every time I tried to water a tire, he was right underneath the spray.

Then he discovered the joys of rolling in pine-needle mulch.

Fortunately he was rolling in a bed of potato (multiplier) onions which are ready to harvest anyway, so I wasn't too fussed over his endeavors.

I continued walking around the garden, watering the tires, with the puppy on my heels. Then all of a sudden Mr. Darcy disappeared. I looked around and found he was back in the same onion tire, rolling in the pine needle mulch.

I continued watering, but then once again Mr. Darcy -- disappeared. Completely. Couldn't find him at all. Turns out he was small enough to slip through the fencing, so he was outside the garden, waiting patiently for me on the doorstep of the house. Okay, current score: Garden, 1; Darcy, 0.

We have willow trees dropping their leaves in our yard, and I'm amazed at how cryptic he is among those leaves. His fur is just about the same color. I guess they're called golden retrievers for a reason.

C'mon -- look at that face!

'

(Now look at this face!)

Yep, the world is a chew-toy at this age.

Next step: Meet the cows! All our bovines were just as curious about this little bundle of energy as he was about them.

Darcy stared with fascinated fear at these enormous quadrupeds.

He would retreat...

...then inch closer, fascinated. And fearful.

You could almost see the thought bubble over his head: "Those are BIG dogs!"

It was a standoff for about ten minutes...

...until Darcy decided discretion was the better part of valor, and made a strategic retreat. And that was the end of the cow encounters (for now).

So little Mr. Darcy is settling in very well to our wacky family life.

And he is undeniably cuuuute.