Oh, and we got a puppy (a year ago)
Ever since we got married I've been telling Obie that we had to get a dog before we had a baby. (Even before we knew how hard it would be to get pregnant.) I've always wanted a golden retriever, but Obie wanted a smaller dog so that it could live inside the house with us.
Shortly before our 6th anniversary, I finally convinced him to let me start looking for a dog. He was really reluctant and didn't realize I was serious until I cried because I missed out on a "Short Golden" at the local animal shelter. Luckily, another one came along within a couple of months. Obie also said that I wasn't allowed to get a dog that was over 6 years old, and really would prefer that we get a puppy. I said I didn't have the energy for a puppy, and that everybody wants puppies so I'd rather give a chance to an older dog.
As it turns out, we got both. Israel (the name he was given at the shelter) was no older than 9 months when we adopted him, and he almost drove us crazy. Apparently when you combine a Corgi with a Golden Retriever you get a stubborn bundle of endless energy who'll eat anything that fits in its mouth. Off to Obedience School he went, and even the trainer would sigh and say, "It's the breed..." at least once per session when he was going nuts, learning nothing, and distracting his classmates.
We chose not to move on to the Intermediate Level, and instead focused on teaching him "No!!" and "Sit" and "Stay," which he eventually learned.
Then, after about 3 months of puppy insanity inside our house, we turned our $100 puppy into a $4000 puppy by hiring a contractor to fence our back yard. It was probably the best thing we could have done for him. Now that he has a place to run around like a moron, he is a much better dog when he's inside the house.
Once we got him, I told Obie that now we could have a baby after 6 months of successfully having a puppy. And it freakin' happened. Israel doesn't know, but he will be a good big brother. He LOVES babies, lucky for us.
His first week home. He's grown a bit since then.
Looking like a majestic miniature Golden Retriever.
This face.......
THIS FACE. (This is the face he makes when he's confused about what we are doing.)
Here he is a few months later in the Halloween hat that he hated after about ten seconds.
That's about right.
Here he is, fully grown and freshly groomed. The background is filled with protective measures to prevent chewing and destruction.
Here he is in October for our pregnancy announcement. He really would be that happy, if only he knew that he had a "pet baby" on the way.
But really he just wanted to eat the bandanna.
And here's his pretty face a couple days ago, after running me around the neighborhood for the first time in a few months (because the first trimester was NOT good to me.) I was hoping he was done with the phase where he glomps up other dogs' turds, but he's not.
Shortly before our 6th anniversary, I finally convinced him to let me start looking for a dog. He was really reluctant and didn't realize I was serious until I cried because I missed out on a "Short Golden" at the local animal shelter. Luckily, another one came along within a couple of months. Obie also said that I wasn't allowed to get a dog that was over 6 years old, and really would prefer that we get a puppy. I said I didn't have the energy for a puppy, and that everybody wants puppies so I'd rather give a chance to an older dog.
As it turns out, we got both. Israel (the name he was given at the shelter) was no older than 9 months when we adopted him, and he almost drove us crazy. Apparently when you combine a Corgi with a Golden Retriever you get a stubborn bundle of endless energy who'll eat anything that fits in its mouth. Off to Obedience School he went, and even the trainer would sigh and say, "It's the breed..." at least once per session when he was going nuts, learning nothing, and distracting his classmates.
We chose not to move on to the Intermediate Level, and instead focused on teaching him "No!!" and "Sit" and "Stay," which he eventually learned.
Then, after about 3 months of puppy insanity inside our house, we turned our $100 puppy into a $4000 puppy by hiring a contractor to fence our back yard. It was probably the best thing we could have done for him. Now that he has a place to run around like a moron, he is a much better dog when he's inside the house.
Once we got him, I told Obie that now we could have a baby after 6 months of successfully having a puppy. And it freakin' happened. Israel doesn't know, but he will be a good big brother. He LOVES babies, lucky for us.
His first week home. He's grown a bit since then.
Looking like a majestic miniature Golden Retriever.
This face.......
THIS FACE. (This is the face he makes when he's confused about what we are doing.)
Here he is a few months later in the Halloween hat that he hated after about ten seconds.
That's about right.
Here he is, fully grown and freshly groomed. The background is filled with protective measures to prevent chewing and destruction.
Here he is in October for our pregnancy announcement. He really would be that happy, if only he knew that he had a "pet baby" on the way.
But really he just wanted to eat the bandanna.
And here's his pretty face a couple days ago, after running me around the neighborhood for the first time in a few months (because the first trimester was NOT good to me.) I was hoping he was done with the phase where he glomps up other dogs' turds, but he's not.