Archive for the ‘dog ownership’ Category
Bringing home a new puppy
This is Ebbie
My sister lives in California and is feeling ready to invite a dog into her life. She found this little guy, Ebbie. Here’s a link to his rescue organization.
Anyway, as we were talking I told her the advice I tell all new dog owners. And this applies to you whether you are adopting a rescue dog, a rescue puppy, buying a pet store dog/puppy (but you wouldn’t do that now would you?) or buying from a breeder:
First, bring your dog home and give him a walk around your neighborhood. For a small dog it can be a small dog walk – around 30 minutes. For a larger breed, a larger walk, at minimum an hour, better to be longer. Keep the walk controlled meaning the dog should be at your side or behind you. Remind him of his place as often as necessary, either by a gentle tug on the leash and a correction word/sound, or by stopping in your tracks whenever he starts to pull on the leash. If this doesn’t get his attention (more…)
Puppy Report
A lot has happened, I hope I can remember it all. First of all, I called everyone who adopted puppies and heard back from everyone …and everyone had WONDERFUL things to say about their new family members! I was thrilled. Everyone seemed to be doing well and really falling in love with their new dog. Some families reported that potty training was nearly complete, others that it was still in full swing. Both of these extremes (and everything in between) are normal for puppies. They are small, and subsequently their bladders are small and therefore they need to pee frequently. Add to that the lessons they have to learn about holding it and indicating to us when they need to go and it makes sense that this first lesson is a difficult one for some pups.
The families with resident dogs reported that their puppies had inserted themselves into their pre-existing dog packs with confidence, some even trying out their dominance at this young age! (more…)
Annie is Moving On
Annie and pup
Annie seems to get that I don’t want her to nurse the puppies anymore. She is an amazing dog. So sweet, so wanting to please. I tried to help her realize that her life gets to be good now. She gets to be the center of attention. She gets to be cared for and doesn’t have to work so hard to take care of her puppies anymore. They are grown now and she can go on with her life and really really enjoy it. She has settled down so much lately. Last night she curled up into me and just sighed as I stroked her ears and told her how much I appreciated her.
Annie leaves us this afternoon for her new forever home. I worry about her, hoping the transition to her new family goes well. Hoping they love her as much as I’ve grown to love her. Hoping that she loves them and trusts them as much as she seems to have grown to love and trust me. I never take that trust and love for granted. I always feel honored and blessed when I see it. Every time.
So little time, so much to do
I can’t believe it, it is almost over. It is so abrupt; one day you are scrambling to find time to sit down and the next day they are gone and there is this huge hole in your life. But now is the busy time, where they are needing SO much and I have so little left to give. Plus, I am letting go, spending far less time with them so it doesn’t hurt so much when they leave. I am up late at night, reviewing the adoption decisions I’ve made, hoping the families will be good matches. I can only do so much and then I have to just let it go. Let it be what it will be. This is difficult work. Remember when I was saying that I would be happy to see them go? Well, I will be happy to have my house back and my time back and my dogs and family back but I will miss their little fuzzy bodies and puppy breath (what makes is stink so?) and their growing personalities. But (more…)
