Our family recently adopted a puppy!
We haven’t been very prolific dog owners. In the twenty-seven years that my husband and I have been married we’ve only had one dog. The extraordinarily wonderful Sam…
Sam is now 10 and beloved by all. My 11-year-old dog-crazy youngest daughter has been asking for another dog for years, but I was reluctant. For one thing, Sam’s fabulous and I was more than content. For another thing, I hadn’t forgotten how much work a puppy demands.
But my daughter continued her campaign arguing (rightly) that she was a baby herself when we got Sam and thus has no memory of him as a puppy. Also, between you and me, Sam’s beginning to slow down a little. He has a heart murmur and though we sincerely hope he has several years left, we also know that Cavalier Spaniels are not known for long life spans.
I started to think that it might be wise to add a puppy now, so that Sam would have time to pass along his sweet characteristics to the next generation. Also, we all really needed something happy and new to enjoy during Covid. Also, the kids are doing virtual school at present, so they’re home (and able to help out with the puppy) much more than they normally would be.
I opened the “puppy possibility” door an inch and my daughter rushed through it at a sprint.
We brought Duke home in mid-August and it’s definitely been a lot of work — just as I knew it would be. Crate-training. House-training. Following him around to keep him out of trouble. The kids take turns waking early with Duke and tending to him after school when I’m working.
But it’s also been a tremendous joy. Duke is sweet, smart, playful, and adorable. His puppy snuggles instantly lower our blood pressure. All those backyard potty breaks and walks and “socialization” outings have been good for our souls — because they’ve made us get out from behind screens, go outdoors, and notice the sky, the breeze, and the flowers.
The only member of the family not enamored with Duke?
Our older dog, Sam.
Sam: “I’m dignified and stately. Why would I want to spend my time passing along my sweet characteristics to this ill-mannered tot with an excess of energy? I especially dislike it when he gambols through MY kitchen when I’m waiting for scraps to drop during the cooking or the eating of meals.”
It’s taken time, but now the dogs get along great during walks, cuddles, and playtime in the backyard.
We’re still working on friendliness in the kitchen.
I’d love to hear about your own adventures with puppies!
Becky Wade
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Oh, both of your dogs are adorable! I’ve never had a puppy but I love cuddling my friends’ dogs. (Though I haven’t done so for ages)
Thing 1,051 to look forward to when life returns to a semblance of normalcy: visits with friends that include dog cuddles. 🙂
Those dogs are so beautiful. The puppy is adorable. I know hubby wants a dog. We just moved and now have a privacy fenced back yard. We have had dogs and cats in the past. We once had an English Springer Spaniel. Maybe eventually we will again.
English Springer Spaniels are beautiful! We’re a spaniel family. We had two Cocker Spaniels when I was growing up. At present, my mom has a Cocker, my sister has a Cocker, and I have two Cavaliers.
Great pictures! I can tell your new puppy is a delight to your family.
He is! Thanks, Betty.
What a cutie!!! I miss having a dog terribly, but I’m one of the few on planet earth still going into work every day and traveling, so I don’t have the time a puppy/dog deserves. May I please live vicariously through your family?
I remember when I did have my dog and she was a puppy, she let me know in no uncertain terms how she felt about puppy potty training pads. She ripped them to shreds, strategically placing pieces. All. Over. My. House. So we skipped that phase and went to going directly outside. What a mess then, but what a funny memory now.
Yes! You’re welcome to live vicariously through our family’s puppy.
I went into my daughter’s bathroom this morning and found toilet paper ripped to shreds by the puppy. They’re a handful! But I keep telling the kids (and myself) to enjoy this phase because it will pass so quickly.
We had the same problem a couple of years ago when we brought a new golden retriever puppy home – our older golden was unimpressed with the newcomer. I kept telling her do not hurt the puppy – we paid way too much for the puppy for her to hurt her. Eventually she came round and now they are pals! The older one actually gets more treats now because we can’t give the baby training treats without the older one sitting and going down as well so she gets treats too!
I’m so glad to hear that your dogs are now pals! I know what you mean about the treats. Sam gets more treats nowadays. 🙂
I’ve been enjoying all the sweet Duke pictures. And I’m glad to hear that Sam’s still doing well, too. We added a second dog when our older one was about 7. It does take some time for them to get used to each other!
I’m glad to hear that that your older one adjusted in time. I’m hoping for the same outcome with Sam and Duke!
What a fun post, Becky, and both your pups are so cute!
I’ll admit I’ve never, ever had a dog in my life, but I’ve always had cats. 🙂
My kiddos and I think a dog would be good for their Dad, since he’s not overly fond of my houseful of felines, LOL. 😉
So maybe in the future there will be a pup in my family–but I don’t think I’ll mention this to my kitties–at least, not yet!
Thanks for sharing—those photos are precious!
Absolutely adorable! ♥️
Duke and Sam are both adorable!
We have often added our next dog when the older dog becomes well old. As you suggested that has been a good strategy for helping to train the puppy. Of course there was the one time I came home to see Wiley leading Breck down the road to town to presumably leave him. I invited them into the car and took them home. Fortunately, that was a once off.
Enjoy both of your darling boys.
LOL!!! Love this story. 🙂