Fur Dad

[mrdreamjeans]

Prior to 2018, I’d never had a pet of my own. I grew up with our family having dogs, barn cats and horses, but not one animal for which I was completely responsible. That status changed in 2018 when Georgie came into my life. My beloved Georgie was with me just 2.5 years; towards the end, he was deaf and blind and his needs were special and many. 

 
I had people in my life who said I would never have a dog; they said I wouldn’t be able to deal with the mess - the constant shedding, (Georgie as a Cavie shed constantly and copiously) or with his chronic diarrhea. But, I did. If he had an accident; I cleaned it up. When he destroyed my kitchen rug, I got a new rug. Sleeping in became a thing of the past. I became a morning person because Georgie’s toileting needs weren’t going to go away; I adjusted.

 Georgie died 8 months ago and it broke my heart. After a few months, I realized how much I missed being responsible for another life. Having a dog meant having a schedule, meant having continuity and purpose beyond myself every single day.  Georgie, as an old dude, was content to sleep 20 out of 24 hours a day. When I adopted Georgie, I owned a house with a backyard. I just let him out the backdoor to do his duty. I moved to the community I live in May of 2019; the daily schedule changed to walks on leash. Georgie adjusted; I adjusted.

Then came Arabella, "Bella" ... As a much younger dog, the challenges with Bella are different. She doesn’t shed; she’s healthier and quirky. As a puppy mill survivor, she is wary, often frightened of many things. For instance, Bella doesn’t like her feet to be touched, a puppy mill behavior I’m told. But, she’s responded well to routine and positive reinforcement. It took a week to housebreak Bella ... two more weeks to leash train her. (She’s a smart five year old!). She makes mistakes when her routine is disrupted; I just clean up the mistakes.

We begin each day about 6:30am with a walk and “potty time”. This morning we walked in a thunderstorm. We got soaked. I saw a couple of my neighbors just as I was exiting the building. They asked me why I didn’t have an umbrella. Have you ever tried to juggle opening and closing an umbrella with a dog on a leash and then try to open a poop bag when the time comes? For me, the answer is just enjoy the rain. You dry out eventually. 

 I take Bella with me when I can; but there are times she must be crated (a crate is her safe place). I take her to work with me and most times no one knows she’s with me. She is a stoic little girl. Bella likes to be cuddled and I am happy she loves being held by some of my neighbors. She likes the other dogs in the building, but doesn’t know how to play; she also isn’t interested in treats or toys. Her personality is emerging; when we’re alone she zooms around the apartment. Bella counts on me and I love that feeling of trust. Whatever Bella needs, I provide. We’re a team. Who knew during this stage of my life I’d have a dog. I’m a better man, a better person, because of it. I'm a fur dad!

Comments

[mellowtigger]

I'm glad it's working out for the both of you. (And it's good that Bella likes the crate. My Dominic hated it and one time injured himself trying to get out. It took 2 months for his face to fully heal.)

[mrdreamjeans]

In the past two days, I've experimented with leaving Bella's crate open at night. Both times, I've awakened to discover her in her cushy bed at the end of my bed.

Also, I have been putting her leash down after we get off the elevator on my floor (5th). I've said, "Let's go home Bella" and she trots along by my side down the long hallway. I open the door and she goes right into the apartment. It's obvious she now understand what and where "home" is!

Pet parenthood

[osodecanela]

Arjuna is now quite elderly, 13 in 2 weeks, very geriatric for a large canine. I am now cooking for him twice daily as he would rather go hungry than eat dog food. He is often too unsteady to manage things like stairs any longer, but he’s generally comfortable and given almost 13 years of unconditional love, my husband and I will do what we can to keep him happy and healthy. We’re cognizant it’s not much more time for him, but we will make it the best we can for him.

The girls (Lilith & Eve) are almost 2 1/2 now and dote on him as an Alpha granddad.

Re: Pet parenthood

[mrdreamjeans]

Arjuna is a very lucky dog. To be so loved and so well cared for ... I lost Georgie at 14, but he was already 11 and unfirm when I adopted him. His death impacted me greatly. I've come to understand losing a beloved pet is indeed like losing a family member.