CONS
- My backyard is a mess. My grass is suffering big time. Dead spots everywhere. I worked hard to get that grass and a pretty back yard.
- I have holes dug in places that I wish weren't there.
- Flowers destroyed.
- My Crape Myrtle used to be a tree, now it's been chewed down to a bush.
- I get to pick up poop everyday. Yay!
- My sliding glass window (no matter how many times I clean it) is always dirty.
- My car windows have met the same fate.
- I had to cover up my furniture to prevent it from getting ruined.
- My budget (food) is shot to hell feeding her.
- I worry what she will ruin next.
- And worst of all, the guilt trips I feel when I don't take her out for a walk.
PROS
- So nice to come home to wriggling body, glad to see me.
- She's gotten me out of the house more.
- I don't feel so alone.
- I've learned to be creative in feeding her
- I love it when I see Tiah and my kitten sitting together, waiting for me to open the door.
- She's always glad to see me.
- Did I say that she's always glad to see me?
- She's pretty good company, even when she's arguing with me about what I want her to do and she's not agreeing with me.
- I love how she watches TV sometimes.
- She doesn't care what I watch. I have complete control of the TV remote.
So what do I do? I'm not gonna lose my dog, but I'm having a hard time living with all the other things. There has to be an answer. I just don't have any idea what it is.
10 comments:
i think a HUGE pro is taking hikes w/ her as often as you do. if nothing else, that helps you physically and mentally to get out and shake off the day. that's gotta count for at least 2 pros. :)
and i think she's a good deterrent for intruders (or will be as she gets larger).
the yard? eh. furniture? yeah, we have a designated dog couch, foldout and about a dozen beds for them. the house, sliding glass doors and windows are always a mess. but i wouldn't trade them for anything amount of fancy stuff or pretty yard.
LOL...You know I relate to all of this, even tho' Hiker is not as big as Tiah. Believe me, she will be worth all of the cons. I don't know what I would do without my sweet little girl.
Oh, Susan...wish I knew the magic words. I had a cat...or rather a cat had me. We found him while fishing...he was so sick. Cannot remember how many vet trips before he was well...he and I ended up on the same antibiotic at one point.
By the time I had to have him put to sleep, at 17 yrs of age, he had had literally a couple thousands of dollars in him...I cannot even remember what all for now.
When he was alive, he was my cat...he loved everyone, but I was his favorite. And I used to tell my husband I wouldn't take a $5,000 for him, but wondered if offered would I take $10,000....to which my husband would answer I would never have to worry about making that decision.
Then when he got dementia and I had to make that final decision, I realized I would not have taken a million dollars for him.
Things don't love you back....our pets do. Unconditionally.
and if she is anything like Otto(My daughter's dog), the destroying stuff will end. Now he still cannot control his excitement when seeing us....but he has not torn up anything in years, hasn't dug a hole since fairly young...and he was digging holes at one time. And I would bet money that he is more hard-headed than Tia. So there is a chance that a lot of this stuff will stop.
Well, she is still a puppy. Hard to believe looking at her but I say she's going to outgrow a lot of her troubles. I really believe that people need pets as much as they need us. You've invested so much love and time with her already I'd hate to see you give up. Hopefully, a good night's rest will make it easier to cope with this stage. Pretty much sounds like raising kids, doesn't it? ;)
I am thinking once that puppy stage is over with things will settle down. Perhaps she needs to go to "puppy school"?? :)
Good luck Susan!
xo Catherine
she loves you!
another pro is that she never asks for money, she doesn't talk back AND she loves you unconditionally!!
perhaps you need a doggy pen in the back yard, tiah's place, for her to do her business. since you walk her all the time, i think it would be fine to confine her for "business" things.
you love her, she loves you, you gotta make it work!!
just the companionship should count for more than one point!
The other commentors are so right that she will outgrow the chewing (fingers crossed). The hole digging? Let me tell you that I wouldn't be without a dog - not for long anyway. In the past 10 years I have had 3 dogs - 2 have died and now I have Buddy. They are so much company. I talk to Buddy all the time like he is a human (kinda wierd but living alone does that). He looks like he understands anyway. Give it time and be firm with Tia though. If I didn't have Buddy to go home too I would be miserable. Tia will get to the point that she wants to please you and I think she will.
Oh, and one more thing... they make collars that have metal prongs. I used it always on my shephard, and it is not cruel at all. She never gave me any indication that she was hurting, and it immediately limited her pulling me along when we walked. She nearly instantaneously learned to heel, and I had the control. Check them out at the pet store. A great obedience tool.
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