The time off this last week has been so good. Brian and I feel like we’ve really had a chance to unplug and soak up the holidays with family. I’m even exited for this coming week b/c I feel like I’m at that point of feeling a little bit refreshed and even a tad bit excited to start putting down goals for 2009. But I’m not letting the excitement get the best of me b/c it’s only once a year that we have this quiet “in between time”, you know what I mean? the days between Christmas and New Year, where you feel like you can hibernate a little longer.
The only break we have NOT received is a break from our puppy, Rosie. For the record (before I unveil my evil side), I feel that I have dealt pretty well with all the chewed up shoes, chewed up toys, poop bombs, and overall smell of a wet dog. But, BUT, when Rosie decided to eat up the hem of my antique love seat, the love seat I have had for FIFTEEN YEARS, I was ready to get rid of her. She was almost sent far away yesterday. Mama was not a happy camper at all!
My neighbor, and fellow dog owner, advised me to go see Marley and Me. And so Brian and I did. And yep, the movie worked. I came home and hugged Rosie. I guess we’ll try it again. 🙂
If you haven’t seen it, and you have a puppy (dog under 2 years old that chews up everything in your home, including refinished hardwood floors), you should totally see it!
xo
m
Um, yeah, seeing as we went out over Christmas and did THIS, I think I need to see this movie too.
http://flickr.com/photos/greeblemonkey/sets/72157611609575850/
So funny you mention this…I absolutely just got finished almost throwing our “new” dog out on the street after she , again, decided to eat the food off of the counter! My sister, who is visiting, heard a mouthful from me about how it is the last thing I need to worry about and it is my husbands responsibility..(he brought the dog home)..etc…then I sat down and opened your blog and waaalaaa! You had this post! So bizarre! I definitely need to see this movie!
Not the harwoods!!! And the beautiful love seat oh man what a stinky rosie.
I went to Benjamin button but there was a big line for marley!
I like dogs… Other peoples dogs that is! Everytime I get the urge to get a pet I remind myself of all the work and responsibilty it takes. Thanks for reminding me, bull dogs have been looking aweful cute lately!
Aimee: Your bernese is so cute! My husband and I are getting one in early May (the breeding is happening as we speak!).
Me Ra: Ryan and I are getting a puppy in a few months, and this post made me laugh out loud. It is definitely going to be a long journey before puppy-hood is over! I’ll email you pics when we get it! Glad to see you guys were able to relax and spend time together (before getting back to the chaos of the puppy). 🙂
That is one of my favorite books! I am not a cry-er, but it did me in! Hang in there–the small moments of joy will totally outweigh the material destruction. Then again, I can’t deny going ballistic when my mini-dachshunds decided that feather pillows make for a good mid-day snack…
Not seen the movie yet but the book rocked – I don’t know if it would be enough to rethink an antique love seat though! They have “dog-away” sprays that are suppose to deter dogs from chewing on things… you might have to start using a new “perfume” that smells interesting to save the dog (and furniture). Good luck!!!
Just remember that the “puppy stage” is usually just that…a stage. And then the joy they bring your family is priceless!! You must read the book now…it’s great!
I know they look a bit silly, but try these to protect your hardwoods. We used them with our golden and the floors didn’t get a scratch on them.
http://www.seniorpetproducts.com/product/dog-shoes-all-p1405.html?&parent=413
OH ME RA! NO!
I’m so sorry! It will get better. She will grow out of it.
i’m glad you both are getting some R&R. that’s super important.
Hi Me Ra!
Hang in there! All I can say is that Rosie WILL outgrow the whole chewing thing. My dog did the same thing with my irreplaceable stuff and I also wanted to give up on him. I had to remember that the poor dog does not know the difference between and old shoe and the valuable stuff.
Do you take her for long walks? We have a seven month old great dane pup, and she chews stuff when she is bored. We find that if we walk her, she gets really tired and leaves stuff alone.
Me Rah,
I love your blog ! As far as having a puppy is goes at this stage it is like when your children were toddlers. they need to be watched constantly things needed to be baby proofed and they needed to be worn out not to be bored and cranky. it is hard and exhausting at times. but like your kids they will outgrow it to some extent lol. In the past i have had dogs when i just didn’t have the time really for them they spent 10 hrs a day alone while i was at work getting into trouble and then were fire balls when i came home exhausted . i now have a puppy and i have to say i have no kids and it is just me so i have spent more time with him than any other and he is fantastic. Any time he tried to chew something i give him a toy or a chew stick it is hard to be consistent but it has worked and i have only lost one or two items.walks runs & playtime in the yard with kids will help several times a day if possible and a good chew toy would be a kong you can fill it with treats to occupy his time. Good luck don’t give up she will be a life long friend for your family!!! keep us posted on how it goes!!!
our puppy just turned one year a few days ago and we still go back and forth…today was a good day! so far the good days have outnumbered the bad ones 🙂 hope you start having some more of those good puppy days!
She’s right, the Kong’s work! We have a Kong Bone which I fill with Greenies (for breath). It occupies her for hours. She had been chewing on the baseboards in the house we are renting. She has stopped that, but it could be the the Nature’s Miracle bitter spray (to which I added crushed chiles) I sprayed on them. I think it was the Kong though. 😉
Doggie Day Care!
Unfortunately, puppies are like babies and must be watched 24/7.
They will chew up stuff because:
they are bored
they are teething
it taste good
they can!
Send her to Doggie Day Care when you are super busy and Rosie will come back SUPER tired.
Check out the places first, some are nicer than others.
They should have a screening process, so the bad dogs are kept out. And a webcam is a bonus, so you can check in on her during the day.
Also, you may want to look into puppy training.
That helps.
Also, make the kids play tag or keep away with her(outside of course).
That way, you will have a tired dog and kids.
Double bonus!!!
Please remember that labs are puppies for 2 years.
It is trying but so are babies/kids!
One look into Rosie’s eyes should erase the bad.
Keep smiling!
Hah! Haven’t seen it yet, but plan to! Sounds like my old dog, Rio – he tore my daughters halloween costume to shreds, ate my blinds and curtains, etc. Yikes!