The puppy honeymoon phase is over. I find I'm bribing people to take the dog out to the bathroom more frequently. (Mag works for leftover Christmas candy canes and tonight a few dollars did the trick. Gussy works for free and doesn't know that Mag gets kickbacks now and then. She has more responsibilities so I think she has earned the incentives.) When the wind chill was -33 for a few days, who in their right mind would have wanted to go outside? Even the dog wondered why we were making her go outside to use the potty. She'd look at me once we got outside - with her fluffy hair blowing everywhere - barely able to stand and swear I could hear her say, "You can't make me do this. Are you for real? It was so much warmer and cushy on my tushy to go INSIDE the house, Mama." I'm thankful for this product. It works. She never goes in the same place twice. Lol!
She did not like the vet visit today. I can see it in her facial expressions. Not to mention the constant fight or flight reactions to everything and everyone. "Let's get the heck out of here!" I really need to socialize her. She is afraid of practically everything. (Btw, John called this a yuppie puppy photo. haha)
These two have become good buddies. Tonight, Joachim was taking her for a walk indoors. I am not sure who was walking whom. Joachim is always sharing his toys with her. (I hate that because Bijou has chewed up a few nice wooden ones.) I find I am picking up Jojo's toys at a rapid pace all day and have become a hawk. I can't wait until next fall when the puppy phase is over. She will be less work (I hope) and I can trust her more when she is out of her crate. Do I regret getting a dog? Mostly, no. Is it work? Heck, yes. I knew it would be. I remember it vividly from previous experience. The difference it that the smell does not bother me this time and she is super cute and snugly despite her shenanigans now and then. Are there days I think, WHAT WAS I THINKING? You bet. But that was only around Christmas time when it was so busy. I am still a happy dog owner despite all the work. I know when summer gets here, it will be better when she is able to run around and play outdoors. Right now it is too cold on her paws and she can't stay out too long to play with the kids in the snow.
Which reminds me....
I wish I had taken a photo of her a few days ago. The kids had taken her for a walk to the neighbors where they were sledding down their hill. They came back 20 minutes later and Bijou looked like she had been transformed into a snowman. Her entire underside was PACKED with snow - the Abominable Snowman. It was really funny! I felt bad for her though, so I quickly put her in the bathroom sink and began melting away the snow with warm water because there was no way it was going to come off without hurting her it was that badly packed into her long fur. She held completely still like she was receiving special spa treatment. She usually hates baths so I knew how miserable she must have been. (Speaking of baths, she looked so grungy for her vet visit today. She needs some TLC tomorrow.) Okay. Enough about the dog. I can't believe I am talking about a canine so much. She IS a part of our life now. I loved animals when I was little. I had always made fairy tale wishes they would begin talking to me like Beatrix Potter characters. I have very fond memories of animals when I was young. They were very much a part of my life. I hope this is a sign of growth that I am tolerating them again at almost 41;-)
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