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.
Lauren
You've just got to have *standards* in life!
(See what I did there?)
My guess is standard poodle and they are on top 3 lost of breeds I would own. They are incredible dogs. So excited for you!!! Can't wait to see updates!
Suel
Hmm, reminds me of a Cocker Spaniel that my grandparents had. He was truly my best friend. He saved me once from a Copperhead, tore that snake to bits...He was one of the finest souls I've ever encountered. I wish you both a very long, healthy and happy life together. (still in love with all your other critters too)
Suel
Tonya
I have Black Mouth Curs now but my first dog in my adult life was a Cocker Spaniel. He was as dumb as a box of rocks but I could have not possibly loved him more. He had the kindest heart and soul of any creature to ever walk this earth. After he passed away, my husband and I swore off ever having any more dogs because of the heartbreak. But then someone brought Winter (our first Black Mouth Cur) to us and all bets were off. We swore that she had the heart of Aston (beloved Cocker Spaniel) but she was the female version of him (female version = she is extremely smart). Now I want all of the Black Mouth Curs in the whole wide world! But I sure wouldn't mind having a Cocker Spaniel in the mix for those beautiful soft curls and sweet disposition that they possess.
Tonya
Oh and yes, I agree that her photos do remind me a bit of a cocker spaniel.
Martina
Congratulations Karen!
So happy for you and the new pup :). Also thrilled that you’ve already signed up for puppy classes. As a vet tech and a dog trainer, I’d like to refer you to Dr Ian Dunbar and Dogstardaily.com. They even have a “Before you get your puppy” book that is a free download. Loads of great info on the site as well and no, I do not work for them…:)
Looking forward to hearing all about your new addition!
Brenda Matthews
You are going to LOVE having a dog (and will probably pull out 1/2 of your hair during the first year) but the love you get back makes up for ALL of that!
Look up Doggy Dan (dog trainer in New Zealand). I know it's a hokey name but he is so smart and not "hokey" at all. And you'll love his accent. He only has 5 Golden Rules for dogs. If you follow each one (and they are simple) consistently, you won't believe the difference.
Lynell
Hi Karen, so happy for you. Can I suggest you brush and comb the pup so he gets use to it. Also touch his feet a lot as it helps with nail trimming .iIf this is a standard poodle he will need grooming regularly. When I bring a new animal home before we even go into the house I show the dog where to go.
After a few hours take him back to the spot in the yard and hopefully he’ll pee there. It really helps with house training. Hope this helps.
Laura
I have one. Black and male. Best bud ever. Boaz. You will be rewarded. And laugh. And…they don’t shed.
Cyd
Congratulations on the addition to your family, Karen! I know you will give him an excellent home and a wonderful life, and by "him", I mean I hope you will consider "Achilles" as a name. You could call him "Chill" for short because of course he will not be a spazz as a puppy and will be totally chill. And "Chill" sounds much less psychotic than "Kill" for a dog's nick name.
Wishing you the best and am looking forward to the hilarious dog stories that are sure to follow.
Leisa Daly
Congrats Karen,
The best decision we ever made was to get a dog, it will change your life!
Dog name suggestions:
Nacho
Friday
Cohen
Suggestion for people leaving snarky comments:
Civility
So happy for you!
Leisa
Carol
As someone who has fostered many puppy litters (and has the scars to prove it), I can tell you that puppies are bitey little poop machines. It must not be that bad though, because I keep fostering!
Megan
You should clearly name him Bert to go with your Ernie! Just an idea. They are all adorable!
celestial
I buy used furniture, used clothing, used tools, and used machines (sewing). I don't purchase anything new for "the fun of it" and don't replace until the original is broken. I compost, recycle, donate, and work to make the best of whatever I have. We foster kittens and cats for the Humane Society. BUT, I will only have a purebred Sheltie purchased from a reputable breeder and I don't need to apologize for anything.
