Cookie: A Love Story?
March/17, 2008 07:26 AM
So the story is this: we've been looking for a dog to be part of our little family for quite a while. We've tried several, but never had much of a fit. The kids have been on us a bunch (especially Anna), because they really wanted a dog.
Over the course of the last couple of weeks, it's gotten quite intense. Dylan offered to pay for a dog. Anna did, too, in a separate conversation. She also asked for one for her sixth birthday. So, we've started to go to pet adoptions at local pet stores and other places, scouting for a dog. Last weekend, we even put in an application on one that I sort of liked, but was concerned might be TOO mellow for us.
But also last weekend, we saw "JuJu" (Cookie's former name) for the first time at our local animal shelter. She was a gorgeous and fun seven-month-old puppy, but high energy. Obviously intelligent, though. And the staff and volunteers loved her, telling us several times that she was "the best family dog in the place." We all really liked her, but I had reservations, so we walked away.
Then on Friday, Ami and the kids went back to the shelter, and found two more dogs. We went back as a family yesterday to check them out. One was gone, and the other was just too afraid of everything (doors, leashes, Anna, the flag pole at the shelter...EVERYTHING). But as I was getting ready to leave, another volunteer stopped me and said "if you're looking for a family dog, I can show you the best one in the place." I said fine, thinking she'd show me a dog we hadn't considered. But instead, she marched me straight to JuJu. So I decided we'd give her another look.
Today, I'm kind of mad at myself for leaving her in that place for a week. It's very early, but she's been GREAT so far. Extremely well-mannered. She's learning fast--already mostly stopped jumping up on us and on the couches, and now knows how to get into my car, and where her seat is.
What's more, the kids are thrilled. We took a long walk around the neighborhood with Cookie this afternoon, and Dylan held the leash the whole way. She only really pulled when we went past yards with barking dogs. She's ready to play any time anybody else is. And any time anybody stands up in the house, she does too...knowing you might be getting ready to play with her or do something interesting.
As for Cookie herself, I think she mostly likes it here. She's not too thrilled about being caged at night, but she didn't bark or cry last night at all. She LOVES our boy, and I suspect the feeling is mutual ("she's a great dog, isn't she Dad?" was the last thing he said to me before bed last night). She's a little frustrated that the cats won't play, but I think she'll adjust. She likes the chew toys and the reward snacks. And when she got tired and fell asleep on the floor next to the couch last night? Well, that boy of hers laid down on the couch (TV off, no less!) for about 30 minutes and draped his hand down to her neck. A little bit of heaven for both, I think.
Anyway, other than the doggy smell, it looks like we finally found a dog we might have a little family love affair with.
Over the course of the last couple of weeks, it's gotten quite intense. Dylan offered to pay for a dog. Anna did, too, in a separate conversation. She also asked for one for her sixth birthday. So, we've started to go to pet adoptions at local pet stores and other places, scouting for a dog. Last weekend, we even put in an application on one that I sort of liked, but was concerned might be TOO mellow for us.
But also last weekend, we saw "JuJu" (Cookie's former name) for the first time at our local animal shelter. She was a gorgeous and fun seven-month-old puppy, but high energy. Obviously intelligent, though. And the staff and volunteers loved her, telling us several times that she was "the best family dog in the place." We all really liked her, but I had reservations, so we walked away.
Then on Friday, Ami and the kids went back to the shelter, and found two more dogs. We went back as a family yesterday to check them out. One was gone, and the other was just too afraid of everything (doors, leashes, Anna, the flag pole at the shelter...EVERYTHING). But as I was getting ready to leave, another volunteer stopped me and said "if you're looking for a family dog, I can show you the best one in the place." I said fine, thinking she'd show me a dog we hadn't considered. But instead, she marched me straight to JuJu. So I decided we'd give her another look.
Today, I'm kind of mad at myself for leaving her in that place for a week. It's very early, but she's been GREAT so far. Extremely well-mannered. She's learning fast--already mostly stopped jumping up on us and on the couches, and now knows how to get into my car, and where her seat is.
What's more, the kids are thrilled. We took a long walk around the neighborhood with Cookie this afternoon, and Dylan held the leash the whole way. She only really pulled when we went past yards with barking dogs. She's ready to play any time anybody else is. And any time anybody stands up in the house, she does too...knowing you might be getting ready to play with her or do something interesting.
As for Cookie herself, I think she mostly likes it here. She's not too thrilled about being caged at night, but she didn't bark or cry last night at all. She LOVES our boy, and I suspect the feeling is mutual ("she's a great dog, isn't she Dad?" was the last thing he said to me before bed last night). She's a little frustrated that the cats won't play, but I think she'll adjust. She likes the chew toys and the reward snacks. And when she got tired and fell asleep on the floor next to the couch last night? Well, that boy of hers laid down on the couch (TV off, no less!) for about 30 minutes and draped his hand down to her neck. A little bit of heaven for both, I think.
Anyway, other than the doggy smell, it looks like we finally found a dog we might have a little family love affair with.
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