A Puppy named Utah

Chapter 11 - A Series of Unfortunate Events

2006-06-11T13:50:00.000-04:00

Once night while I was still at work, E came home to an interesting evening. To start, as he entered the house a lovely stench of puppy poop filled the air. Utah was whimpering in is crate. Happy, to see E, but so upset about his ‘accident’ in his crate. His cries amplified at E approached the crate to let him out. Poor Utah just couldn’t hold it and now it was all over him, his pillow and a few toys. Earl had a poopy puppy on his hands… a puppy that would be getting his first bath… as of that moment and he would have to do it alone.

Upstairs to the bathroom Utah was carried. Then placed in some luke warm water while E started scrubbing the stinky pup. He cried and cried… his puppy eyes the saddest ones you have ever seen. But E said he was good. Even though he protested through whines, expressions and body language… and for the most part… after a bit of stuggle he stayed put. He cried until his eyes turned red. E felt so bad for him, so he made the bath go as fast as possible…. But he had to make sure he was clean.

All the while, E haddn’t known that the puppy’s screams and cries had seriously upset Murphy… and apparently she had had about enough of the little buggers noises. Up behind E Murphy quietly crept. The suddenly without warning she pounces, landing on E’s back and swiping, claws out, at Utah. E shifted in time, and swated Murphy off his back. Murphy back off. But only for a moment… until she attempted her little stealth moves again. Pouncing up on the E’s back and swatting… E caught her, and saying a few choice words, shoved her out of the bathroom door… as well as keeping a very wet puppy from escaping the bathtub at the same time.

It seemed now we had no choice. We had decided before we got Utah that Murphy would keep her claws unless she gave us a reason to have them removed. She had just done so… it was something we really didn’t want to do. Utah had never chased her, never barked at her, he had never done anything but try and meet her. We really thought it was all going to work out, until all of this.

We knew that at 10 years of age this procedure would be a painful one for her. And we had hoped and prayed that we could avoid it. Now it didn’t look that way. We couldn’t take any other chances… she had taken the opportunity when he was most vulnerable. We wouldn’t play favorites. Murphy’s appointment was made the next day. She would go in, in a few weeks.

One Sunday morning I took Utah for a walk and in quick succession Utah had taken several pees. Being a bit odd, kept an eye on him, and he peed again, I noticed that the pee was very dark, and even seemed to have have bit of blood at the end. We immediately turned around and went home. I rushed to tell E, and within the hour E, Utah and I were sitting in a emergency animal hospital.

We got to talk to a Doctor who asked me to get a urine sample from him. (OH GOODIE) She passed me a little stainless steel bowl and said there was a little place to wander around outside where he might be inspired. Did I mention she smiled?!? Ugh

Surprisingly enough it was easier then I though. It had turned out that teaching Utah to ‘Go Potty’ on cue was beneficial. So after a little tour of the grounds, Utah squatted and I scooted… placing the little bowl quickly under him. HA HA… success! We walked back in the clinic… I got praise… but no cookie. As it turned out, Utah had a urinary track infection. One that the Vet thought was being caused by his food, possibly too much ash content. The vet sent us home with some new puppy food, a prescription for the UTI and a special scoop and container to collect a stool sample. Utah hadn’t been inspired enough to produce a dropping for the Vet while we were there. So they asked us to rush it in later when he went. My favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon, wait for my puppy to poop.

A few days later we had Murphy’s appointment for her de-clawing. And Utah had an appointment for his latest shots. E took Utah to the vet and came home with ear drops for him… yeast in his ears. And when I dropped off Murphy at the vet… I also picked up another prescription for Utah. For the parasite they had found in his poop.

Murphy was staying over night. They had to apply a patch that would make the de-clawing less painful for her and do some blood tests. Utah was taking 2 pill ever 12 hours plus 3 to 4 drops in his ears at the same time, all for the next 2 weeks. To be honest, I had been kind of disappointed about the ear drops. I had been cleaning his ears and had even been told by the vet that they looked good. I felt like a bad mommy.

So with Utah’s issues under control, we sat comfortable for about a day. At work I got a call about Murphy. Her blood work had come back. It showed she was very dehydrated, had kidney problems. She also had some very bad teeth, perhaps releasing so many toxins that her kidneys couldn’t keep up. On top of this our poor Murphy had a heart murmur. This is what made the whole situation bad. So even if they could manage to hydrate her, surgery for the teeth or claws would carry a very slim chance of her surviving. But they wanted to see if she would take to the hydration… and if they could do anything else for her. With Murphy’s kidney problems… she wasn’t retained the water she drank… and any nutrients that she needed they would flushed out. Murphy would stay at the vet for 3 days. She took to the IV hydration, and even let the vets pull the nasty teeth from her mouth with out going under and without much fuss. They were rather impressed. Though worried about what she had eaten… she had thrown up. Her spirits were deteriorating at the vet. And they asked if should could come home, to see how she did there. Perhaps the stress of being at the vet was the cause of her not eating and or throwing up what she did eat. Then they asked about how Murphy had been acting before we had brought her in.

“was she eating?”
“all her food, everyday… even meowing for us to get it in the mornings.”
“has her moods changed?”
“nope… she’s been doing the things she always does.”
“any vomiting, accidents or lethargic at all?”
“ no really, honestly nothing about her has been different about her since I met her 2 years ago. And even E says she been her normal self for years.”
“what about urinating a lot.”