Karen, here is some fascinating info for you. There are things called bully sticks that dogs absolutely love. They can chew them for hours, they are totally digestible, and dogs will do almost anything for one. They are, however, insanely expensive; $20 for 4-5 of them. What exactly is a bully stick? It is a dried bull penis. Really. Let that soak in. The reason they are so expensive is some genius somewhere got the rights to purchase all of them and then he/she controls the distribution to different packaging and marketing places. Someone cornered the market on bull penises. For some reason this cracks me up almost as many of your posts do.
YOu will be a great dog mom and we can hardly wait to meet him and see what he does with a bully stick.
Karen
Thanks Celestial! I know all about bully sticks. :) There's actually a butchering facility near me that sells penises, lol. Peni? Penisisises? All I'd have to do is see if it will fit in my dehydrator.😆 ~ karen!
Nora Guihan
We too got, for the 1st time, a new puppy back in beginning of July. After A few weeks of us trying out names and we were undecided. So we offered to a few friends & Family members to make suggestions. 4 days later the list had 97 names for females and we were thrilled at the fun variety. The next 4
evenings we practiced saying or calling out each one before we narrowed it down to our final 7 favorites. Hope you have as much fun as we are with our young copper colored pup named Penny.
Mark
Congratulations Karen! You won't regret it. The best thing about a puppy is that you will meet *ALL* your neighbours.
Our first dog was a Lab puppy. I get the blame for the first rescue when I was looking at a website and saw a big adult, mostly black, very thin dog that was so forlorn-looking that been been in foster care for over 6 months. He was such a wonderful dog, but apparently large adult, mostly black dogs are the slowest to be adopted. He was 82 lbs when we got him and 113 lbs by the time he was normal weight. I would walk him off leash and he would never get more than 6 feet from me. Had him almost 8 years. Lost both dogs within a few months (pup was 14+ and rescue was 12+). Next dog was a "special needs" rescue (hip dysplasia) but and he is a real love bug. Got another Lab puppy a few months later. They both still fill our lives with joy (and frustration!)
Mel H
You could call him Bert, to go with Ernie your cat- the original odd couple…
Emily
Hello neighbour! I stroll by your house often with my silver standard poodle, Sterling. He just turned two and is finally settling down, haha. Welcome to the wonderful world of poodles! They are a lovely breed, smart and beautiful - it doesn’t get any better! There are lots in Dundas; we should start a club! Feel free to be in touch if you need tips on home grooming or anything else poodle-related, or if you want your new guy to meet a poodle friend! Hoping you’ve already seen this awesome poodle-related TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@betadogtraining/video/6983133373900328198?lang=en
Karen
I hadn't but it's pretty darn accurate, lol. 3 more days! But I can't meet any new dogs until he's fully vaccinated. :/ Apparently there's a bad kennel cough going around Ontario. I even have to cancel my puppy class. ~ karen!
Jean
Name…the second most important thing to the breed. My Corgi, Taffy, was named because that’s slang for a Welshman. She’s perfect in every way…as is her name. Have fun, and don’t forget the basics…towels for cleanup.
Virginia Ritchey
Karen,
What joy awaits you! I can hardly wait for your sharing of the adventures! Nothing better than our pets. All the best!
jfarmar
I'm guessing some sort of retriever or spaniel. I thought Newfoundland but they don't come in white. He will be a big boy like my Doodle so training is a must. Just remember, kids and dogs don't raise themselves! I'm so excited for you to get a new baby. I like cats but dogs are just the best. Can't wait for the reveal! I like the name Ace too.
Linda Nelson
My guess is a Portuguese Water Dog. Soon you will be smothered in "licky-kissy" love. Congrats!
Karen
Congratulations Karen!!! What an exciting chapter!! I have only raised one puppy and while she is now a peaceful four year old Labradoodle, there were times I threatened to send her back to the breeder in exasperation!! Like the time she got out of the house wearing a polka dot pink onesie in front of my neighbour with me running frantically after her, and the mid January spraying out of the crate in the middle of a snow storm to clean out the poop and bathing the dog many times to clean her of poo…. Yes it was a grand time!!