My routine has changed. My once typical morning of coffee, working out and writing has recently morphed into a whirlwind of chaos and fly by the seat of your pants activities, chores and running around chasing a tail. Literally, because I’ve got a new Puppy!!
Duncan, my lovable new sidekick, has permanently joined our family and there’s suddenly not a single shred of “routine or calm” in my day-to-day life. And, I could not be happier or more in love with this adorable, blonde, big brown-eyed Puggle weighing in at eleven lbs and standing one foot tall. Who doesn’t love a puppy?
I simply can’t.get.enough of him! My cup runneth over!! My heart is about to burst!! Hooray!!! I’m in puppy love!!!
Ohh, the big decision to adopt him was not something I arrived at lightly. It’s something I’d been thinking about for a long time. Something that my boys had been pleading for, well, for as long as I can remember. Clark? – well, his mantra for the past few years since I really started getting serious about getting a dog has been….. “Have you lost your ever-lovin’ mind? NO, Absolutely not…we are not getting a dog!”
So I did what any red-blooded American, empty nester female would do. I went out all by myself, searched high and low and not only found Duncan, but brought him home. “Ohh honey, I’m home!!…..Surpriseeee!!
I knew that the moment my Hubs saw the little guy skittishly romping and skidding across the kitchen floor towards him, that it would be love at first sight. He’d agree that I was right all along about adding this new little bundle of joy to our family. Annnnnd, it didn’t take Clark long to lose his heart forever to this perfect example of Man’s Best Friend. It didn’t take long for this tiny, mischievous, energetic pup and my hubs to become best buds.
Is it ironic that my decision to take the plunge and adopt this feisty, fireball of fur coincided with my boys arriving at young adulthood and living basically on their own and out of the house?? (*ehem*…I use the phrase ‘out of the house’ lightly) Nah, my friends and family all assure me that it is just my way of reacting to my mid-life crisis. But *I* say… there’s simply no time like the present!!
So, in the past month or so my routine has not only done a total 360, but my world has been opened up to life with a puppy. I’ve been diligently working to train and groom this sweet little canine into a well-disciplined member of the family. Some days are simple. Others, a great challenge.
Here are a few bridges we’ve crossed and things I’ve learned since his arrival into his new home and his permanent place into our family and our hearts…
What you learn when you live life with a puppy
Puppies care about your health!! They’ll go out of their way to get you up and outside with them. Often! The backdoor in now their personal scratching pad when they decide it’s time for you to get out and play with them. If that does not get your attention, their high-pitched squeak/bark will get your attention. Arrffff Arrrffff..
They don’t judge. They aren’t particular about what outfit you happen to hastily toss on when you notice they’ve squeezed through the backyard fence. They also don’t make judgements about what your hair looks like or that you’re in your bathrobe while chasing them down the block when they decide to take off after a midnight potty break.
They love to play games…like Hide and Seek. They pick the object and hide it somewhere you’d never think of looking for it. And you get to go seek it. FUN!
You’ll quickly get used to being mistaken for a human pin cushion. They use your arms and legs for teething. If you’re not stern enough, they’ll also use the legs of your funiture. Thank Goodness for the distressed wood fad that’s been in fashion in recent years. Let’s hope it’s here to stay for a while……
Pet insurance – their premiums may be higher than yours. This so-called “safeguard” is an evil necessity because let’s face it, who wants to get stuck with a $2000 vet bill for Physical therapy, thyroid conditions or God forbid, therapy sessions when they’re feeling blue. Right?
Puppies help you hone your time management skills. Want to run your usual day long errands? Not so fast, mister… You learn quickly to do 5 hours of activities and errands, in a zippy hour and twenty-two minutes. These these short hourly increments of free time are what you’re now allotted ~ at least while your sweet pooch learns the fine art of potty training.
They’re like babies. Suddenly you’re talking about poop and pee again, a lot. They make you feel absurdly proud. When you’re in public and see total strangers looking and smiling at your puppy, it’s hard not to smile and feel a sense of pride, which is somewhat ridiculous because you aren’t responsible for the existence of this creature, you paid too much money for it, in fact.
Puppy Proofing is essential. Puppies try to kill themselves everyday, all day, and in creative ways. Like… by chewing through electrical chords and eating scissors. Anything dropped on the floor is fair game if you can’t quickly lunge for it before they get to it.
Puppies increase the need for vacuuming, sweeping, mopping and tidying, in general. You’re house has never looked so clean! You’ve never been more organized as when you have a puppy around. Mainly out of necessity. Get it done now or don’t get it done!
The universe revolves around puppies. Suddenly you become dog-centric against your will. Your puppy is the topic of every conversation, and when it isn’t you find ways to steer the conversation back to your puppy.
Puppies disrupt sleep; Suddenly, we’re drawing straws on Saturday morning about who gets up with the puppy. Suddenly, you’re drawing straws each night about who takes puppy to the bathroom at midnight. I’ve caught myself feigning sleep in the wee hours, hoping my husband will jump at that task.
Ok, that being said – The trials and tribulations of training a young puppy will never measure up to the love you’ll have for your dog, or the love he brings you. You’ll never have a better or more loyal friend than this amazing, wonderful creature. They eagerly greet you, tail wagging and rump squirming, when you walk through the door at the end of a hard day. They’re ALWAYS happy to see you. Their affection towards you is the definition of unconditional love. They are the only thing on earth than loves you more than they love themself. He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
“The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.”
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Being Margaret 