It's been a century since I posted last. Well, at least it feels that long. I'm probably not going to give any back stories ... just move forward because who wants to read about an entire year that is missing???
Last week we started what I thought was dog sitting for some friends while they went on the Stake Pioneer Trek as Ma & Pa in a family. The husband brought over Daisy and I started to ask questions about how to care for her. His response surprised me the most when he said, "We took a few obedience classes at PetSmart and they really were for us more than her. I would suggest you do the same."
Later I talked to Jon and found out that we were actually dog sitting as a trial period prior to possibly KEEPING Daisy!
Sneaky, sneaky Jon.
If there is anyone who knows me well, they know I am NOT a dog person. I still remember the day when I was younger and sitting in my living room when the front door was opened and a huge dog (probably the same size as Daisy actually, but I was little) came bounding through the door. I jumped onto the piano bench and then rebounded to the stairs and ran up the stairs, all while everyone was trying to get the dog to not follow me.
And then there was the time when I was delivering newspapers, and a dog started chasing me across the yard. I remember hitting it on the head with the newspaper and sprinting toward the van with my life flashing before my eyes.
A few years later a couple moved in across the street and they had a male poodle. After a while I got used to visiting over there and hanging out at their house, and I got used to their dog because they were cognizant of my fear and they tried to keep him from jumping on me and chasing me. Except for the one time when I walked in their house and their poodle jumped up and started to hump my leg ... literally ... I walked away with a wet spot on my pants.
Needless to say, my experiences with dogs (especially big ones) have not been the most edifying or supportive of my becoming a dog owner.
Jon was fully aware of this, which is why (I believe) he tried to keep me in the dark for as long as possible. Sure, we'd talked about getting a dog ... eventually. Like, when all of our children are teenagers and can take care of the dog themselves, right?
However, the youth and adults came home from trek last Saturday, and guess who is still here hanging out??? Yep. Daisy. Five-months-old-Daisy. What we think is a cross between a Rottweiler-and-German-Shepherd-Daisy. Future-big-dog-Daisy. (Aaaaahhhhhh!)
She is a really pretty dog, and she has become completely attached to Kate. When Kate goes upstairs, Daisy will sit at the end of the stairs and whine for her. And, she's slowly learning the ropes around here, like the fact that she has to sleep outside, and stay downstairs. She still tests us and pushes the limits, but she doesn't really bark or yip or anything, which is something that Jon required in a dog. Even Maryanne, who has always screamed bloody murder when around a dog of any size, has warmed up to her and will play with her.
So, maybe she's staying? I'm still the hardest sell ... and she's breaking me down slowly. Especially when she lies down and looks at me with those cute little wrinkles in her forehead.
Last week we started what I thought was dog sitting for some friends while they went on the Stake Pioneer Trek as Ma & Pa in a family. The husband brought over Daisy and I started to ask questions about how to care for her. His response surprised me the most when he said, "We took a few obedience classes at PetSmart and they really were for us more than her. I would suggest you do the same."
Later I talked to Jon and found out that we were actually dog sitting as a trial period prior to possibly KEEPING Daisy!
Sneaky, sneaky Jon.
If there is anyone who knows me well, they know I am NOT a dog person. I still remember the day when I was younger and sitting in my living room when the front door was opened and a huge dog (probably the same size as Daisy actually, but I was little) came bounding through the door. I jumped onto the piano bench and then rebounded to the stairs and ran up the stairs, all while everyone was trying to get the dog to not follow me.
And then there was the time when I was delivering newspapers, and a dog started chasing me across the yard. I remember hitting it on the head with the newspaper and sprinting toward the van with my life flashing before my eyes.
Needless to say, my experiences with dogs (especially big ones) have not been the most edifying or supportive of my becoming a dog owner.
Jon was fully aware of this, which is why (I believe) he tried to keep me in the dark for as long as possible. Sure, we'd talked about getting a dog ... eventually. Like, when all of our children are teenagers and can take care of the dog themselves, right?
However, the youth and adults came home from trek last Saturday, and guess who is still here hanging out??? Yep. Daisy. Five-months-old-Daisy. What we think is a cross between a Rottweiler-and-German-Shepherd-Daisy. Future-big-dog-Daisy. (Aaaaahhhhhh!)
She is a really pretty dog, and she has become completely attached to Kate. When Kate goes upstairs, Daisy will sit at the end of the stairs and whine for her. And, she's slowly learning the ropes around here, like the fact that she has to sleep outside, and stay downstairs. She still tests us and pushes the limits, but she doesn't really bark or yip or anything, which is something that Jon required in a dog. Even Maryanne, who has always screamed bloody murder when around a dog of any size, has warmed up to her and will play with her.
So, maybe she's staying? I'm still the hardest sell ... and she's breaking me down slowly. Especially when she lies down and looks at me with those cute little wrinkles in her forehead.
Comments
Anyway, Daisy sounds like a sweet dog. Perhaps your timidity around her will keep her from being rough and wild, you know? Some dogs are pretty perceptive... :)