I'm getting a dog in 5 days. Because the one thing missing from my life was a greater variety of animal poops to clean up.
At this point all I know is that he'll be a male.
I don't know what colour he'll be OR what I'm going to name him. For someone who makes their living by stringing words together in a clever or entertaining fashion I've found my Achilles heel is with naming pets.
And writing sexy novellas.
My dog is coming from a respected long time breeder who does extensive genetic testing with her litters.
So why a breeder for my dog and not a rescue like all of my cats? Because I wanted a purebred dog, with specific attributes and a known health history.
You may have noticed I haven't told you the breed. Don't worry, I will in my next post when I finally have him here with me but you might be able to tell from the photos. If you're clever like that.
The reason I don't know which dog I'll be getting is because the breeder has a big hand in matching puppies with families because she's the one who has come to know the dog's individual personalities over the past 8 weeks.
Since she has and breeds show dogs, the breeder wants to make sure that the puppy with the most championship show potential will go to someone who is actually going to show the dog.
I will not.
I will not show the dog.
I will not show the dog because I don't have time to add another thing to my life.
I will not show the dog because I don't have time to add another thing to my life even though I bet I'd really like it and it sounds like fuuuuuuuuuun and who doesn't like the Westminster dog show?!
NO. No, no, no.
But maybe competitive agility training would be fun.
No.
But maybe.
So I won't end up with the dog that has the most show potential. Which is fine - I want a puppy with the best *pet* potential. Show potential in puppies is best judged when they're 8 weeks old. The same age they usually are when they go to their homes.
So it takes that long for the breeder to decide which dog to hold back for showing.
Once the breeder has picked out the show puppy at 8 weeks, then she starts assigning puppies to families based on the puppy's personality and the needs and wants of the family.
This litter has white puppies and black puppies.
Both of the colours are nice and when I went to meet them for the first time last weekend they were all beautiful, friendly, rolly polly balls of fluffy fur that I'd be happy to take care of.
It could be him ...
Or possibly him ...
Please enjoy this view of my dirty gardener fingernails.
There are two other hims that it might be as well.
I've never raised a dog before. But I'd never visited a tumbling cyclone of puppies until a week ago either and I did really REALLY well with that so I should be good.
Plus I've watched 10,782,540 hours of YouTube videos on dog training in the past 2 years.
Although I've watched 10,782,541 hours of YouTube videos on how to curl your hair and I still can't do that so ...
I haven't been this joyously excited about something in a very long time. It's kid at Christmas kind of excited.
No name. No idea which dog. But a whole mess of chew toys. That is where I am today.
He'll be home with me and Ernie on Saturday.
I bought calming phermones for my cat Ernie and calming phermones for the puppy. In turn, the puppy and the cat will act as calming phermones for me, plus I have CBD butter for myself if needed.
If all goes well I expect we'll be living happily together without any stress by about year 2.
The official puppy introduction post will come in a week or two.
I expect the perfect name will come to me about 6 months after I've already named him.
Suzy Charto
I have a suggestion. Get this book - https://sue-eh.ca/product/training-levels/. I have never met Sue in person and I have no financial interest. I did the levels and didn't go to the end and still I had a dog who was well trained.
She breaks training into small steps. I recommend this book all the time. In addition she is so generous with her time. A real Canadian treasure.
About the name - it's an old saying. A dog owner has a million names for their dog and the dog answers to all of them. Our pup is called Mulligan aka as mully, mulliganster, Miss Mully, the beast, semi-domesticated, etc and when she is bad I turn to my husband and say your dog. Enjoy the puppy I miss puppy breath.
