Dog Days

I've written here many times about the various requests in our house to get a dog.  Jacob in particular has gone through numerous phases of really wanting a dog, and while I admit it might help with his anxiety, I also know that I only have so much time, energy, and bandwidth to deal with a pet.  Pets need walks, food, medical care, cleaning, and cleaning up after.  They're often not cheap to acquire, let alone maintain.  If we travel we need to make arrangements (also pricey), and even just leaving the house can be an adventure--I definitely would have trust issues.  And let's just say I'm well aware that most of those responsibilities would fall on me.  Not that you don't love your pet and want to take care of them, but I spend so much time managing the needs of the people in this house (and the house itself) that I just don't think I could add one more thing into the mix.

But then my cousin Lori and her husband got a dog, and she's literally the sweetest dog you'll ever meet.  They had planned a trip to Texas for a long weekend, and when we saw them over my birthday weekend, they asked if we would consider dog-sitting while they were gone.  It seemed like a perfect opportunity to test out the dog situation, especially because she's such a chill dog.  So, we did a test run for an evening a couple weeks ago, and last Wednesday night Honey officially came to stay with us for five days.  

We got the full assortment of instructions from her parents, which I totally respect because I have left a novel with my parents for keeping our kids, too.  She was once again a bit bummed when they left, and we once again did what we could to comfort her--walks, treats after potty breaks, and lots of pets.  I definitely became her person (because I was the only one doing most of the work--shocking, I know), so she never went far.  She pretty much just watched me cook dinner and hung close while I cleaned up.

I did catch this beauty shot while we were outside.

She made her first friend while out on that potty break.  The dog lives a few houses down across the street.  I think he's a bull terrier (think Spuds Mackenzie or the Target dog) and his name is Fredo.  He was very eager to meet Honey, and when I confirmed she was friendly, they got to sniff each other.  Fredo really wanted to play, but Honey...is not much of a player.  She was rescued from a breeding situation so I don't think she ever really learned how.  She watches you, snuggles you, sniffs everything, but isn't really into playing.  We did play a little bit with a foam football over the weekend, but she nearly strangled herself on her lead when she got overexcited, and then was chewing the ball apart, so that didn't last long.  She almost got playful with blowing leaves, though, which was really cute.

Even though she normally doesn't go to bed until later, she seemingly had a tiring first day because she was nodding off around 8pm.  I caught the sweetest video, much like sleepy babies that fight it at the dinner table.

I did call it a win when she finally rested her head on my leg that night.  It felt like maybe she was settling in a bit and trusting me.  However, for most of the night, she kept seeming like she wanted to go out, and while I suppose that's the main thing to spice up her existence, I swear it was because she was looking for her people.  On our last trip out, an SUV that looked a lot like theirs drove into the driveway across the street.  She watched it like a hawk, hoping it was them.  She would look at me, almost like she was saying, "Look, it's dark now and time for me to go home...where are they?"  Even once we came back in, she was hesitant to go upstairs to go to bed because she probably wanted to keep an eye out for them and wanted to go home to her own bed.  We finally coaxed her upstairs, and convinced her to come up on the bed.  I would have gladly let her sleep elsewhere (if you recall, I do terrible with toddlers in bed), but she was pretty bonded to me so I figured it was inevitable.  Sure enough, she slept at my side all night.  She was very chill, though she woke up a bit (as did I for a couple reasons), but aside from being trapped in a tiny space from Craig encroaching on my space on the other side, it wasn't bad.  She sleeps on her side with her paws out, so I definitely felt them, but she wasn't a bad snuggle buddy.

She did great with staying calm until it was time to get up, and then it seemed like maybe she was ready to go out, even though normally I think she gets up later and prefers to eat before she goes out.  Of course the weather got downright chilly the previous day, so our morning walk was a bit brisk, but she loves a good wander and sniff.  I felt bad making lunches in front of her, so I gave her her breakfast a little early.  Jacob was having a rough morning (tired and annoyed about his leg hurting him yesterday), and when we went in to get him up, she hopped right on his bed and snuggled him a bit.  It was really sweet, and more proof that dogs are super perceptive.  

She spent most of the day snoozing next to me as I worked.  

We'd go out every couple hours, and she barked at the UPS guy and the guy across the street, which may be the first of that I've ever heard from her.  Jacob also scared the crap out of her when she forgot he was home and he opened his bedroom door.  Good to know she thinks I'm worth protecting, I guess?  The barking and growling continued during her whole stay--mostly for trucks and things outside, as well as being suspicious of all the guys when they'd get home.  Craig and Jacob in particular got a lot of barks and growls when they'd walk in the door.  I tried to chill her out, to no avail.  But it still pales in comparison to so many of the neighborhood dogs that bark at everything and everyone, and that I swear are going to break windows to get to me as I walk by.

We had one little hiccup Thursday afternoon because we had to take Jacob to a school thing and she got a bit carsick.  We had been warned, so we brought a blanket and a towel, but the second round on the way back did manage to make its way to the upholstery despite Carter's best efforts.  Thankfully I can't smell--since it apparently smelled when it happened--but it seems like it's okay now after scrubbing and Febreze because even Jacob didn't complain when he was in the car the following day.  But she rebounded nicely and even got a treat of a few spoonfuls of steamed spaghetti squash after our dinner, when I scraped out the last remnants from the skin.  She ate it all up so fast!  We never gave her much people food since she doesn't get a lot at home, but I was always looking for an opportunity to sneak her a dog-safe snack.  I feel like she earned it with her persistent but polite version of begging--she just hangs close when food is around, but doesn't jump or try to get it.  We tried a cucumber another night, but it wasn't the best one from my struggling garden, and she abandoned it.

