{"id":1747,"date":"2019-02-18T16:00:24","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T21:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.smokymountaindoodles.com\/?p=1747"},"modified":"2019-02-18T16:03:39","modified_gmt":"2019-02-18T21:03:39","slug":"7-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-i-got-the-puppy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smokymountaindoodles.com\/?p=1747","title":{"rendered":"7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got the Puppy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Jen Elizabeth and borrowed from her online journal:\u00a0https:\/\/jenelizabethsjournals.com\/<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The day Chris and I picked up puppy Calvin (he was 8 weeks old\u00a0and weighed in at a heartbreakingly miniature 4 pounds), we felt prepared.<\/p>\n

We\u2019d had our yard completely fenced in. We\u2019d bought the dog food, the crate, the chew toys. \u00a0We thought we\u2019d thought of everything.<\/p>\n

About one week in, we realized there was a lot we hadn\u2019t considered.<\/p>\n

Now that Calvin is eight months, I thought some readers may appreciate learning from some of the little surprises Calvin has thrown our way:<\/p>\n

1.)\u00a0You\u2019ll<\/em>\u00a0Be The Shadow<\/strong><\/p>\n

I thought it was the\u00a0puppy<\/em>\u00a0that was\u00a0the loyal shadow, trotting faithfully at your feet as you move from room to room.<\/p>\n

Doesn\u2019t quite work that way.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why: during the course of the two minutes you turn your attention to making a phone call or fixing a snack, your puppy has time to knock over a houseplant, rip a pillow to pieces,\u00a0and<\/em>have an accident in the hallway.<\/p>\n

Until puppy is fully housebroken (which can take several weeks, by the way) count on becoming\u00a0his<\/em>\u00a024\/7 devoted shadow.<\/p>\n

2.)<\/strong>\u00a0You\u2019ll Be Gifted With Plenty of Fresh Air<\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n

If you spend the majority of your day glued to one type of screen or another, be prepared for a minor life change when you get a puppy. \u00a0Because in addition to 20+ outdoor trips per day during housebreaking, puppy has a few hours worth of boundless energy to burn daily.<\/p>\n

This is actually wonderful when the puppy is your reason for getting outside for a walk on beautiful, crisp, early fall afternoon.<\/p>\n

Not so great when it\u2019s 10:30 pm, cold, raining, and you\u2019re just waiting for him to go to the bathroom\u00a0please<\/em>\u00a0so everyone can go to bed.<\/p>\n

3.) \u2026As Well As Plenty of Guilt<\/strong><\/p>\n

I no longer remember the feeling of stepping outside my door without a slight pang of guilt.<\/p>\n

Because a sweet puppy with sad puppy dog eyes is clearly not happy to be left behind.<\/p>\n

Chris and I used to stay in the city for dinner after work once in a while.<\/p>\n

Those days are long gone.<\/p>\n

We now hurry home every day because we know Calvin has been cooped up inside and he needs company and time to get outside and play.<\/p>\n

4.) You\u2019ll Become A Vacuuming Pro<\/strong><\/p>\n

Take the time you currently spend cleaning and multiply that by 5 to anticipate your new life with a dog. \u00a0Because not only do they shed like crazy, they also have a knack for redistributing the dust and dirt from their paws and coat all over your floors and furniture.<\/p>\n

Accept that, along with your dog, your vacuum will be your\u00a0other<\/em>\u00a0new best friend.<\/p>\n

5.) You\u2019ll Spend a Small Fortune<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chris and I never intended to spend a small fortune on a dog, but it definitely happened to us.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how: toys, replacement toys for the ones he chewed apart, and replacement toys for those too, vet bills, obedience classes, dog bed, second dog bed to replace the one he chewed, dog walker for days we\u2019re at work, fence to keep him in the yard, baby gates to keep him out of the living and dining rooms, dog groomer to trim his nails\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026and that\u2019s just part of the list. \u00a0It all adds up very quickly.<\/p>\n

6.) You\u2019ll Laugh Out Loud \u2013 Often<\/strong><\/p>\n

A typical evening scene in our rec room these days: Calvin becomes overtired and, instead of laying down for a nap, he \u201csnaps\u201d and starts sprinting around the living room at full tilt, literally bouncing off the back of the couch, ears pressed flat out behind him with the speed.<\/p>\n

The show he puts on is more entertaining than anything on TV.<\/p>\n

The other day, he grabbed a shoe box and went prancing off, head in the air like he\u2019d just been crowned king. \u00a0Then the box flapped up, covering his eyes, causing him to stumble, almost fall, and careen full-speed into the couch (he was okay).<\/p>\n

If you need more laughter in your life, I\u2019m convinced a puppy is your best cure.<\/p>\n

Because Calvin\u2019s antics have kept Chris and I cracking up daily since the day we brought him home.<\/p>\n

7.) You\u2019ll Realize You\u2019d Do It All Over Again<\/strong><\/p>\n

I may be exhausted from a day of cleaning (please see #4 above) and in need of a shower from an afternoon of throwing tennis balls and sticks (see #2).<\/p>\n

And then Calvin will look up at me with his big beautiful eyes and I\u2019ll scoop him up and feel his little\u00a0heartbeat, his soft warm ears tickling my face.<\/p>\n

And I remember that there\u2019s not much better than the feeling of your heart completely melting.<\/p>\n

Would I do it all over again if I knew everything then that I know now?<\/p>\n

No question.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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