Now that rung a bell. I was the one who always cleaned out the litter box… and though I had never cleaned up after a cat before in my life… I always felt like she had a lot of urine in her litter box. Though because it had always been that way… and that I have never had a pet cat before, I really didn’t think anything of it. It was just something that sat in the back of my head. The vet told me that with kidney problems… animals urinate a lot more then they should. Even releasing the water she so desperately needed.

At that moment I wished I had researched having at cat as much as I had researched having a dog. It just had never crossed my mind. She had been a package deal with I had moved in with E. Murphy had become my ‘step cat’. The thoughts that ‘cat are independent’ had fogged my mind. She was now 10 years old… and we figured she’d have a few more lives, didn’t she?

Friday afternoon, to our happiest surprise Murphy came home. Though any surgerys were out of the question, Murphy’s body had take to the hydration well. But her heart murmur would complicate things. Murphy could recoup at home. Our once 15 lbs cat had shrunk to about 11. she looked small, almost kitten like, but the hydration made her look so healthy. E took her down stairs to here food and water. She happiely climbed out of her crate and nibbled on some food and water. It seemed she was happy to be home. Hope filled out hearts. But not things were different. Murphy, after that refused all food. She still drank and only remained in the basement. She use to always come out and mingle or sit in the sun that shone in the front window. Now she was always in 1 of 2 places. On a shelf, high under the stairs or in the gym in a basket, that I had put a pillow and towel in for her. Now, she was lethargic. Now, she was not eating. She was weak and losing so much weight. 5 days and she had hardly eaten. I had asked E to call the vet, but it think it was too much for him. So on Thursday afternoon on my drive home from work, I called the vet. They suggested I bring her in so they could look at her. I called E, we discussed our options. He asked me to do what had to be done, if the vet agreed that it was in her best interest to put her down. We pretty much knew that Murphy wouldn’t be coming home..

After dealing with Utah when I got home and putting him back in his crate. I managed to lure Murphy out from the shelf under the stairs. Surprizingly she came out. I petted her and soothed her, then picked her up and placed her carefully in her crate and took her upstairs. I paused for a moment, turning to make sure I had locked the back door. When I turned back to her, she had collapsed in the crate. I worried that she had just given up right there. I called her name, she moved looked up at me and meowed. I swallowed hard as I felt my heart skip a beat. I now felt the need to rush her to the vet. Sp much hope still hung on my heart. It was the quietest car ride I had ever known her to take. I talked to her hoping to comfort her, and myself, hoping to hear her meow.

“I love you Murphy and E, he loves you so very much.” I’d pause, “You’re a great girl Murphy, we love you so much.” I struggled to tell her with out sounding upset. I took a few deep breaths, she’d meow. I keep talking to her… and her meows became softer. I knew I was telling her all this for the last time. She was so weak. At the vet she was sitting up in her crate. And in the Doctors room she came out of her crate without problem. She looked awful. I hadn’t seen her in this much light at home. She must have weighed 8 lbs. Her fur was shedding and it was covered in dandruff. Her face was starting to sink in and she looked hallow behind her ribs… her sides all sunk in. Alone in this room with her I cried. She was so sick… and I felt so helpless to help her. I could hardly speak… it was so upsetting to see her like this. I took a moment to clear my thoughts before the doctor came in.

When he came in we went over her history of the last few weeks. Things weren’t good. As he review we knew that putting her down was the only option. To save her from the pain and agony of just letting herself go like she already was by refusing to eat and our care.

I choose to stay with her, the Doctor gave us a few minutes. I told her a few more times with tears in my eyes how much we loved her and pet her in her favorite spot behind her ears… she leaned in… I could hardly feel her against me.

The Doctor returned with an assistant. They set her up, prepared me for what would happen. I pet her head. and she quickly relaxed and went to sleep. Just peace and quiet.

The doctor told me she was gone. I knew if I stayed that I would break down right there and not want them to take her away. I pet her one last time, then turned and left. Dealt with reception, they were very kind. I stayed quiet, only thanking them for their sympathy. The building that had been a buzz with owners and pets when we had arrived was now empty and quiet. I quickened my pace as I got closer to my car. I placed the empty crate in the back of the care, got in the drivers seat a cried.

Chapter 10 - Our Date with the Doc

2006-06-09T12:55:00.000-04:00

This was our second date. Our first date had been reletivly quick and painless. At that point he had wieghed in at 11.8 pounds and we had had him for a week. They looked at him, gave him a shot and clipped his nails. The nail clipping was Utah's least favorite moment. Though we managed to get through it without much drama.

But this visit was a little different. To start we had to wait, for about 40 mins. Utah met many different dogs... or at least wanted too. I wanted to keep him at bay just incase. i mean there is usually a reason why that dog is at the vet. it the same reason i dont really like making friends in a doctors office. Germs....

So i did my best to keep him sitting by my legs and leave the other dogs alone. Utah was nervous... and i wasn't the only on that could tell. Utah was stinking out the room. I kept apologizing to the people beside me.

Thankfully the assistant told us that the Doctor would see us and asked if we could put Utah on the scale. 17.8 lbs. The assistant said that was good... and that he was really growing well. My thoughts... wow... that like 6 pounds since last time!

This time i brought the 'stool sample' (lucky me) last time i was a bad mommy and didn't bring one. I didn't know i had to... no one had mentioned it... i swear! The collecting and containing of the 'sample' wasn't the problem. That just felt like your usual stoop and scoop. But carrying a container with 'poop' in my bag/purse... that felt a little strange. I was glad to hand it over.

