As you know we brought Kara home at the weekend and it's true, you do forget what hard work they are. Penny (although still a handful at times) has settled down to be a lovely dog. Very calm, nothing really bothers her (treats turn her into a demon though ).
Of course now we have Kara it feels as if our lives are no longer our own. I have the added advantage of course, that I can look at Penny and see how she's turned out and know that things can only get better.
Even though I'm absolutely shattered (and so's Ian) when she comes toddling over to you for a cuddle everything else just disappears and you can't help but love her.
Hope the change in diet continues to help things improve. Best of luck.
Thanks for posting this Lucy! I think it is good for potential puppy owners to read to see that it isn't all sweetness and light getting a dog. It is hard work too! I should be getting my little pup in about 3 weeks time and its good to hear the bad side too so that I am prepared for it!!!
I really enjoyed seeing your pictures of Phoebe too!
I had to smile reading all of your little problems.....we are going through exactly the same thing at the moment with George and this has really enlightened me and cheered me up. If I hear my other half say 'I wish we'd never had him' once more then I will just scream!
George was lovely for the first couple of weeks, he slept allday and I mean ALLDAY!....Now your lucky if he sleeps for one minute of the day! We are constantly watching him, you just cannot take your eyes of him for a second, otherwise he has stolen and destroyed, the tv controls, mobile phone, phone charger...not to mention jumping up and stealing car keys, cheque books, wallet/purse! I could just scream, or cry!
Then like you there is the barking and growling and nipping if we tell him off or he hasn't got his own way...the constant worry of will he be an aggressive dog and to think it took me a good 18months of begging and perserverance on my other half to actually allow this puppy into our home!
Sometimes I do actually want to get rid of him, but then he'll look at me in that way with those eyes and I just think, no, wait he will be okay....not sure my other half feels the same though and has warned George many times that he's off to the breeder or we should have chosen his brother!
Thank god that there are other people that feel the same way. We brought Bailey home last Tuesday, by Friday I felt like a complete failure. I even posted an advertisement for him in the local paper; my husband was beyond annoyed...I had bought the puppy to keep me and my other Lab, Degas company whilst I am on long term sick. Something rather than watching loose women!
I know how hard dogs are, Degas was no picnic; but I never imagined it would ever be this draining. If this is what having children is like then I will tie up my tubes tomorrow. I keep worrying that it won't get any better...but I know it will, Degas is one of the most important things in my life. I never knew I could love something so much; but it did take me a long time to get past the little bugger stage and reach the lovable companion he is. I am sure Bailey will be the same.
I felt exactly that way when I got Jackson back in Septemer at 7.5 weeks old. I took a week off work and me and my partner travelled up to Wales from Brighton on the sat in different cars. We picked him, popped him in my car and Penny drove down to Devon as her dad was going to have a heart by pass, and i drove home.
It was probably as good idea that it was just me as that 1st week was very stressful i.e lack of sleep, constantly worring about how I am going to cope with his naughty behaviour, weeing, practically everthing!
Well that was just the start of it, he got bitey and bitier, chewing, jumping, nicking everything. So in November we had the crazy idea of getting Winston! He is his cousin and is two weeks younger. This calmed him down almost immediatly. He learned bite inhabition from him and is so gentle now at 7 months old. They are the best of friends, naughty, but getting better behaved by day.
I am so in love with them, and although yesterday they ate some dead thing out on a walk and had very upset tummies in the night, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Jackson is laying quietly warming my feet and Winston is asleep next to me on the couch!
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