Okay, okay, probably a pretty dramatic title, but that's kind of what I've felt like the last couple of days. The thoughts that have come to mind are as follows: "What were you thinking?" "Way to add MORE to your plate!" and "You didn't want another baby so you got ANOTHER BABY!!!"
So, I had this English Mastiff named Kado. I LOVED that dog and hoped he would live to 100. Although I knew this was unrealistic, I was devastated when he was taken by cancer just one week past his 6th birthday. AND, to top it off, I was 5 months pregnant at the time.
Curtis and I set into motion the five year plan: no major changes for five years. We agreed to stay in our little, 740 square foot apartment until I was done with school and then we would buy a house get ONE ("And only one," he says with conviction) dog. Ha. Ha. Ha. 11 months later our little apartment was all packed up and I had put a hefty deposit down on Lassie.
Let's fast-forward to this last Friday. After eight weeks of torture (I'm not sure how I made it through a whole pregnancy!) I was finally going to be united with my new puppy. We picked up Daciana ("little wolf") at 9:30 am and were blessed to have an afternoon to devote to her, Nealie-free. I brought Nealie home from school later that afternoon and they were immediate best buds. Really, it was a great first day.
Reasons to get a puppy: they're cute, you get to let them grow up with you and your family and will only have your "isms," it is very rewarding to train and bond with a dog from early on.
Reasons to NOT get a puppy: she herds Nealie and me, she nips at us as she herds, she chews on EVERYTHING, she chases the cat, she hates the idea of a collar and leash and screams as if you are beating her if you reach for it, she's pretty sure all small children are puppies and all adults are evil, every noise is terrifying, other dogs are bad news, the sleep deprivation is getting to me...
I remember having some similar feelings about Nealie a few months ago. No was a very commonly used word and I begged for time away from her. I figure having a baby has prepared me for the necessary patience and sleep depravity that is required here. But that doesn't make it easy.
So, before sounding like a pessimistic patsy, I'd like to inject a note of gratitude:
Daciana is a lovely puppy. She is pretty easy to redirect, she's getting the potty training thing pretty quickly, she ADORES our family, she's taken to her crate and even goes there for naps when Nealie's awake, she's one of the more mellow puppies I've been around...
Babies are a lot of work, regardless of their species. I am totally stoked to have this puppy, even if I feel like I'm just stuffing toys in her mouth long enough so she won't chew on Nealie or the couch or...
Number one thing that I am grateful for today is that I have the end apartment so I just have to get up and walk out the door to let the puppy outside. Now THAT is a miracle!!!
2 comments:
Well transitions are always hard. Just remember what it felt like when Nealie was born, and again when you first went back to school. You'll get through it and be enjoying your sweet little doggie soon. She really does seem like such a good puppy.
I can't wait to meet her tomorrow! Hopefully she and Linus can be fast friends...or we're in trouble over Thanksgiving huh?!
I second Alison's comment - it'll get better and there will always be days where you're like "get this dog away!" but you'll get used to her and she to you.
See you tomorrow!
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