Once Utah and I were in the Doctors Room things went per usual. H was a little upset about having a termometre stuck up his bum... but who could blame him. The Doc that had seen him the first time had taken it by ear. Then they administered the shot... he didnt even notice and the Doc asked how he was doing 'training wise'. Other then a few accidents in the house because it was raining outside, he wasn't having any trouble. The Doc mentioned that perhaps i should consider going outside with him... instead of sending him out on his own. Explaiing that if i don't want to go out in the rain... neither with he.

I kept my comments to myself and answered that i do go out with him and i always have. The doc just gave me a 'look'. I dont think he believed me. Perhaps i looked the type that didnt like to get wet in the rain. Perhaps he considered me to be 'high maintance'. i stood there... insulted, but quiet. I really didnt feel like defending myself to this Dic. Little did he know that i was the one standing out in the pouring rain, tugging on his leash, bribing him with cookies. the stubborn puppy on the other end... warm and dry still in the house. Looking at me as though I was crazy for wanting to go out in the cold wet rain. Usually it would end with me going to pick him up and carry him outside and staying out in the rain until he relieved himself. By the time we got back inside, he would be damp... and i would be soaked. So to have this doc telling me tha i need to go outside with him and stand in the rain... kinda hurt. I knew i was a better puppy mommy then that, and that is all that mattered

So after a clean bill of health the doc send the assistant in to clip his nails. Well he squired, he cried, he backed up as far as he could, to try and get away. It was quite the scene. the kind of scene i would make if i had to get a needle. eventually it was all over, and Utah wrapped his 2 front legs around my left bicep and wouldn't let go. So i scooped him up. he cuddled his head into my neck and got as close as possible. Then he whined a little. some sad and pathenic little cried... and hiccuped. He gets the hiccups when he is really upset.

This is how we walked out of the room to the reception area. When i approaced the front desk i rested his behind on the ledge so i could finish up the transactions, while he still held on for dear life. Everyone in the waiting room cooed, giggled and commented how he was just like a little baby the way he was holding on.

"Utah", i teased him " all the other dogs are going to think you are a really pussycat for being so scared." And strangely enough within a few seconds his hiccups were gone and he wanted down.

After walking out of the Vets on his own 4 feet he hopped in the car and slept in his travel crate all the way home.

Chapter 9 – Growing up fast

2006-05-22T16:59:00.000-04:00

It had been a few weeks since I had written anything down. I looked back and already see how much Utah has changed. Pottytime isn’t really a problem, I think it had been 5 days since his last accident. Mind you I am not about to count the one the other morning. He and I were awake. He and I both had to go. I took him out of his crate… hoping that he would wait for me. My mistake. Poor guy couldn’t hold it. But neither could I! I didn’t scold him. I pretty much understood I was asking a lot of him… but I figured that his puddle would be easier to clean up then mine! After that we went outside and he finished up. Then we cuddled on the couch and had a nap.

Easter was approaching, E and I had been invited over to my grandparents for dinner with my parents. I called my grandma and said we would be happy to be there…
“Are you going to bring the baby?” She asked referring to Utah. I was somewhat surprised. I didn’t really think her home would be a good place for a young pup. I was expecting him not to bring him.
“I would love to!” I replied…
Grandma was all excited… I was too. But I wondered how this would go. Utah hadn’t really had an accident in a while… and he had only had one other ‘excursion’ to E’s parents that I couldn’t go on due to work. His parents have 2 very large German shepards… therefore a dog proof house. Could I trust Utah not to potty in the house? What if he cried the whole time? What if he was afraid of my grandparents? Worry, I did, but I knew the visit would be good for him.

Sunday, early afternoon I packed up everything we would need for Utah.. Puppy food, treats, leash, many toys, paper towels, and other puppy ‘clean up items, bowls, blankets and ‘his’ towel. E secured Utah’s travel crate in the truck… I bribed Utah to go in it and we were on our way. My bag (purse if you will) that I take to work had been transformed in to a puppy ‘diaper’ bag.

Grandma has a nice size backyard. That, unlike ours, is completely fenced in. Safe for Puppies to run around – off leash.

Introductions went as well as we could have wished. He was shy…but then curious to find out who the new people were. Then we took Utah in to the backyard. On his leash we wondered slowly to do a little safety check. Then I unhooked his leash. He didn’t really get it at first. He still followed me around as though he was still on it. Then about an hour later… it really clicked in. Utah realized that the only thing holding him in were the 4 walls around the yard… not a leash. He was free…

He ran and ran and ran and ran… in circles, in figure eights, chasing E, tearing up the grass as he went. We were eating his dust (grass in this sense). Utah was a very happy pup… and this was heaven for him. A hidden paradise for puppies to run free.

He was so good during this visit too. He had no accidents, he gave us the look. No chewing of things or breaking of things he wasn’t suppose to. And the most impressive thing was when we all sat down for dinner. E brought his travel crate in the house and placed it in the sunroom. I put him in there, gave him a treat and soothed him for a few minutes. He curled up with is chewing bone and had a nap.

Even with all the wonderful aromas of turkey, ham and gravy filling the air, we never heard a peep from him. All the chatter and noise of dinner didn’t tempt him to cry. He quietly chewed his bone and lulled himself to sleep. My little boy made the best impression. I was the proudest puppy mom in the world.

