DRY mentioned in another thread that I was adopting a parvo puppy that one of the vets I work with rescued. I just brought her home this morning! I am so nervous, I feel like all of a sudden I know nothing about animals. Kiwi is my very first dog. I’m used to taking in kitties…all I have to do is bring it in the house, drop it on the floor, and that’s that. Obviously not the same thing with a pup. She is making great strides in the crate training area, which is a relief to me, and my cats seem to be dealing with the change, which is another load off my mind. Also, I am lucky enough to be able to bring Kiwi with me to work, so she never has to be left alone. (That’ll also help with her crate training).
Anyway, she is so damn cute. I’m looking forward to spending the next 15 years of my life with her!
Kiwi is about 11 weeks old, and she is an Aussie. She has a kind of brownish dapple coat, still mostly puppy fuzz. And she is going to be one spoiled dog, let me tell you. I bought her three toys this morning. Also, once she stops shedding the parvo virus and get her vaccines, she will be going to puppy school and if she does well there, I plan on taking her through agility. Aussies need to do stuff like that, so they won’t get bored. (she can herd the cats around…hehehe) She is snoozing under my computer desk right now. I’m heading to bed in a few minutes, so we shall see how well she does in her crate while I sleep.
When I was a kid we didn’t have a dog (we had cats) but I married a dog-lover (who’s also allergic to cats). Now I am converted. Our two dachshunds are pure fountains of love. I’m sure your experience will be the same.
How lucky Kiwi is to have such a nice person as you for an owner Cyn. You will have your hands full in the coming months. Aussies are sharp as a tack and just as flat headed. An agility course is the best thing you can do. The training will give all the necessary stimulation and provide the muscular development that a confined dog would miss. Your little Kiwi will be a lamplight of joy for you.
Awwwww! Give Kiwi hugs and kisses from me, please.
When we got Spot, neither of us had any experience at all with dogs. We just closed our eyes and jumped, so to speak. He trained us good.
You may feel nervous at the moment, but you’ll get over it. After all, you have an actual diploma saying that you do, in fact, know a thing or two about doggies. Good luck!
Well, Kiwi made it throught the “night” so to speak. (I actually only slept from 1PM to 6:30PM…ugh). She whined a little bit after I put her in her crate and got into bed, but after a few minutes she settled down and went to sleep. Fisrt thing when I woke up, I took her outside where she did her business. just fed and watered all the cats, and fed and watered Kiwi in her crate, so she would not try to eat the cat food and vice versa. As soon as I finish getting ready for work I’ll take her outside again. Then she’ll come to work with me for the night. Poor little thing hasn’t figured out what her toys are for yet. I hope she learns to play because I plan on buying her a million more toys as soon as I get the money! and the cats are still acting as if nothing is different…whew!
Wow…my cats had a fit when I brought my puppy home. I had four cats at the time and my oldest cat teased the poor puppy all the time. At least that way I never had to worry about the dog picking on the cats!
That’s great you got a puppy, and here’s to hoping he doesn’t chew all your socks & shoes to pieces.
Congrats! You’ll make an excellent mother, Michi. You’re one of the most caring people I know, and I know you’ll devote a lot of that care to your puppy.
My first dog was an Aussie cross we found when he was between 1 and 2 years old. He was trained when we got him, and he was wonderful. He lived with us for fourteen years, so I was used to having a dog, but I’d never raised a puppy.
Last January, we fell in love with a Border Collie/Aussie cross pup at the Humane Association satellite in the local pet supply store. He’s a little over a year old now, and it’s been a real learning experience to bring a puppy up. Like you, I’d always had cats, and it’s a very different thing. It’s great that you’ll be able to spend a lot of time with your puppy. I think being able to stay home with my little guy really helped me bond with him (and vice versa). I hope you have as much fun with your baby as I’ve had with mine!