Bea
So happy for you! Getting my puppy was the best decision ever- he is 8 now, and my best friend. And, yes, when he was a puppy, I frequently thought I was out of my mind, getting a dog 😂
Sharon M Prystup
Hey Karen, my heart goes out to Ernie, especially at his age. I am happy your pup will have a good home but I fear Ernie may not be around for the two-year mark you mentioned in the post. May I suggest keeping new puppy separate from Ernie for a few months, while Ernie gets used to the young, energetic, bundle-of-joy canine?? As well as all the unfamiliar smells he'll associate with a playful pup that might appear to an elderly feline as something wanting to attack him, ernie's older heart function should be considered too. Had a friend who adopted a wonderful, playful older cat a few years ago. I fell in love with the big kitty! My friend decided they werent compatible and took him back to the pet shop. He had a heart attack shortly after she dropped him off because the attendants said he wouldn't stop meowing, he was so sad. It broke my heart cuz i told her i would have gladly taken him home with me had she let me know her decision ahead of time. Still brings tears to my eyes. Anyhow, not to be a downer, but please be aware of your long time companion Ernie as you introduce the youngster in his well established territory. Hope I didn't offend anyone. Ronnie
Nicole
Is your new puppy a Mudi? If so, I'm insanely jealous.
Regardless, the puppies are just adorable and good for you!
Monica Berens
Hi Karen, I've been a groomer for 56 yrs, and my specialty is standard poodles. Look to me like that is what you've chosen, and congratulations. One suggestion (coming from when I did breed dogs for awhile).. I sent my puppies to their new homes with a copy of Mother Knows Best by Carol Lea Benjamin. She's practical and funny, and a really easy read. Should be able to find it on Amazon. Just remember, a dumb dog is easier to live with, and a smart dog is a challenge, and way more fun. I've never met a dumb standard. Have fun!
Pat
I just lost my dog and won’t be getting another for a while and this news makes me unreasonably happy! So happy for you!
Gretchen
SO exciting! I am very happy for you (and said dog)--this is going to be great! I can't wait to see/read all the stories! <3
Dawn
Hey Karen,
If you decide to train agility, Susan Garrett is the lady to go to. She posts and blogs dog stuff all the time and she is a champion agility dog trainer.
Plus, she has a new puppy she is agility training right now. I think the puppy is about 6months old.
Excited for you! Good luck and have fun. You make me want to add a new puppy to my pack of one.
Lisa
Congratulations Karen! We bought a mini goldendoodle in January just before the pandemic hit us in Texas. She is a wonder! Fully house trained in 1 week with only 1 "accident." So don't dread it too much. It may go like a breeze! When Rosie was 8 months old she lived for a month with a professional trainer who then trained US. It was hard to be without her for that month. The trainer sent us videos of how much she was learning. And WE learned so very much. I have had dogs all my life and read all the training books and watched all the videos I could, but I learned more in 3 lessons with Rosie's trainer than I did in all the other sources. Of course you have to be very careful in choosing your trainer and make sure they ONLY use positive reinforcement. The most important thing we learned (and continue to learn) is training must be FUN and reinforced regularly. You'll find what works best for your little buddy. But Rosie will do just about anything for chicken jerky that we buy at Costco and tear into little bits. If she knows I have jerky in my pocket I just have to look at her and she knows what to do!
Shauna
So exciting and so super cute!! We just went to Kauai and did the thing with the Humane Society there where you take the dog out for a field trip. They gave us a dog that reminded us of our current dog when she was young, we fell in love and (because we suckers), we adopted her and brought her home with us...FROM KAUAI!!! She's 2 years old and still wasn't potty trained, so there have been some 'super fun' moments, like when I walked out of the bedroom and slipped and fell in pee almost doing the splits in the process (yay for pilates or might have actually hurt myself). It's weird having a young dog in the house again. At least you work from home so will be there with him/her all the time and can (hopefully) bring him/her to the garden with you.
Lynne Holtrust
I too have a new pup...my 3rd Golden from a great breeder...so with my daughters 2 we now have 5. It's a busy house...did I mention 2 cats????
Enjoy your new pup, life will never be the same.
BTW...I think your pup is a Curly Coated Retriever.
