26 Miles

Good News / Bad News

// September 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // Life

Good news is we figured out an dinner eating pattern that keeps the puppy sleeping through most of the night. Bad news is she still wakes up before 6p. Zzzzzzzzzzzz…….

Puppy Blues

// August 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // Life

Sunshine and I finally caved to Doodle’s sweet, but persistent pursuit of canine companionship. A week ago we brought home Katie, a Cavalier King Charles puppy.

My thorough, if sporadic research on the best breed for our family settled me on the Cavaliers some time back. A little finesse with my little girl in steering her away from the cute but been-there-done-that Yorkie path and our little Cavalier rescue puppy was home.

I’ve had lots of dogs, but never been, you know, personally responsible for their care and house training. God Bless You parents and grandparents for your patience with these little creatures. I could always deflect responsibility for the dogs of my childhood off to them, and (not unlike many grandparents and children), “hand them back” when playtime was over.

I’m struck by the similarities between caring for an infant child and a puppy. Getting them “on a schedule”, “sleeping through the night”, and “pooping and peeing in the designated location” are all coming up again. Much like children their motivations are simple, their memories are short, they look at you with those big eyes and melt your heart, and their cuteness keeps you hanging-by-a-thread sane. We can also take consolation in the the fact that “It won’t be like this for long.”

All in all though she’s a good puppy — smart, playful and loving, and I’m glad she is here.