Chapter 8.5 Murphy Mini bit – The Great Escape

2006-05-22T16:58:00.000-04:00

20 minutes before I had to leave for work I was getting Utah ready for his last potty time before going in his “alone time” crate. When I noticed that the back door had remained open after our last outing.

At first I wondered about Murphy… then I saw her tip toeing through the flower garden against the back fence.
“Murphy!” I called out. I wasn’t mad. Either E or I hadn’t shut the door properly and Murphy had simply decided to go on a little adventure. Though, when I called out to her she scampered under the deck like a spotted escaped convict. Murphy isn’t and outdoor cat. So I didn’t worry too much. She knew where her food was. Thinking quickly I slammed the backdoor. Hoping this would entice her to want inside. And in a few seconds when I reopened the backdoor Murphy tore in the house at full guilty speed.

Chapter 8 - the house is not a potty

2006-05-22T16:57:00.001-04:00

Life was settling in to somewhat of a normalcy. Through Murphy seemed the least bit of any interested in meeting Utah. But it seemed as though there might be hope. When one night all 4 of us slept soundly in the same room, as Murphy took her old usual place at our feet on the bed. Something she hadn’t done in quite some time.

Things were looking like they would slowly work themselves out.

Of late we had been struggling with Utah for potty training. I believe it was our lack of consistency with him. Making it hard for him to grasp the idea of going ‘outside’ to potty. A friend at work told me a story about her dog, and how she rewarded him every time he pottied outside. It got to the point where her pup was acting out the whole process and then looked for her to cough up a goodie. I laughed… but I figured it was worth a try.

So, the next morning potty time was apon us. And I was ready. I had 9 bits of ‘roll over’ in hand to proceed to bribe my little potty monster with. I put Utah on his leash and started, just trying to get Utah out of the house without leading him… I walked out onto the deck and called him, showing him the treat. Eventually we made it to the grass… now I had 3 pieces left. Now it was time for me to really start begging.
“Go Potty Utah. Go Potty.”
After a bit of confusion, he went. So I prasied.. “Good Boy!” and shoved a treat in his mouth. He looked at me… I swear he was just calculating what all had just happened. Then he walked around a bit, I figured I’d wait and see what more he might have to offer. To my surprise… he peed again. So I repeated the verbal praise and gave him a treat. Then he walked around quietly sniffing the ground… not sure if perhaps he had to go #2, I waited.

He stopped, squatted and made a funny face. Squeezing out a few drops… everything he had. Then sat proudly, seeking out his reward for what he though was a job well done. “Smart little bugger aren’t ya?!” I praised.
I only had a tiny piece left and offered it up. He had grasped the concept… Good boy!

Chapter 7 – the everyday the early days

2006-05-22T16:57:00.000-04:00

So far I had had no time off work since Utah has come home. Our morning routine consisted of:

3:40: puppy alarm - ‘I must go pee! Let me out!’

6:30: puppy alarm - potty break, breakfast and early morning play time.

We had a small crate (big enough for him at the time) set up beside the bed on a table right next to me that he would sleep in. Only the first night did he cry his eyes out going in it. He was the crate he had come home in, he was probably afraid that he was leaving again. After that he hardly made a fuss about going to bed. He actually made more of a fuss coming out of his crate when he had woken us up because he had to go. It was like “ I have to go!!” he would insist… then we would open his crate door he would sit up and look as us as if to say… “but is cold out there?! Why would I want to leave my nice warm bed?!” we usually had to gently pull him out.

Sometimes after the 6:30 breakfast I would be lucky enough to not have to be in to work until 10am… so he would get sleepy and would both have a nap before I had to get read for work.

E and I at this point have no children. But I now understand the pride a parent feels even in the early stages in a child’s life. Its really an amazing thing to be able to teach another creature… whether it be human or not how to communicate. Sure… with a pup all it takes is repetition and a number of treats… but it still makes you feel so proud.

Utah has learned…
His name
To sit
To climb stairs
To tell us by sitting at the back door that he has to go out.

Now mind you, we are only 5 days into this puppy parenting thing… we have accidents… and times when he doesn’t understand what we want when we say sit. But he does get it. And if he kinda gets it now… just imagine what we have waiting for us in the next few weeks.

Chapter 6 – Presents under the tree.

2006-04-19T19:55:00.000-04:00

March 25 was finally in view. I had cleaned and sorted the house from top to bottom. I even got down on all fours just like many puppy books suggest and pretended to be a pup trying to see anything and everything from their view and what looked interesting enough to chew or tug at. (which is pretty much anything).

I moved things
I organized
I put doors back up on the closet.

The house was never so organized. The cat food was put downstairs… Murphy didn’t seem to mind. Though it was at the cost of some catnip. Then I went puppy shopping. Tooth brush, tooth paste – peanut butter flavoured, puppy pads, dishes, collar, leash, bedding, crates, food and most importantly - toys. I would have bought the all the toys in the store if it was allowed. But I held back and only bought 4 on the first trip! E thought I was silly.

“and look at this stuffy,” I would say “ it has a little bag of beans inside that you take out and microwave and put back in! It says its really good for pups that are getting use to a new home.. its suppose to be soothing!” I was very proud of that purchase. It made me feel like a good mom. E just shook his head

I felt that we were as ready as we could be. At this point we had to let the cards fall. At this point it was all up to the pup how the first few days would go.

