And they call it puppy love

I believe that the three readers I have know about what happened with Ivy.

Sunday, we went to Middleton to look at a 4 month old puppy and came home with Nia.  Nia is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.  She’s called a “fluffy” because her coat isn’t straight.  This means she cannot be bred or shown, which works for us.  I’ve been agonizing over whether or not it was too soon to bring her home and last night it dawned on me that if I didn’t have Nia to care for, I’d be wallowing in bed or the couch all day in my grief for Ivy.  Tuesday morning, all I wanted to do was pull the blankets up over my head and cry for Ivy but Nia had to go out and eat, etc.  I miss Ivy like crazy and really want my dog back but I also want Nia to grow up to be a good dog citizen and a great companion.

I have a new respect for new mothers.  Taking care of a puppy is hardly as much work as taking care of a baby but compared to Ivy, it’s still overwhelming.  It’s been 33 years since the last time I’ve had a puppy and my mother did most of the work, despite vows of cooperation made by my brother, my father and myself.  I told my mother that I had a new respect for her AND think that maybe it’s a bit of payback.  Nia is very smart but she doesn’t always want to potty when we want her too.  By 8pm I’ve just about lost the small amount of patience that I posess.  I know she’s just a baby and it will get better.  She’s actually right on the verge of puppy adolescence.  She’s also teething right now.  I know teething messes with babies big time.  I wonder if it does the same for puppies?  I’ve got a few books on hold from the library and am waiting for them to hurry up and get to my library.

Nia and I took a walk this morning and she peed AND pooped.  I never would have imagined that I could become so excited over pee and poo!  I’m not doing anything special to train her how to take a walk and she’s still doing very well.  She’s all over the place but didn’t walk in a circle around me once this morning.  I’m such a proud mum.

Nia