New Additions to the Blunch Family!

Our dreams are coming true this weekend--both Colleen and Reba are adopting puppies this Saturday! The puppies, as you can see above, are siblings and the cutest things on God's good earth. The girl, Chloe, is the sweet little lady on the right, and Watson, on the left, is Reba's sweet baby boy.

Obviously we have been going crazy as we prepare for these fluffernutters to arrive. After talking to pet owners, exploring Pinterest, and using our own two brains and past puppy experience, we have compiled the following list of "must-haves" for taking a new puppy home:

1. Crate

According to Amazon, there are literaly thousands of options for the perfect crate for your puppy. Colleen went with the old standard wire cage that allows the dog to have full visibility, and the tray on the floor is removable for easy cleanup. Reba's cage is more of a carrier with an enclosed look that is more secure for travel. The cage even includes attached doggie dishes for the little puppy. Both cages are size appropriate, both up to about 20 pounds each. Our puppies should reach from 8-15 pounds at maturity.

2. Dog bed

These puppies need something squishy to cuddle on when they are just chilling with their owners throughout the day and when they are finally able to sleep without constant supervision. Colleen's puppy bed is like a little bowl with high walls for comfy snuggling. Reba's bed is quite plush and the perfect size for a tiny little buddy.

3. Bowls

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of getting dog supplies is picking a style that compliments the owners. Colleen is much more girly than is Reba, so her dog bowls are bright, ceramic, and cute. You can see this Petsmart find below. Reba loves copper and vintage kitchenware, so Petsmart once again came to the rescue with the cutest copper bowls for Watson to enjoy.

4. Collar and Tag

Colleen went all fancy and ordered her tiny little dog collar from Manchester, England. However, the product was worth the wait, and we expect Chloe to look adorable in her new collar. Reba found a "Burberry" inspired collar and leash set that will fit perfectly with the "Watson" vibe.

5. Leash

Colleen found a retractable leash that will allow Chloe to have a much wider radius of mobility when they go for walks together. Reba is not so lenient; she found a 6-ft. long fabric lead that matches Watson's collar because her backyard is much smaller than the space Chloe will grow up in. We are excited to see how these puppies will adapt to leash-life.

6. Poop bags

Don't buy those expensive doggie bags for your puppy's doodoos. Dollar Tree, Colleen's favorite store on the planet, has poop bags and containers for $1.00! They attach quite easily to leashes, so owners can quickly grab the leash and simultaneously be ready for a walk in the park.

7. A Brush

Martha Stewart has a line of pet supplies at Petsmart, and her supplies are adorable. The brush that Colleen and Reba got is perfect for both tangles and shine, and the price is reasonable. Leave it to Martha to create something so great.

8. Training Pads

Expect your puppy to go poopy all over the place. This does not mean, however, that you do not have to be prepared. Colleen and Reba found at Dollar Tree, once again, dog training pads for quick clean-up during those first few weeks.

9. Food

Be sure that your puppy's food is as nutritious as possible, checking that some type of protein is the first ingredient with no added sugar and preferably grain-free. Many puppies have sensitivity to gluten, and there are few things sadder than a sick little puppy. It's also important to keep in mind what the puppy has been eating before it arrives at its new home. Check with your shelter or breeder to see what they have been feeding your baby before you go shopping. If you decide to change the puppies food, do so gradually, mixing in the new with the old little by little.

10. Treats

Puppies need treats as they are being trained, but they also need raw hides to keep their little mouths occupied so they do not start eating your shoes, as seen above...Don't over-treat your puppy, but have enough treats on hand for important training sessions.

11. Chew Toys

This is where the fun happens. Colleen found a chew toy that looks a baby's teething toy and a little piggy stuffed animal. Reba bought Chloe a Hello Kitty chew toy because she's an awesome aunt. Martha Stewart has the cutest chew toys for puppies, and this little squirrel below was the perfect size for these tiny creatures. It's important that these puppies have enough toys to keep them occupied as well as learn positive playing habits so they can learn what is fun and what is too rough.

12. Food containers

Keep that food nice and safe so you don't get pests or mold within your puppy's food. Also, puppies are pretty brilliant at opening food containers, so choose something your little Einstein can't get into easily. ALso, T. j. Maxx has the cutest food tins for storing this food. It looks much better than having a plastic container of dog food in the middle of the kitchen. You can see Colleen's food container below.