E’s alarm when off at 7:10 am on March 25. I was still sleepy… but knew I had to run a few things to the dump before Utah showed up. It seems Murphy had drawn another card in her attempt to spoil the puppy’s home coming. For some reason not only did the garbage truck pick up really early… but it went down our side of the street first.. in two years… it had never done that.

So with garbage in tow I stepped out outside. The sun was shining but it was cloudy and even sprinkles of snow were trying to fall. It was warm… it was a very confused weather day. Probably the malicious work of Murphy… what ever spell she has tried to cast apparently wasn’t strong enough – perhaps a rush job. She had been foiled yet again. A few minutes after I had returned the phone rang.
“can you hear him?” I heard though a forest of sad cries
“I can hardly hear you!” I answered.
“he won’t stop crying… Poor guy” E’s voice sympathetic to a pup that had just been taken from his family.

I suggested playing some classical music like “puppies for dummies” had suggested. He said he would try it and then hung up because he really couldn’t hear me.

In moments they would be home… I was desperate to keep myself busy. But there just wasn’t anything more to do but wait… something I am not very good at. So I sat and watched tv… begging my ears not to listen for his truck pulling into the drive way. And after about the sound of a car door closing… I heard the deep rumble of a ford f150 in the driveway. I couldn’t take it.. though I had been waiting for this moment all my life… I had to peek… so I peeked out the front door window. E sat in the truck, looking down at the passenger seat. I creaped outside and he rolled down his window. I didn’t hear any crying.

E whispered “he cried himself to sleep… but I think the classical music really helped.” I peered over his lap to the passenger seat to see a tiny, timid pup… looking up from his cage. Our little Utah has finally come home. He was scared… and I was a mix of emotions.

E brought him inside, set his cage down in the middle of the TV room and opened the cage door. I recalled reading “let the pup come out of its travel crate on it own accord.” And I did so… unwillingly… but I did. Though I didn’t have to wait long… he pretty much came out right away.. I called for E. I mini paniced… there was now a baby pup walking around my house and I didn’t know what to do! But it was ok… he ate the food we put out for him, drank all the water we gave him. He ate treats… he played with all this toys.. he took to playing with us rather quickly even if he was timid with every new thing he came across. He has his accidents… but we never scolded him… this may all be new to him…but it was VERY new to me and even to E.

Soon everyone was tuckered out. E had already started napping on the couch. Then Utah came over to me… made and attempt to climb onto me.. so I scooped up his butt. He curled up on my chest cuddling into my arm and fell asleep. My heart raced. And it was at that moment that I let my axniousness go. I tilted my head down to kiss him on the head and quietly let a few tears of so many emotions fall.

* * *
Honestly what I had expected was a terror on all 4s. A sad, and very scared puppy. Just like my books had told me. But he wasn’t. He played, he snuggled, he pottied, he ate his food. Other then the odd nip and accident in the house his first day was a really good one. But the curious thing about Utah is that he was timid about everything… at least at first or the first few times. He didn’t bound out of his crate.. or scarf down his food or even take to us with open arms. He was maybe 10 pounds… and had back legs that weren’t fully developed yet. He didn’t sit… he just plopped down on his behind. He walked sideways… he was just learning to coordinate his back legs.. climbing stairs or onto high furniture was a real task when you don’t quite know how to work them. He was 7 ½ weeks old when we got him. Just a wee little guy.

His first night we set the little cage that he had arrived home in. We place it right bedside the bed where he could see me. He cried and whined and gave himself the hiccups. I ran downstairs and warmed up the little soothing stuffy and placed it in his cage beside him. He picked it up… cuddled it and sucked on its tail… exactly what it was for. He quietly whined a little… and kept his eyes on me the whole time, so long had he could keep them open. As he sleepily sucked on his stuffy, I laid on the very edge of the bed… as close as I could to him. And hummed him a couple of lullabyes. Withing a few minutes he had lost his hiccups and was fast asleep. We and our puppy had made it though our first day.

Chapter 5.5 – Mini Murphy bit #1

2006-04-19T19:54:00.000-04:00

Murphy our cat… the princess… we knew she would not like someone else getting all the attention. But she would just have to deal with it. We were going to give her a fair chance to ‘befriend’ Utah when he came home.

I was watching tv one morning, Murphy approached for her morning ear scratching. E sat on the couch next to me. I proceeded to adore our Miss Murphy as she requested and she leaned heavily in to my hand.
“Murphy.. listen… I found the voodoo dolls. That wasn’t very nice.” She closed her eyes to further enjoy the scratching. “I suppose you think you have solved any threats of a puppy entering our home.” She seemed to be ignoring my words… and started to purr. “But what you don’t know, is that there is now another litter.”

Instantly her eyes popped open… her head jerked up and she stared wide eyed at me for a second or two. The biggest cats eye you have ever seen. With a clear expression of shock. Then she dashed upstairs. I think she was going to check on her stash of voodoo dolls or even whip up a quick spell.

Chapter 5 – Dad’s stamp of approval

2006-04-19T19:49:00.000-04:00

When we made the initial trip to meet all the dogs we were lucky enough to have met both parents of our would be pup. Tuey (Mom) and Ralleye (Dad).

Both wonderfully warm and sweet hearted. We knew that if we got a pup from this litter, there was no reason to me disappointed. Even if Ralleye has a ‘thing’ for hair. After S had promised our placement on her waiting list we were once again anxiously awaiting the new due date. Though this time with a hint of caution.