Lynne
Liz Walter
Congratulations Karen! I’m a committed cat mom for the time being. I love dogs and have shared my life with quite a few over the years but have to be content to be a doggie grandma for now. Someone said that you’ll know his name once you know his personality and I think that is so true. Just the same I vote for Burt! Get it? Burt & Ernie????
Minki
Hey Karen!
Those little pups are adorable! Your life will never be the same again - in the best of ways.
I am so excited for you!
By the way... Can't help to notice: you have the thickest hair in the history of hair! I'm absolutely green with envy! :-)
Karen
LOL!! Yes, I do! It takes forever to dry. Just ask any hairdresser who has had me as a client. I wondered if anyone would notice that. You can *really* see how thick my hair is when it's tied up in a ponytail. ~ karen!
Trish K
Any dog is just fine with me!
Dogs give a certain depth to our lives. I've been adopted by Jack Russell Terriers -- with my first from Canada who lived to be 18!
My current companion is a 9 year old purebred rescue JRT. Lots of issues, but I know this breed. I love all dogs, but I am a terrier person.
Congratulations, Karen!
Lynn
Ooh so cute .
I love animals, farm girl here . Kids and grandkids all have severe reactions to animals/ tree bearing foods / Pollination of just about everything 🥺.
There for I love from afar now 🥴
Lynn
P.S.
Got myself a stuffed bear and a Stuffed little Moose for when I need to cuddle something fuzzy. Which by the way gets washed 4 days before they come over 🥴
Peggy
Congratulations! They look like standard poodle pups to me. We had a white standard poodle, Judy. She was smart, athletic, calm, loving and got along with all our other animals (dogs, cats, chickens, goats, llamas, horses, even a foster baby deer). I learned to groom her myself, and alternated between "rough-and-ready" trims, or fancy, schmancy trims with pom-poms, etc. She went along with whatever. You are in for such a treat.
Katie Kirkpatrick
Adorable and looks like a standard poodle to me. We have a three year old miniature poodle named Teddy. As predicted he is smarter than us. Here’s a good tip from the vet - give him pure pumpkin daily to keep his digestive system working well. Lots of socialization and classes when his vaccines kick in.
Janet Dippo
Congratulations! I can't wait to see the "Puppy Posts".
Shannon Ross
Congratulations on your puppy! We have had several poodles as well as other breeds, including mutts and have loved them all. The poodle is so smart that sometimes it seems that they read your mind. The poodle we have now, I showed to Canadian and American championship and also have competed in Rally obedience. She had a beautiful litter of puppies last year, it was a lot of work but very rewarding. My tip for you is the very first thing you do when you get your boy home is take him to the place you want him to use for his bathroom. Stay there with him until he goes. It won’t guarantee absolute success but it makes a big difference. Most of all have fun with your dog.
Lauren from Winnipeg
First, really happy you are getting another animal because they are all wonderful and the more the merrier. Second, I’ll be a bit of a downer. I am disappointed that you didn’t go for a rescue dog. There are so many wonderful full breed and mixed breed dogs of all ages just waiting for a forever home. Even if you didn’t want a mutt, every breed has rescue organizations and it doesn’t mean you need to adopt a problem dog. Way too many people think they can adopt and then return because animals are disposable. 😢
Karen
Thanks Lauren! As I said in the post I'm not going to justify my choice so you're probably not expecting me to. I will however say that perhaps everyone's disappointment should be reserved for things like puppy mills and others responsible for all of the dogs in shelters. ~ karen!
Lynne Holtrust
Exactly...and well said Karen!
Lauren from Winnipeg
Sorry, but I’ll always defend my stance on rescuing animals. I just said I was disappointed, not that I thought you were evil. I’d love to say that I was disappointed in the puppy mill people and the animal abusers and the people who just get tired of their pets, but that just wouldn’t cut it. Those people are dipshits.
I sincerely hope you have a blast with your new puppy. Hopefully Ernies nose won’t be too out of joint for too long. We had two who loved the dogs right away and one that I swear was plotting their demise.