We brought Wilson home Sunday night. It is now Christmas Eve. I am completely overwhelmed.
I am overwhelmed with love. He is so precious, snuggly and sweet. He gazes up at me with such love in his tiny little eyes. He lays his nose on my shoulder or nuzzles up to my chest when I hold him. He pounces when he plays and lopes around the yard following me. I love his soft fur, his fat tummy, the curly hair on his ears, his giant paws, his wagging tail, his sweet face.
I am overwhelmed with the amount of care he needs. I had forgotten how much work puppies are. More work than newborn babies in some ways. I did newborn way easier than I am doing Wilson. Maybe its because I’m older. And Wilson doesn’t wear diapers and has very sharp teeth and claws. I have had my nose and lip ripped open and my hands are covered with scratches and bite marks despite all we are doing to teach him not to bite.
He knows to go potty outside and we take him out every half hour he’s awake and every two hours he’s asleep but he gives about a split second warning that he has to go when indoors, like, whine, pee, or whine, squat to poo.
This morning after the 5th night of getting up every two hours to take him outside when we got up at 7:30 am BC—before coffee, we were outside, Diego watching from the patio. I was just standing completely frustrated as Wilson pulled on my pajama pants and then my robe. I swear Diego looked at my face and took pity on me by coming down to play with Wilson awhile. He is very patient as his nose is scratched and bitten up too.
We came in and i put Wilson in his kennel on the bed next to me for naptime, about 8:15. Wilson napped and I tried, but he whined and changed positions and harrumphed himself down about every minute and a half.
I then sat in my quiet time chair trying to drink my coffee while Wilson wanted up then down, tried to chew cords, ignored his toys, tried to figure out ways to get past the blockades, tried to play with Diego who usually lays at my feet. Forget quite time.
I was near tears when my knight in shining armor woke up and came in. Scott hugged me and took Wilson so I could eat breakfast and do about 10 minutes of reflection, gratitude, etc.
I took Wilson back and had him with me for my morning bath. He whined and came over and put his paws up on the tub so he could see me (adorable) and licked the water off my fingers then plunked himself down for a nap. What’s a girl to do? I filled the tub up the rest of the way and took a nap in the tub til I was pruny.
Mid morning and afternoons are mellower. He eats and drinks and potties and thank God, naps some. I have been going in to the office this week to see clients in the afternoons. My grand plan was to have Wilson quietly napping in the kennel during sessions. I am a dreamer. Scott has been off this week and has watched Wilson. I am so grateful for how into this Scott has been when it was totally my idea to get a puppy. He loves Wilson. He said to me, “It’s so much better to have a puppy when we are older and more patient.” Huh. I’m back on my anxiety meds lol.
Evenings are a bit better. Wilson is mellow in the evenings. He naps and chews his toys and snuggles on the couch taking turns on our laps or between us. Late in the evening we take him out to the yard to chase us around to get him tired or we put him in a backpack and go for a walk. We let him chase us through the park. Then its off to bed where he sleeps for two hours at a time then snuggles and goes back to sleep after going potty.
I think we will survive and he will turn out to be a wonderful family addition and hopefully therapy dog. I am enrolling him in puppy school today.
dianegclark 