They Call It Puppy Love

As promised, here’s my survival guide for first week with my new puppy Winnie— she did well and has learned to sit for a treat. She sat for the vet too. I’m a proud survivor of her 9th week!

Action! After completing her outside duties, Winnie gets to play wildly! She’s half zoom zoom and half slow motion nap girl. Bursts of activity. We rest when she does! But she sleeps all night! Of course it is all hands on deck in the day. She’s learned to sit, stay, down already. The leash is a toy so far, but training is on the way. She’s very smart. She’s in First Grade after passing puppy kindergarten!

What a week! Although we’ve had dogs during our entire marriage, it’s been a long time since we had a puppy! Winnie is a delight. In fact, everyone at the vets office came to visit her in the exam room – one by one, they came in and sat on the floor with puppy. These people at my vet nursed my last dog from puppyhood to his recent death. They cried with us, and they sent cards with all their names. We told them we were too old to get a puppy, and they thought we were done.

When I told them that we changed our mind, and that we decided to get a puppy – they were overjoyed. When I went to the vets office, one girl said she had been waiting to meet Winnie since I called. Talk about a happy visit. This was the day after Kamala won that crazy debate. Joy was in the air everywhere. Puppies and kitties always bring joy and smiles & love.

Winnie has a persistent desire to get a treat, get a snuggle, eat her kibble, and play outside on the patio. The falling leaves have thrilled her, and every leaf is a toy to crunch. I think it’s the crackle she likes to hear. She has a career already as a happy leaf mulcher! We wish we had sweet Winnie’s energy, but we love the entertainment and puppy cuddle time.

If you have a puppy or you have good memories of your last puppy-raising, you’ll understand that their cuteness is their secret weapon. What is a poo or pee accident when puppy looks remorseful and climbs onto your lap for a cuddle? We are busier than ever keeping up with Winnie’s antics and creating a schedule to do basics like cleaning the kitchen haha. Working around her schedule? Yes. A lot gets done here while she naps!

Happy Sunday from our house to yours! It’s time for family, food, music, sports or whatever revives your spirit for Monday and working your gifts to get the vote out! We must win this election for every honorable reason you can envision for the sake of our country and really the world. We know we are on the right side of history and progress. Forward! Forward