Shredding Paper

It's simple. Charlotte likes all kinds of paper. She will go out of her way to grab kleenex or paper towels. When I haven't seen her in a few minutes and the house is a little too quiet...this is usually what I find.



The Evidence





The Culprit



Shredding Kleenex



Doesn't Care that She's Caught



Fuzzy, Fuzzy Buns

Taking Charlotte to the groomer for the first time was a huge milestone for both of us. One of my friends interviews groomers before taking her Yorkie. She makes sure they understand her breed of dog, how to cut the hair of a small dog and even if they will express his anal gland. (eeewwwww!) If her groomer passes that test, then she is good enough for Charlotte.



Overtaken by Fur



I took Charlotte to meet Carla. Carla immediately fell in love with her. They got to know each other and I admired the two pups hanging out waiting for their moms. They were all cute, fluffy and clean. I left Charlotte and went to lunch.

Two hours later I got a call from Carla to come pick up Charlotte. Anxiously, I asked her how it went.

"Oh, she's such a good girl! I can tell you've been working with her." Wow, really? Maybe all of the training I was doing was actually making a difference.



Cute and Clean



I walked into the groomer's room to pick up my little girl and I barely recognized her. I could actually see her eyes. She looked like a little lady. She was even more beautiful and looked less puppy.

On the drive home she poked her head out the window and looked so happy. Then she peed on Barry's lap. Still a puppy afterall.



A letter to my Pup

Dear Charlotte,



Riding Together



When I saw your sweet little face for the first time I knew I was going to adopt you. I made Barry bring cash with us on our visit because the thought of not having the chance to take you home that day was already heartbreaking to me. You were so cute and tiny playing with your parents that evening. I didn't even flinch when your breeder told me your nickname was "Killer". I laugh about it now because I knew nothing about dogs, much less puppies. I didn't know I'd be up in the middle of the night taking you to the bathroom. I didn't know of your capcity to cry for two hours straight in your kennel. On day four, when we'd had a particularly hard night, I sat on the couch with you crying because I thought Barry would take you back. But he said to me, "When have we ever given up on anything?" I sat there all red eyed and snot-nosed and said, "Never. We've never given up on anything." Then I determined in my heart that no matter how hard it got or how much sleep I lost, I wouldn't freak out on you or take you back. You found a place deep in my heart and curled up in there. You like to burrow, so it's not surprising.



Riding in the Car





On her LoveSac thone



And then something amazing happened. Taking care of you became second nature. I can't remember not having you. I vaguely remember the quiet. You fit into my life. We play and walk a lot. You're not the greatest cuddler except when we're in the car and you lay in my lap. You're finicky when it comes to chews and treats. Sometimes you like it, other times you hide it and bring it out later. But you love to be around us, even if it's in the same room. I laugh when you lick my toes and I'm trying to teach you how to do eskimo kisses. You never come when I call you. In fact, you literally lay down and stretch your whole body out as if to say, "You come to me." But I love your little personality that needs to talk to me when I give you a command. I guess you're a little stubborn like me too. You love Barry and cry when he leaves the room. Yesterday you slept in front of the door while he napped on the other side. I don't blame you, I like to be around him as much as possible. You may be a dog, but you're my dog and a part of the family. I hope one day you'll be able to share us, but for now it's the three of us and it's perfect.



Love,

J



Asleep in her favorite corner



 







Bunny Dog in the Forest

Charlotte looks like a white rabbit when she runs full force. It is an understatement to say that I'm freaked out by the thought that my little white pup will be attacked by a forest predator. We have fox, coyote, the occasional bear and hawks. I think this clip from The Proposal sums up my fear. 




Kevin got off easy!

There is also a rumored story that over 50 dog collars were found in an eagles nest. Can an eagle carry off a six pound pup? Maybe my friend Cheryl, who is also an eagle expert, will weigh in on this and ease my fears.

Have you ever lost your dog? How do you keep the little ones safe?

Nightmare Dog?

Charlotte learning to sit

Training Charlotte to pee and poop outside, or as it's officially called "eliminate", seemed like the most daunting challenge. How was I supposed to get a dog to tell me she had to go to the bathroom?

I spent the first weekend trying to anticipate her every move, analyze every squat and spraying A LOT of Nature's Miracle on the carpet. Charlotte's bladder must be the size of a grape! Maybe smaller. I knew I had to get this potty training thing down...fast!

I went to PetSmart to buy a pee pad and ended up talking to one of the employees. After getting some advice, I enrolled Charlotte into Puppy Training School. I knew about puppy training from my friend, Hillary, who took her dog Colt. After he was trained I heard her sternly yell "Leave it" many times. I vaguely knew what that meant and wanted to learn more. I can't have a "nightmare dog!" This term was how I got my husband on board with this six week course. Operation "No Nightmare Dog" was about to begin.

Disclaimer: I don't work for PetSmart. I'm sure other places train dogs well. Don't take my advice. Seek the advice of a professional. :)

We walked into Puppy School on that first night with no idea what to expect. We were met by five other families. I only know them by the names of their dogs because that's what happens. There was Gibs, a huge wolf-like dog with a bit of a temper who tried to attack every dog that walked by. Charlotte looked like a tiny bunny compared to his immense size. If he hadn't been on a leash she would have been dinner. Rio, a little black mutt with matted hair and a lot of energy. He was only a couple pounds bigger than my pup and the best opportunity for a playmate. Katie, a lethargic English Bulldog who was just flown in from another location. She slept through that first class and gained about 10 pounds every week. Lilly, a carmel colored Boxer with a sweet face, wore a pink diamond studded collar. Mello, a sweet natured mutt who lives up to her name. I found myself wishing Charlotte had her disposition. And Charlotte, the smallest of the bunch. They looked like some rag tag group of canines ready to play an unconventional gang in a hollywood movie where they befriend an orphan.

Our first order of business was...Get your puppy to learn her name. What?! That's not why I came here! How do I potty train? How do I get her to sleep through the night?

But if Charlotte didn't know her name I wouldn't be able to teach her anything. We had to start at the very beginning. I would say her name and give her a treat every time she looked at me.

The other bit of wisdom that has stayed with me: Your will has to be stronger than her will. This consistency thing was going to kill me if I didn't embrace it. It was time for me to grow up and take care of this pup.

Have you ever had a nightmare dog? Tell me about it.

First Time Dog Owner

I'd really like to get you a puppy for your birthday.

Really?

My sweet husband of almost nine years said this to me after many years of thinking of all the reasons NOT to get a dog. I started looking for my pup right away. Two day days later I came across an ad for a Maltese puppy. I was sent this picture via text.




Baby Charlotte



How could I not visit this sweet baby girl? I knew I would take this tiny two pound bundle of cuteness home. Thus began our adventures in raising Charlotte, the sweet pup that has changed my life.

This blog is dedicated to my family. For the next year I will share about Charlotte and new beginnings. I hope you will join me.