Susan, I want to "second" everything that Saskia has said above. Even when we only had one dog, we still had a crate both upstairs (in our bedroom) and downstairs (in the family room). We brought each of our three dogs home as puppies, and by introducing them to the crate in a very positive manner, they ended up viewing them as their own little dens or sanctuaries. Now as adults, I seldom ever have the need to actually close either of our girls inside their crate (usually only when I have workers in the house or visitors who may not be comfortable with dogs). But with the doors left standing open, both of the girls frequently go into their crates all on their own just to lay down and nap in a quiet spot away from noise or bustle.

As puppies, the crates were invaluable in order to give us all quiet times during the day even when we were at home, and also to establish a safe haven for the puppy to sleep at night and also when we needed to be away from home. I know Saskia will be able to give you great hints as far as crate training.

And you know, I agree with you that I think it would please Palmer to know that the new baby will be all safe-and-sound in his crate. I think I once wrote about this elsewhere, but we had a big cozy dogbed for our beloved Barkis with his name stitched across the bottom. Oh, how it broke our hearts to see that empty bed after he died. And we thought that maybe we should put it away forever since it was HIS bed with HIS name. But we hadn't ended up moving it before we brought baby Peg home, and as soon as she walked into our bedroom for the first time, she made a beeline for it, sniffed it, and then settled her little tiny self right into the middle of it. It was a very powerful and tender moment for us. Because it felt as though her big brother at The Bridge had welcomed her home and given us permission to welcome her into our hearts.

Oh, only a week to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can hardly wait!

Marianne