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Monday
Dec012008
Puppy Mugshot
When we got Louie I had this unspoken little vision of dog ownership. A cozy, fuzzy-around-the-edges tableau of a family sitting at the table with a dog curled up on the floor at their feet. Another scene of me working at the computer with the dog--yep--curled at my feet, gazing at me adoringly when I lean down to ruffle the fur on top of his head. Lovely fall walks around the neighborhood with the faithful pup by my side, sun filtering through the leaves. Can't you just hear the theme music?
For some reason (I blame the dream) I decided that Thanksgiving weekend would be the perfect time to take down the gates that kept Louie permanently in the kitchen and to start letting him roam the house at will. (Greg agreed and said "maybe it will help the kids figure out to put their stuff away or Louie might get it" with a little gleam in his eye.) But guess what? Louie is not cooperating with the dream! It's like he has his own fond little dream of house ownership that involves free range grazing! Like he's one step closer to world domination.
Just now I heard him run upstairs so I got up and followed him. By the time I made it to Maddy's freshly painted, newly decorated bedroom he had pooped. Right there. In the corner. Louie!!!
We're a veritable sit-com. It would be called Louie! (italics and exclamation mark essential).
Perhaps the worst moment of the weekend was Saturday evening. He had been lying on the floor of the family room while we all read and lounged and played. (Ahhhh. The dream.) Someone said "where's Louie?" Lauren went into the front room and came back with a frightened look on her face and a piece of metallic plastic in her hand.
"Ummm....Dad?"
"Hmmm?" (G was reading.)
"Did you leave your blackberry in the front room?"
G glanced at the piece in her hand and leapt up. "Where is he?!!"
(This was asked not in the way of "where is that little rascal, I need to find the rest of my blackberry" but more in the manner of "if I had a gun I would use it right now" or "anyone know of a good farm in the country who could use a good furball puppy?")
Yes, Louie had chomped on his new, work-purchased fancy blackberry.
It's operable but barely. Maybe a couple of keys don't work anymore.
It might be that the back battery panel is too mangled to work.
Things are not looking up for that daddy-doggy relationship.
I didn't think it was the best time to remind him about his put-your-stuff-away-or-Louie-will-get-it doctrine. I'm perceptive like that.
In the interest of full disclosure, we did have lots of great times with him this weekend. He loves to be where we are and plop down at our feet, watching us with devotion and (I'm interpreting here) love. He comes right when you call him--I don't get that kind of response from anybody. He and Sam have great times playing fetch or soccer or keep away. He's a great cuddler. His puppy ways are diminishing and he really can be trusted most of the time. In a household of equal adult:teenage ratio (soon to be outnumbered in a few years) it's refreshing to come home to Louie's enthusiasm and pure joy at seeing me.
But having a puppy really is like having a toddler all over again. Well, a toddler with stellar jaw strength (seriously, how did he mangle that blackberry so quickly?). A toddler you can (thankfully) put in a crate when you need to.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Reader Comments (14)
Do I see another stay at the dog spa for Louie in the near future...
Jen
Oh Annie I understand your pain. Our "perfect" little daschund has left us many surprises in the basement right in front of the TV. He has chewed up many pairs of shoes, and not the Payless type of shoes. He has discerning taste. But they work their way into our hearts and it's a match made in heaven.
come on. tell us what G really said. use the shift button coupled with the number keys to spell it out.
Bad Louie! And poor G. That is just classic, isn't it? I also want to know the real words that came out of Greg's mouth. I'm pretty sure they were four-lettered.
Ouch! Sorry that your teether got such an expensive teething toy without permission.
Puppies are so cute aren't they?
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted
Oh, Louie.
I am definitely NOT caving...
(he is sure cute, though)
Nathan and my kids really want a dog. You are convincing me that I am right. We should NOT get a dog.
Yeah, we don't have any pets.
I love crate training and have pictured my toddlers in the crate several times.
You will remind Greg of his doctrine at some point, won't you?
Louie is so cute...poor G and his blackberry. Can't G just go into work and say the dog ate it and get a new one?
I was just thinking I should steal your idea, but it looks like you went to a lot of work scanning and stuff. Thanks for your clever thoughts. Every year we try to find a scripture that exemplifies something that reflects both our experiences of the year and something about Christ. Then we match it with an image (photo we took, line drawing, etc.) for the front. We print them online, now, after many years of trying to do them togther by hand. Too much work in a very busy time. But I still write a hand written note in most and I only ever send out 50 cards. I delete and adjust my list to keep it in this range.
Best wishes with your cards.
Do you want to go see "Marley & Me" with me?!?
It's a good thing he's cute!!!
Our kitty keeps trying to eat the glass christmas tree lights--I just don't get it, what's wrong with crunchy tasty pellets? why metal, I ask you?!