I have shamelessly used the total cuteness of kids and dogs before for Love Thursday, but that most certainly will not preclude me trotting out both again when a new litter makes an appearance ... and it has.

Dinah gave birth without a fuss the night before last to eight adorable Rottweiler miniatures that, for the moment, look more like tiny baby seals ... and thank heaven she did!

The kids have been going bananas waiting the sixty-three days of canine gestation, and although Sam has a pretty good grasp of the whole time thing, Cj is clueless.

Every morning for weeks on end, her first words have been, "Dinah's puppy? Me! Me Dinah's puppy?", meaning, Has that dog popped yet, because I can't wait to get my hands on a little version of our big dog.

She even came up with her version of a truly original name for Dinah's puppy: Dinah's Puppy.

We are keeping one of the eight, so we are in the market for a name. Dinah, as long-time readers know, is short for Dinahsaur, thanks to Sam, and we rather expected something along the same vein when we asked for his ideas this time.

We were, therefore, quite surprised when he came up with "Hala". Now, I think the only Hala I have ever of is CNN reporter Hala Gorani, so I was a bit confused over his choice until I realized he had thought this out quite well. Unless there's a big change over the next few weeks, our new puppy will be called, Hala Grrrrrrani.

As most Rottie owners know, these are wonderful dogs with kids, and Dinah is no exception. Although any stranger approaching our veranda steps is even more likely now to encounter a territorial mouth full of teeth since puppies are now inhabiting a corner, Sam and Cj remain welcome visitors to Puppyland. Thankfully, both kids are respectful and sensible, as well, so although we always keep an eye on everyone when kids and canines mix, there's no need for nervous hovering.

So, here are more ahhhhhh shots, and they come with a warning: Things are just gonna get cuter as the weeks go by, and by Christmas we're going to be pooping precious around here.

Photos ©2007 SHBenoiton