The Dog House

Lovely photo - great that you found him. We always have rescue dogs now - been so very lucky so far!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/greatest-animal-photobombers-of-all-time

A few months ago, by now getting to several months, when Katy was first troubled by this and that, she would steal books to gnaw on and also grab toilet paper. But she didn't do any of that before.

I took it as trouble, since my parent's dog ate stuff with soon problems (this in the 1930's).

Katy never did any of that when she was first with me.

So - maybe dogs claiming toilet paper are not big deal - or maybe they are.

Plus, that dog is smart..

http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/things-everyone-knows-are-true

My baby is growing up...he's 5 1/2 months old now. He finally lost two more baby teeth this week that had been hanging in there. He really is a sweetie pie.

Five and a half months old already? Strewth, that's scary, where does time go!

He's gorgeous - a lovely little fellow. Love his toy!

He's crazy about that stuffed lion, and it's amazing it's in one piece given how regularly it gets mauled by him.

He's got so many toys, and chew toys, of every conceivable type, that it almost borders on the insane, but he's really good at amusing himself by playing with all of them. And I seem unable to walk into any store that sells dog toys without getting him a new one because he really enjoys them so much.

I bought him this car carrier...

and I leave it, with the top zipped, but one of the doors open, in the house, so he can get used to being in it. And he drags loads of toys into it and then he curls up in it for a nap.
It's a great carrier, perfect to use in the car, very lightweight and completely ventilated, and it neatly folds up into a flat little package when you're not using it. I'm really happy with it, and so is he. Although getting that door zipped, while trying to keep him inside it, can be a task. He likes to be inside it on his terms, which means he's able to get out of it. But, once in the car, he settles down inside it and is very good. He's still much too active to travel in the car with just a harness tethered to the seatbelt, he really needs the carrier, and so do I, so I can concentrate on driving.

He's really a delight, a happy, energetic, playful, affectionate puppy. And the intelligence of poodles never fails to amaze me, he's very smart, that's one of the things I really admire about the breed. He keeps me on my toes. And I am crazy about him.

I recommend puppy therapy, vonny. He has helped me overcome the grief I felt, and the void I had, when I lost my 15 year old dog in January. He looks very much the way she did as a puppy, and his antics remind me of her at that age, and those are very happy memories. So, while I'm watching him grow up, I feel like I have her (and her 3 predecessors as well) still with me, and that's a very nice feeling. I am a lifelong confirmed chocolate poodleholic--they have all been incredible dogs, just wonderful, all of them.

We all don't, or even can't, do puppy therapy.
I zone in to close to living with no money at all and Vonny lives in a wheel chair and she's not all that much richer than me, just a guess. Puppy training?

Very unlikely I'll ever be any where near as close to another dog than Katy. That's part of my grief but relatively minor, it's her gone that is killing me.


I'm trying to stay out of your conversation with Set (whom I don't think of as god, but does know dogs rather well and you keep instructing him, like he's an old fool. I know you mean well, but this is not dumbo).

We've considered it, but feel that it's still too early. When we do feel ready, we will adopt from a rescue centre, and may decide to go for an old dog this time. Puppies are adorable- hard not to melt when you're around them - but there are so many elderly dogs who have been left homeless because an old person has died or gone into a home.

I guess, in the end, we'll just play it by ear. Dogs have a funny habit of just 'happening' to one. But Osso is right in that finance is an important factor to consider. Also, we have our bitch, Megan, to consider. At ten she hasn't slowed down, but a puppy might be a bit much for her!

vonny has expressed an interest in getting a puppy, osso, that's why I said that to her.

I've got a very bad back, and really have great difficulty walking, and I'm not as young, or as energetic, as I used to be when I raised my three previous puppies, so I had a lot to consider too, including whether I could adequately care for this one, and the somewhat depressing fact that he might outlive me. It was actually my Vet, who I've used for over 30 years, who convinced me that, if I needed a dog, I should stop worrying and bring another dog into my life. And I needed this dog in my life right now, and he needed me too.

I could not do what you did with Katy--take a senior dog into my life. I would know, in advance, that our time together would be relatively short. I could not deal with that, I know that about myself. And I admire you for being able to do that, and to share the love you did with Katy. And my heart genuinely goes out to you now because I know what that loss feels like.

We are all different. I cannot live happily without a dog in my life, and I will somehow manage to give this dog the best possible life I can. He has helped me deal with my grief over losing my last dog, but he has also brought something new and different into my life. But, what's possible for me to do, or what might work for me, doesn't apply to everyone, and I'm not suggesting it should.

I am fortunate in that finances are not a major drawback or problem for me. I can afford this dog, and I can provide whatever he might need in the way of veterinary care. Having a dog is an expense, and my past experiences have included considerable hefty expenses, even at times when I could not easily afford them. Everyone has to decide these things for themselves based on their own circumstances.

Ok, I get you.



and I did know re shortish. Not that so shortish.
I would have taken her anyway. My dear.

That's a big consideration, vonny.

I actually looked at some poodle puppies last summer because I knew that, although she seemed perfectly healthy at that time, my dog was approaching the end of her life span. After spending an hour watching 2 eight week old puppies run non-stop all over the place, I realized there was no way I could inflict their company on my senior dog, they would have driven her crazy and made her life miserable. I also realized I couldn't properly divide my time and attention between a puppy and an older dog. Puppies require a great deal of attention and time--you really can't ignore them. And my senior dog was still pretty energetic and playful, and she still deserved all the time and attention I could give her, and I didn't want her to feel she had to compete for any of it. When I had gotten her, I already had a 15 year old dog, but that dog had medical problems that kept her secluded and sleeping a good deal of the time, so she was barely aware of the new puppy in the house and it was quite easy to keep them apart without disrupting the older dog's life or needs.

So, I was glad I looked at those puppies last summer, it reminded me of what life with a puppy is like, but I'm also glad I didn't bring one home with me. I really had to consider my older dog first. And I'm happy that I did. A puppy's need to play, continually, and with high energy, can be too much for an older dog to comfortably tolerate.