Puppy Boom!

Remember that movie I always talk about, "Baby Boom?" Well, three days ago my life became like "Baby Boom. Only, instead of a toddler suddenly being airlifted into my life, it was five pound, ten week old puppy! 

We weren't even planning on getting a dog, let alone a tiny puppy. Sure we've toyed with the idea over the years, but always tabled it because it didn't feel like the right time or we were just unsure. On Wednesday though, I received a call from my mother about one of our life-long family friends who needed to re-home her puppy due to a serious allergy, and right away! So we've gone from zero to puppy in a just matter of days!

I want to be honest with you, but first off,  I need to say, the puppy........ it was instant love. We adore her. She is the sweetest, most adorable and cuddly puppy I have ever met. She's fantastic and hilarious and has surprised me with her smarts. I have always thought myself to be a "cat person", but I have a feeling that this puppy has turned me into a "cat and dog person" in a matter of hours. Which I would say is a most impressive feat!

That said, we agreed upon this being just a "trial", we're first "fostering" the puppy, and truthfully, I'm not 100% sure it will work out. I hope it will, but we're still figuring a few things out. 

How much trouble can a teeny, tiny puppy be I thought. They're puppies! Not babies! See, that's the thing though. That's where I thought wrong. Babies, they might put a lot of things in their mouths, but puppies, they put EVERYTHING in their mouths too AND they also put the rug, the side of the couch, your shoes, the wallpaper, every leaf in your backyard and every random stick in their mouths as well! You just can't leave them alone anywhere!  Also, babies wear diapers and puppies........ you know.

So basically, from now until who knows when, the puppy and I are going to be spending a lot of time together. If we're not outside, then she's needs to either be in her crate hopefully napping, or with me. There's no leaving the pups alone. She might eat something that wouldn't be great or she might pee, or worse....like at 6:00am yesterday morning when she pooped in my room and then on my night gown as I hurriedly carries her outside. She also accidentally ran past one of our baby gates this morning, made a B-line for Noah's room and pooped in there too! (I'm glad the things are tiny. Makes for easy clean up. Once you're a Mom though, these things aren't such a big deal.)

We were able to reasonably puppy proof our family room, so I'm hoping that she can spend some time in there while I play with her and attempt to blog. But right now, she seems to be on a every 20-30 minute outdoor pee-pee break schedule. We have to take her out and stay there with her. So who knows how much of anything I'll be getting done. If today is an indicator, not much.

Also, even though Noah has begged for a dog for years, suddenly now he's finding himself feeling overwhelmed. He's cried for three nights now. The puppy gets a little over excited sometimes, which puppies often do and it overwhelms him. So I'm working hard by reading training books and working with her. Noah's felt a little wary playing with the puppy when she's so excitable. It's hard.

And the cats. They're coping, but they are afraid and I worry that they're sad. They spend a lot more time upstairs these days. I'm worried about them, but doing all that I can to make the cats feel reassured and loved.

I guess in a nutshell, we had to make a quick decision. We didn't realize quite how much work a young puppy would be. If I'm going to have a dog though, I really want to do it right and put the time and effort into raising her the best that we can.

I guess you could say that I'm feeling a little overwhelmed  and exhausted by the sheer amount of work, but I love this sweet dog.

*** UPDATE***

I'm so happy to report that day three went a lot better! I was even home alone because Jon had a business trip and it still felt easier than the first two days. I was careful to plan ahead and set everything up the night before for the morning rush...... from the coffee pot to the cat's food  to Noah's outfit and mine. That helped! Also, I worked hard today to really watch Josie's cues for when she was hungry, needed to potty and was ready for a nap, and I think we started a nice play-eat-potty-nap schedule. Just like a baby!  Noah is still worried, but we're working on it!

And the MOST HELPFUL thing ever....today my Mom brought over a large 4' x 4' puppy playpen! Oh my gosh, this has made all the difference! Now Josie can watch me while I work in the kitchen. It's safe and secure, so I can put her in to play and if I have to run up stairs just for a second, to change the laundry or something like that, she's safe and secure. So thank you Mom!!! 

I feel like we're all starting to figure out how to manage a young puppy, the cats and the kid. So fingers crossed that things work out and keep getting easier.

And now without further ado..........

Friends, family, I'd like to introduce you to the wonderful  JOSIE!!!!!

Josie is a ten-week-old Petite Goldendoodle. She is a Golden Retriever/poodle mix. They say that Goldendoodles have the laid back, friendly personality of the Golden with the smarts of a Poodle. That sounds good to me! Josie is supposed to grow to about 15-20 pounds and stand 12"-16" tall.

I think Josie had a really nice first two days with us if I had to guess. We spent a lot of time outside playing and took many walks too.

She knows how to fetch and can push a ball around so well!

This is how Josie slept during her first nap. She was tired out from playing. :) My friend told me that she sleeps with a stuffed animal that has a recording of a Mother's heartbeat from inside the womb. The original stuffed animal had to go back to my friend's neighbors, so I went out and bought our own. I could only find the giraffe version, but Josie doesn't seem to mind.

Here is Noah and Josie when we walked down our street to a nice, open green space. We have a backyard, but this is a nice place to visit. We went twice yesterday and three times today!

I thought this was cute.

Josie loves to flop on her back in the sun and have her belly rubbed. Sometimes she is so relaxed and mellow. I took her to the vet yesterday for the next round of her vaccinations and basically she just hung out like this the whole time! I was proud of her, what a good puppy.

And can you guess who one of her biggest fans is? Yep, Jon. I think the admiration is mutual.

The cats are getting extra attention these days. Hector and Willow are curious as to WHAT Josie is, but they're also afraid. I bought each of them a mini-catnip pillow today and a container of live wheat grass in hopes of helping them feel loved.

Oh, and a little off topic, but look how nicely Jon fixed up the backyard on Sunday. He even planted fall Mums. Beautiful! I will tell you why we fixed up the yard soon. It involved some video cameras!

For all of the feelings of our life suddenly being turned upside down, it's difficult not to fall in love with this sweet girl and feel attached. 

I've really enjoyed our walks together. We chat and it's so amazing to see her seeing the world for the first time. I absolutely love that.

Today we took a long walk/carry, with lots of sites and sounds. Afterwards, Josie began to play and then just fell asleep like this! Poor girl was tired out. :)

I feel like, if Noah can be ok and the cats can be ok, surrendering myself to a puppy for a few months and slowing down, would actually be a good thing for me. For years now, I've always felt driven to ALWAYS be doing something day and night. I don't know how to slow down. 

Josie lives in the moment though. I noticed that today at the park. She's not worried about the future or the past, she's just enjoying the now! Like when she finds a patch of sun at the dog park, suddenly lays down and stretches out to enjoy the rays. 

And last night, last night when I took her out for her 11:30pm potty trip, Josie and I sat there staring awe struck at the super moon! It was BEAUTIFUL, and I wouldn't have been standing out there seeing such an incredible site with out her. (And the night before we saw a satellite!)

She's already taught me so much

I Love you Josie!!!

xoxoxo