Her second night she settled at the end of our bed and slept there uneventfully all night.  We still had to figure out the cadence of the morning potty runs, though.  When she was up and around I could just sense when she was ready, and when I'd say it to her, she'd get all jumpy and I knew it was time.  I just tried to throw on some pants and a coat quickly in case she had to go urgently, but she's not so much a pee-and-go dog, so usually it turned into a little stroll (with no makeup and no bra...yay).  Once I figured that routine out, it got easier to know what to expect.

Over the course of the weekend, we got in a pretty good groove, and she even got comfortable enough (and maybe warm enough since the weather improved?) to take a couple good, long walks.  She still smelled almost everything along our path, but she got a pretty good trot going as we neared home most of the time, likely since she'd already sniffed out those areas.  Those walks were fun.  I discovered during this experience that there's a bit of a dog owner secret society out there, that if you have a dog you are almost obliged to talk to another dog owner as you pass by.  There are neighbors I've never said more than hi to, and I've now had full-on conversations with them and know their dogs' names.  One guy was giving me advice about Doodles and asked what I charge for dog-sitting (ha, thanks but no thanks) for his sweet, full-sized black Doodle.  I will miss the bonding opportunities when it's back to solo walks, but I will enjoy going farther again!

Between the car sickness and her being my shadow, I didn't leave the house much while she was here.  I had to miss Carter's baseball game, and I also let Craig take on Carter's third infusion.  We just weren't comfortable leaving her alone since we didn't fully dog-proof the house and didn't know how she'd react if she was alone.  Toys, plants, garbage, food boxes, etc. could have all been her targets if no one was around.  Not to mention the bathroom thing could have gotten weird--she's a good holder, but if trapped in a room she might not be as calm.  So, we just stayed with her the whole time.  The couple times I did leave, she watched for me while I was gone and was SO excited to see me when I got back.  That was sweet.  

I got this picture when I went to pick up dinner on Saturday.  She looks like a Muppet, doesn't she?

Patiently waiting!

After the warm reception I got, I'm curious to see how she is when we go to a party at their house on Saturday!  Will she still love me, or will she have moved on?  But in general, she became my sweet little velcro dog!  She was always right with me.  She laid on the floor while I worked and napped most of the time.  I was relieved to find out she does that at home too, and therefore wasn't missing out on a more exciting existence.  But those puppy dog eyes when I worked?  Oh, man.

Up on my lap looking for pets!

She was definitely loving all the pets and couch snuggles while she was here.  She would constantly roll on her back for belly rubs, and when you stopped petting her you'd get "The Paw", which would encourage you to continue.  The other cute thing was that when I'd go to the bathroom, I'd close the door but leave it cracked, and inevitably she'd poke her little nose in to be able to see me.  I did feel a little bad about getting up and doing things, though, because she was always compelled to follow me.  If she was napping she'd wake up at the slightest movement.  I didn't want to disturb her, but she always had to be near me.  She got a bit better by the end, maybe sitting on the couch if I quickly went to the kitchen, or staying on the bed if I was around the corner in the bathroom.  But if I was out of sight too long, I'd hear the thump of her getting down and following me.  It felt like a lot of pressure sometimes to address her needs, but we managed.  And if there was food around, she was always right there!  She never reached for it, though.  She did drive the boys a little nuts going under the table and sniffing or licking them.  

Speaking of the boys, this experience absolutely validated every reason I had for not getting a dog.  They claim it would be different with OUR dog, but I have my doubts.  Like, if she smelled (her face could get stinky), they wouldn't want her nearby.  Of course, I couldn't smell it, so it's not like I could prevent it.  Then they'd say they would have a non-stinky dog, but ummm, good luck with that.  It just happens.  You also can't control a dog's demeanor or who they choose as their person, so every dog acquisition is a crapshoot.  As expected, no one wanted to take her out or clean up poop.  I think Craig would have done it, but because she bonded to me, they all just sort of gave up on trying to get on her good side.  I was hoping for a little more support to spread out the work, but that didn't happen.  Then everyone started thinking they were allergic to her, which didn't help.  Even though Doodles don't shed and are considered mostly hypoallergenic, that doesn't mean they're dander-free, so I think there was some reaction to that.  I spent the day after she left vacuuming and washing bedding to try to clear that out ASAP.  I don't know if that will rule out keeping her again, but it was frustrating that I couldn't get the boys more on board.  But I definitely felt better about my hard-line decision to not get a dog last year when Jacob was merciless about it.

Just a few more gratuitous puppy pics...

I loved the colors in this one, and how stereotypical is the hydrant?  She did not pee on it, though.  She just liked sniffing out who'd been there.

Last work day nap!

She was obviously very happy to see her people on Monday night when they got back.  I expected nothing less!  I definitely missed having her around--things just felt a bit empty for a while, but I was also a bit relieved to get back to normal life.  A regular morning felt so much simpler, and getting up to go to the bathroom whenever I felt like it was nice.  Five days was just about perfect.  I've decided it's a bit like grandchildren--you have all the fun and less of the responsibility, and can send them home at the end of the day.  I'm cool with that.  I have officially confirmed we definitely cannot do a dog, at least not now, not while I still have kids and a million other things to keep me occupied.  Maybe someday, when I'm old and have fewer responsibilities, and more likely if I'm living alone at any point.  I would consider getting a dog only then for companionship and a reason to get up each day.  But for now, my life is full enough without one.  But I truly liked having her around and miss her sweet face.  My first walk felt a little lonely, and I was a bit sad about being back outside the doggy social circle, but right now that all doesn't override my need to be sane and not overwhelmed with dog duty.  I can totally see how people are all in love with their dogs, though.  It's a sweet little friendship and I'm honored we got to spend some time with such a sweet girl.