I must have checked her website nearly everyday. And when February 2nd drew near I upped it to several times a day, it was starting to boarder a ‘habit’ or ‘addiction’. On the evening of February 1st I made a quick stop at her site. ‘Sigh’ no update. So I just made a quick check of my email. And there it was. An email with the subject “ The puppies are here!”. I held my breath. Afraid it might end up being some internet email spam. So with the same hesitation that I opened my college acceptance forms, I held my breath and I clicked the link. It was as I had hoped. Tuey had had her litter. On February 1st 2006, 10 healthy little pups 6 boys and 4 girls were born. I squealed with glee and ran for my cell phone to immediately call E. S wanted confirmation that we still wanted one and that we wanted a boy. I asked E to call her right away, and so he did.

S told E that in a few weeks we would be welcome to come up and see the pups. And on February 19 we did just that. Forgoing a family bowling tournament, we hopped into the truck and headed up to S’s with my new Nikon digital SLR in hand. We pulled into the familiar drive and let ourselves through the gate. A different dog greeted us… though the pack was no where to been seen (or heard). S greeted us from her door and bid us to come in. The corgis were inside, as well as two 9 week old pups… who were in a pen in the kitchen. They were from the previous litter and S had decided to keep them. The GSP pack was apparently out running ramped on the grounds somewhere. S showed us into a closed off room were Tuey took the opportunity to take a break from the pups. As she figured we could keep and eye on them for her. It was a cozy tv room with a puppy fence, a heat lamp and 10 tiny little puppies fast asleep on a cozy blanket. Rolly little puppies all white with brown patches, listening to The Incredibles that play on the tv. I looked carefully at each and every one. Then I took a picture of every pup wondering which pup was our little Utah. They were so sweet, small and fragile looking I was timid to pick one up. So I just pet them. E and I stood there crouched down just looking at them. I knew better then to pick a favourite. I would have a 5 out of 6 chance of being wrong so I just took them all in. But I couldn’t help but love one of them because his pose was just too cute. Lying on his side, with one from leg stretched out from under his head and the brown pads on his paw exposed, with and patch of pink in the middle. The photo of him was priceless.

“March 25 you can pick him up.” S said to E. I had only noticed that they had been talking for a while, and I had been in my little puppy trance. March 25 was 34 days away. I felt like a kid… and Christmas was really coming this time, even if it was late 3 months. Though it seemed so far away! It was then that I realized that it was Ralleye who had left a big dirty paw print on my white shirt. And no matter what I did it would not come out.. apparently Marta knew I would not be getting one of her pups… but Ralleye gave us the “stamp” of approval.

Chapter 4 – Christmas Angels

2006-04-07T21:41:00.000-04:00

A few weeks before Christmas we received news that Marta was confirmed pregnant, doing well and due on December 22. As each day passed I held my breath a little more hoping and saying a little prayer every night that Marta would have a health litter that included a big ticked male for E and I.

But soon Christmas Day had come and gone. And we had heard nothing from S. Her website had not even been updated. It all seemed very unlike S. I stayed optimistic as best I could. Thinking that giving the holidays things were probably a little crazy around S’s house. A few days later E and I couldn’t wait anymore. I called S. Her sombre voice answered the phone I asked her how things had gone and she told me that only 4 of a litter of 10 survived. And that unfortunately we just weren’t high enough on her waiting list to get a puppy. She apologized, and promised that if we still wanted a pup we were pretty much guaranteed one from her next litter since now we would be on the top of her waiting list.

She even told us that she was already expecting a litter in early February. I thanked her and said we would still love to have a puppy. She promised to keep us updated and said she would be in touch soon.

I hung up the phone, my heart felt heavy. I dried my eyes cleared the lump from my throat and went downstairs and told E the sad news about the pups and the good news about us on the top of her list for the next litter. It’s true, I was disappointed that we wouldn’t be getting a pup 8 weeks from that moment. What really broke my heart was the loss of 6 pups. It just didn’t seem fair. I guess they just needed more angels in heaven that day.

Chapter 3: Meet the Parents (and the very extended family)

2006-04-07T21:37:00.000-04:00

One day…I got the OK to start looking for a breeder. A few months back E and I had decided on the breed… at first we talked about getting a Golden Lab. But E always talked about this one dog he happen to see in our neighbourhood every now and then. We happen to see this dog one day walking with his owner. We must have creeped that poor girl out pretty good. It was late at night… and a big white truck came to a stop beside her.

“excuse me… could you tell me what breed of dog that is?”
She seem to let her guard down a little… and smiled
“Oh!.. its German shorthair pointer.”

We chatted a little longer and apologized for perhaps scaring her.

When we got home… I researched the dog breed online. And a few months later E told me that it was time to start looking for a breeder.

Since E had had a dog before he made me to all the dirty work. I think he was just testing me to see how much I wanted this dog. Searching the internet for a local breeder was the first step. Then I calling them to see if they had any prospective litters. And the earliest I heard was spring 2006 litters. Which was 6 months away.

Calling and talking to the breeders was probably the hardest part for me. As I am not much of a phone person. When my phone rings I wait for the caller ID to let me know who it is. Calling strangers is kind of nerve racking for me. Some people think I am a phone snob… but I am really just a bit phone phobic. E knew this…
So I sucked it up. Gathered my courage… made some notes and wrote down some questions to ask for when I called each breeder. I just didn’t want to sound like I wasn’t serious or un-informed about the breed. Though I must admit when ever they would tell me that they expected their ‘bitch’ to be ‘in season’ I giggle like a teenager inside.

