My Take on Dogs

I am very proud and excited to share that I have returned to the wonderful world of dog owners! Daciana has been home since the 7th of November and is integrating into our lives very well. I must admit, I have missed being a part of the "Dog World" (yes, it exists). I love being a part of the baby world -- more specifically, I LOVE being a part of Nealie’s world. When I meet other moms at the playground, we don’t start chatting each other up about our children. However, that has always been my experience with other dog owners; there is just this bond that emanates between two people who have wet-nosed, furry companions.

So I have a pet peeve. The #1 comment that I have been receiving from the passersby who ogle at my puppy is: "Are you going to breed her?" Huh? Really? It's like the dreaded "When are you guys going to have more children" question. Perhaps I relate the two because both answers are the same: NEVER. I know that people ask these questions because I have a gorgeous, wonderful daughter and a sweet, fluffy puppy. I just get frustrated, probably because I have wavered on both issues.

I was talking with some friends the other day and I was very excited because Daci had only gotten up twice during the previous night. I told them that I thanked Nealie for teaching me about sleepless nights so that I was willing to get up with my puppy. This might sound silly, as a friend commented, that a baby has prepared me for a puppy, but it’s true. I got Kado when I was 18 or 19 and, when he woke up whining to go out, I refused and then got mad when I woke up to his accidents. So a friend made the comment that the difference between a dog and a baby is that you can get rid of the dog.

OUCH.

Over the years, I have owned a few dogs and it hurts my heart that I have been guilty of treating them as dispensable. I have this idea that dogs are a part of the family, but if that is so, then why are they thrown by the wayside so often? Having Nealie in my life has given me the wonderful gift of knowing that TODAY is the most important day, and that I am not too busy to focus on those most important to me.

Thanks Nealie.

Lions and Tigers and Nealie, OH MY!

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!!!