dog fever again

[fflo]

I spent a little of yesterday cruising petfinder. Blame Bessie & Lacey & Ronnie & Ralph & Jordy. Was talking to Bert last night about introducing a puppy, vs. a grown dog, to cats. Was also saying how I feel I'd have to make the lifestyle change decision all over again, even though that's not what went wrong last time I nearly became a dog girl.

There are some aspects of the current household arrangement that are definitely just lovely as they are, and would be disrupted by a pup, most verily. And I totally don't need to be told, by however many "getting a puppy?" sites, what a committment it is. Yet I couldn't help it, I went so far as to write to ask about the dog below, and his sister (I like the idea of a girl dog, and she's adorable too), who are up for adoption, and am more sad than relieved that I haven't heard back yet, that he (or she) may not be an option.



Yeah, he's missing an ear.

Funny I'm thinking about it when I'm barely back from my automobilic travels. Haven't even caught up on the email.

But also funny---and so uncomfortable, for me---how hard it is to envision, assess, the realistic desirability of such a move. When I know I'm overwhelmed by the swamping of considerations, why isn't that enough? What is the next step in easily pondering choices, however big? Why is it so hard to know what I want, and would knowing why make any difference?

Comments

ruff ruff

[squirrelykat.livejournal.com]

dogs. yeah! i'm working at the MT tonite for Emmylou Harris. she's a big dog fan, and even has a rescue place in Nashville....they say people that have pets live longer. Anoushka Shankar travels with her small dog, and it was in the audience with a family member for the show. the dog went on stage with her after the end of the show.

Re: ruff ruff

[fflo.livejournal.com]

i've never seen emmylou, but i bet she puts on a good show.

i could travel with my dog. i'd bring my dog over to see your dinosaurs, for instance.

[paperkingdoms]

Because puppies! Even I get all conflicted about puppies, and I *know* this is not a Dog Time of my life.

Puppies!

[fflo.livejournal.com]

I know what ya mean about Puppies!

I called the folks today. It IS an option. Will hear back on Sunday when he could be neutered & I guess whether I'm deemed worthy. In the shelterers' eyes, that is.

Anyhow, now I know what I'm considering w/this dog is possible. Eek!

[vjsmom.livejournal.com]

omg, what an adorable puppy. I think you should meet him. 'Course if you meet him, you'll be coming home with him, I'd bet. Has he been around any cats already? Cats can usually hold their own with puppies, it seems. And you could still travel with a dog. Just sometimes takes a little pre-planning if you're gonna do motels (you know. making sure that you can get a pet-friendly one in the area you're gonna be staying). Puppies are a lot of work to train, but they're so worth it!

[kohkae.livejournal.com]

Did Jake steer you away from having a male dog? :-)
I have to say, puppies are a lot of work, but I wouldn't trade Jake for the world with all his puppyhood put us through. Abby was a young adult when we got her and it was nice for us first timers to have an already house trained and teethed dog.

[fflo.livejournal.com]

Ha. No, Mr. Humpy was no discouragement. Maybe it's just that we had girl dogs when I was young? I dunno. I somehow think girl dog. But this fella's sister is now spoken for. And he isn't, apart from by me. He'll be getting neutered in a little less than 2 weeks....

P.S.

[fflo.livejournal.com]

Re: P.S.

[sprig5.livejournal.com]

sh*t no, she can't complain! i wish my dogs were that way. take the books seriously when they say touch your puppy's feet a lot to desensitize them etc. so they'll accept nailclipping. i'm glad i don't have to try to cut the hair between my dogs' toes./ short haired dogs-- yay!

Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson is a great book. #1 book for getting inside the canine brain.