I soon called a woman named S. Breeder out in Stouffville. She was very informative and was very easy to talk to. She made me at ease… a major winning over pint for me. S answered every question I had. When a litter was due, how much, deposits, why do they crop the tails, how do we go about naming the pup since hers are registered, in the worst possible scenario would she be willing to take the dog back, does she tattoo, microchip. She even told me things that I didn’t know to ask. She was a wealth of information. So we set a date to meet. That coming Sunday we would meet S and all her dogs in person…

Early on a Sunday morning in October E and I drove out to Stoufville. About a 1 ½ hour drive. A warm and sunny autumn day. The driveway was canopied with a palette of fall colors. A charming old farm house in the distance and the large grounds all fenced in. We pulled up to the large wire gate and parked. As we walked out to the gate we noticed one lonely corgi sitting in the middle of the drive up ahead. He didn’t make a sound… but he walked slowly towards us. It was all very quiet. S merged from out of the house… beaconing us to let ourselves though the gate. Then they came… from all angle. Out of the woods on either sides… and tearing down the drive to see who had just been invited in. the leaves rustled… and there was the sound of many paws. There must have been a swarm of about 10 to 15 dogs. Many GSPs and many Corgis. It was the most dogs I had see all at once, unleashed and eager. They were all so happy to see visitors.

We cautiously opened the gate… so to make sure no dogs got out. But to our surprise none made an escape attempt. They simply wanted us to come in. Then came the sniffing, the whines and the licks. Each dog taking a turn to meet us. Within mere seconds my new black coat was a lovely shade of white… and looking more like a fur coat with the odd accessory of doggie slobber. E had worn and older sweater and jeans. He was covered too, but it was obvious he had dog experience and I was a rookie. I had learnt my first lesson. And it was plainly written all over me in white doggy fur.

S introduced herself, as did we.. then she pointed out and introducing each dog. I suddenly knew what it felt like to be and outsider invited to one of my family functions. 40+ people to meet and remember names. S pointed out Ralleye, Tuey, Marta and many others. I asked about the one tied up at the house. ‘That’s Spike’ she said… apparently he had gotten himself into some trouble lately. It was such a strange mix of dogs. As the GSPs are big dogs and the corgis so short… everyone was vying for attention… the corgis would just sit on your feet until you reached down and petted them. Joseph was one of them… but as you reached down to pet him.. he would quickly flop down onto his back so you could rub his belly.

Eventhough E and I were literally swarmed by pack of dogs, it was great. Most would think this situation to be intimidating … but it was amazing… they were all very friendly and sweet. And most of all I was so happy all of these dogs wanting to meet me and have me pet them… it was like a mini heaven. Marta soon became my favourite. She leaned into me as I petted her as we stood there talking to S. She was a leaner… and was trying to keep all my attention to herself. But with several other dogs insisting on my attention as well, it didn’t last very long. S invited us to come into the house and the herd came with us. ‘everyone in!’ S called out. And all the dogs went inside. We sat in the kitchen E did most of the talking, as I was very distracted with all the dogs, I could have stayed there all day… I loved it. I did my best to pay attention to the conversation, even asked a question now and then, so not to seem rude. And as I sat there each dog tried to get to know me. Marta – the mom to be – would rest her front legs on my lap and snuggle her head against my neck. This seem to encourage all the other dogs to try the same.. but for there own reasons. Spike.. who had now been let in the house because he was very upset about being left out when visitor had come in, made and attempt to place his front legs on my lap too… problem was the Marta was already there… and besides there not being enough room for 2 dogs… the weight alone… was too much. S told Spike to mind his manners… and he got down to go and investigate E. Soon he was back happy as can be. S called Spike her ‘kegger’ because he was always so happy to se everyone. And always seem to want to party it up. Spike came over beside me since Marta had taken a break from my lap. He sat down next to me and started to lick my hand. S had started talking about hip displaycia and what happens to dog when they have it, while Spike was intrigued with my hand. Soon I noticed that my hand was in Spikes mouth.. and he sat there quietly. Though I couldn’t really feel his teeth, his lips gently brushed against my hand.

“Oh don’t mind him,” S told me. “Spike has this thing for holding hands. He just likes to hold them.” She reassured me.

And for about 5 minutes that all he did. It was about the only 5 minutes Spike was quiet and calm. Other then that he was his usually bubble of joy.

Then Rallye took his turn. Rallye was S’s dog. He best friend and a mamma’s boy through and through. Though he took the time to check out the visitors.. he was rarely anywhere else other then S’s side. If I remember correctly Rallye was the biggest of her males. He quietly made is way over to me… and sniffed my hand. Then he gently got up on my lap with is front paws. Though with him being so big it wasn’t the most graceful attempt. But I let him. And I pet him and he was happy. Though it seems he had alternative motives. Rallye got a little closer to my neck.. his dirty paws pressing into my white shirt on my tummy, leaving one big paw mark. S, E and I just continued our converstation… then S realized before I did what Rallye was up to and told him to get down. He complied, with guilt in his sad eyes.

