It’s been a long time coming, but we finally brought our new puppy home the Thursday before Thanksgiving. You might know from some previous mentions here or on social media that this wasn’t my idea. In fact, on social media posts about our puppy, I always include the hashtag #hismidlifecrisis. Because that’s the truth. But he doesn’t ask for much. And he really wanted a dog. And I love him, so I said yes.
So say, “Hello, Dolly!) our (almost) 11 week old mini-bernedoodle. Although at this point, I’m not sure how “mini” she’ll turn out to be! When we brought her home at 8 weeks, she was just over 12 lbs. She’s now over 15. And her paws look enormous! Minis are typically 25-40 lbs full grown. I’m just hoping we hit instead of exceed that top end at this point!
Dolly’s been with us almost three weeks now, and while I can admit she is cute, and sometimes sweet, there have definitely been some expectation adjustments for all of us. She is playful and smart and stubborn. So nothing we have’t dealt with before as parents! I’m really thankful puppies grow up more quickly than the children did! Still, it seems like forever when you are potty training, obedience training and sleep training all at the same time, unlike with your kids!
The hardest part for Jeff has been dealing with the shorter nights. He takes full responsibility for that side of things, but he is also a guy who needs his sleep. For me, the hardest part is daytime—trying to work when she wants to play because she’ll do almost anything to get my attention when I focus on my computer. But I’m figuring out new tricks to try every day, thanks to friends who got puppies over the pandemic while working from home.
We have to take her out on a leash in our backyard right now due to the fact that she can squeeze through our wrought iron fence, but hopefully that will change in a couple of months. And I’m so thankful we still have some nice enough days that I can take her out back on a long lead and work while she runs some energy off. (Or takes another nap!)
But per my expectation, Jeff is her person. She cries when he leaves the house. Runs after him when he leaves the room. Of course I contend that she loves him for the same reason our children and previous dog did—because he’s not nearly as hard-and-fast with behavioral rules as mom is! But that’s okay. We all came to love each other eventually. 🙂 And I’m sure it will be the same with Dolly.
Finally, you might wonder how we chose the name Dolly. Our first dog was named Abigail, in honor of First Lady Abigail Adams. So Dolly comes in honor of First Lady Dolley Madison. (We made the spelling easier.) Such things make our history-loving hearts happy. But we’re also good if you hear Dolly and think Dolly Levi from the musical Hello, Dolly! (Because we love that show!) or even, as my son mentioned, Dolly Parton (because she’s an awesome lady!).
I’m happy with her name. It seems to suit her. But I have to admit that I’m getting really, really tired of repeating it over and over and over again each day!
Do you have any encouraging or funny puppy stories? Or a dog that has been very special to you? Please share!
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Dolly is adorable! I feel for you in these early days of training and adjusting, but it seems obvious that she will be a wonderful dog for years to come. We are more cat people (though currently without any pets since we’re traveling) but I could go for a dog like Dolly!
She is adorable, which helps. Because honestly I’m mourning a bit about losing my ability to arrange my days however I want!
D’Ann, immediately go order a puppy bumper so you don’t have to take her out on a leash for the next two months. The puppy bumper is a wonderful invention. A soft large collar that is sort of like the wrap around neck pillow humans use on an airplane. And congrats on Dolly. She is a cutie.
I found the link. That is amazing! Yes, I’ll be ordering one today! 🙂 Thank you!
How I feel for you, friend! We are dog lovers but have promised each other we’ll never do a puppy again. LOL They ARE precious but as you pointed out, so much work. Dolly is an absolute doll! I’ll be interested to see how big she gets. That face. Adorable!
Thanks! I think of you often, remembering when you got your puppy not too many years ago! As much as Jeff wanted her, even he has realized he didn’t remember how much work a puppy is. But we have her now, so we’ll do what we have to do!
Congratulations on your new arrival! We have a new puppy, too–well, Toby is eight months old, but still staying in a crate in the center of the living room. Sometimes he’s a joy, and sometimes he’s a terror, but he’s now part of the family.
Hope your Dolly is sweet and settles in with a minimum of trouble. Enjoy those puppy kisses!
Thanks, Angie! The crate is my best friend! 🙂 And yes, she is quickly becoming part of the family.
My late husband wanted a Golden puppy so he got his wish in 2007 for Christmas. My husband passed away in 2012 and he became my puppy. I lost him at age 15 and 1 month in October of this year. I always mourned when we lost a dog, but Cedar was very special being the last one my husband and I got together. And he was the one who grieved with me these past 10 years. So now the house is way too quiet. But I wouldn’t trade this grief for anything because he was my support and baby.
What a sweet story, Brenda! I can imagine what a sorrow it was to lose him. Hugs to you!
Hi D’Ann! We have a Dolly dog too! She’s a golden retriever, almost two years old and about 70 pounds. My husband named her Dolly because she was 1, blonde, and 2, a very friendly dog like her namesake Dolly Parton. For a while, she could squeeze through our wrought-iron fence too, but it wasn’t too long before she didn’t fit anymore. I’m the one that wanted a golden puppy because I’d never had one and they were so cute. However, I didn’t realize they wouldn’t be puppies long and would get so big! Dolly is a sweetheart, and her originally reluctant Daddy spoils her by taking her for long walks and scratching her back. But right now, she’s lying on the wood floor in my office since it’s cool. But I think she really likes my husband best now.
I love that we both have Dolly dogs! And while I don’t look forward to my Dolly getting bigger, I am looking forward to growing out of the puppy stage. Maybe then she’ll be a better writing companion! 🙂
Aww! She’s adorable!
“It seems like forever when you are potty training, obedience training and sleep training all at the same time” I relate to this so much. We brought our dog, Duke, home in the late summer of 2020 and I haven’t forgotten how challenging the puppy phase was for me. My encouragement is this… things WILL settle down, everything will get easier, and she will bring a lot of joy and companionship to your home.
But that doesn’t discount the fact that the puppy phase is really hard for some of us. It’s not my fave and so you’re not alone if you’re feeling the same way. 🙂
That makes me feel so much better, Becky! I was kind of feeling terrible about not enjoying her. But then I didn’t really enjoy my babies until they were older, either! Glad to know things will get better! Thank you!