“Sorry, Rallye was going to suck on your hair… he has a bit of a hair fetish” she smiled. I laughed. Poor Rallye was busted.. and Marta was soon up on my lap again nuzzling against my neck. Marta… with puppies on the way, was still the sweetest dog. 4 hours later we left with an entourage escorting us to the gate. But before we left I held Marta one last time and quietly asked her if she would let me take care of one of her puppies. She stared at me intently and gave a little whine. I hoped that this was her way of accepting my promise to take good care of one of her pups. S put us on her list and promised to keep us updated about Marta. We could leave a deposit as soon as the pups were born.

Chapter 2: Ready this time…

2006-03-22T23:39:00.000-05:00

So hear I wait. 5 day until my puppy comes home. And for 2 reasons I am excited. Though I dare not speak of the one reason… I am funny that way. I just don’t want to get to excited… or spoil anything E has planned. It’s like I am trying to keep it a secret even from myself… Though we both know what the puppy means… it like I don’t want to jinx anything.

Just so you know. I have never really had a dog before. I know that doesn’t make much sense. You either had a dog before, or you didn’t. It’s not really possible to only ‘kind of’ have a dog.

But I did, I had a dog for a week. I loved her.. Cassie. I remember it like it was a dream. I was a teenager, on the phone with a friend. When my sister picked up the phone and told me to “get off the phone… dad wants to take us to get a dog!” I don’t even think I said goodbye to my friend as I hung up the phone a flew down the stairs to see what was going on. I should explain, my family was never really a ‘pet’ family. My sister and I were allowed to have hampsters and we had bugies too… but that was about the limit. My mom, was never a ‘animal in the house’ person. So the fact that we were being taken to go get a dog… was an event… a very strange and unexpected one. One that I never asked why or how they ever came to this decision and didn’t even have to be in the room begging!

Dad drove us to the humane society. Where we picked out a 6 month old mutt called Cassie. She was sweet. I sat on the bench with her, petting her hugging her, holding her leash as Dad filled out all the paper work. She was my dog immediately (or so I like to think). She was always around me… scratched at my door in the mornings until someone let her in. Where she would just cuddle up with me and go back to sleep. You could play tug-a-war with her and then pretend to be hurt… and she would drop the rope immediately and start licking your hand and whimpering thinking that she may have hurt you. I took her for walks… I was so proud. She would sit with me as I did my homework. Staring at the pages of my text books, looking as confused as I felt. I swear if she could have helped she would have. But I was a teenager… and if I had taken more responsibility for her, instead of leaving it up to my parents, we may have kept her. I always thought my mom as very brave for taking this chance… and as much as it hurt to let Cassie go… I understood why. Our house was just not a dog house. I never held it against my mom that Cassie has to go back. I slept with her in the basement the last night she stayed with us. Though I don’t remember who took her back… I still cherish memories and the picture I have of my mutt… I hope that she found a really good family.

Now that I think about it… we should have just tried for an older cat. Instead of a puppy. Perhaps that would have been a better idea. That might have been a better mix with my mom then a puppy… and less work for a couple of teenagers… who weren’t into ‘chores’.

So now I have read “Puppies for Dummies” cover to cover. I have a Puppies Health magazine and a magazine that focuses only our puppy’s breed. I have read as much as could find on the breed online. And I have gone shopping. Though we have yet to buy the crate and the puppy food…

Chapter 1 : Rock, Paper, Wet Nose

2006-03-22T23:36:00.000-05:00

In 5 days… there will be a puppy in my life. I have heard numerous advise and tips about puppies, even a lot of negative “are you sure… do you think you can handle it?”. As much as that bothered me, I always reminded myself of the need that burned deep inside me. I always promised myself that one day, when I was I was all grown up… I would get a puppy. I don’t know if anyone but my boyfriend E understands how important it is to me to have a dog in my life.

So where do I start? Well how about somewhere in the middle. E and I had always talked of things freely, light hearted. We had been dating for sometime and now and then laughed about what it would be like to be married. He often teased me about some ridiculas rock I might get for a diamond. I remember one time he was bugging me as we drove out of our neighbourhood. I wasn’t really listening… as I was distracted by a yellow lab puppy bouncing down the sidewalk, with his proud owner. (puppies don’t walk… the bounce). Suddenly, I had a great idea. “E… if you ever really want to propose to me… get me a dog…. Not a ring.” He was silent. Just pondering the idea I suppose. I was serious, and smiling…. So very proud, almost glowing with my idea.

It was the perfect idea.

E had mentioned that he would never get another dog with someone unless there was a real commitment involved.

I had been married before and I never understood what my stunning engagement ring meant. It was a beautiful ring. But I never shook the feeling that I wore a price tag on my finger. I still don’t understand why money (a diamond) is supposed to be an ultimate symbol of how much a man loves a woman. You’re telling me that rock… compressed coal… that costs thousands of dollars to purchase from a diamond retailer means Love? I Thought money couldn’t buy love? And even if you ‘appraise’ it, it will still be ‘worth’ that much money. But I dare you to actually try and get that amount for the ring. In most cases… you wouldn’t even come close. In my life, in that relationship, the symbolism was ironic.

Now, when I said I wanted a dog, instead of a ring. This is what I thought about:

A Ring: cold, shiny, pretty, it’s the meaning and the thought that counts. Costs a lot but really contains no real value.

A Dog: warm (with a wet/cold nose), always happy to see you, protection, loyal, devoted, company, loves you unconditionally.

To me, a dog and the way they loves you is how every marriage couple should strive to love eachother, unconditional. So for me a dog, instead of a ring made much more sense. If only we could all Love like a dog, the world would be so different.