Last Tuesday evening, we did sort of a crazy thing. We brought home a puppy. Mind you, this didn’t come out of the blue, at least not entirely. We’d been going back and forth about getting a dog for several months and we even had an assortment of the essentials such as the crate and toys. Even though we kept talking about it, however, I’m not sure we ever really took ourselves seriously. Or maybe it was just that we kept thinking that yes, we’re getting a dog, but it won’t be until some day far, far away from now.

We found Webster via an ad on craigslist. He was the last in his litter of German Shepherd / Black Lab mixed puppies and we certainly thought he was cute in the photo. We arranged to meet him and after a brief and awkward exchange in a Get Go parking lot, we agreed to take him.

The timing could have been better. By the time we stopped to pick up food and some odds and ends, it was well past the kids’ bedtime and getting home meant rushing to get them into pajamas, brush teeth, and plop them in bed. (Sounds easier than it is, trust me.) Add a terrified 9 week-old puppy to the mix and you’ve got a recipe for nighttime stress. He didn’t know us and we didn’t know him so we were all frazzled.

By the time Hubby and I were ready for bed, the puppy made it clear that he wasn’t going to settle down too easily. He cried, and cried, and cried some more. No sleep for us. This didn’t make facing Wednesday easy and after a repeat performance on Wednesday night, we were pretty much ready to throw in the towel on Thursday. Add to this, the discovery that our beloved new little furball was covered in fleas and a tick and although he seemed fairly good about going potty outside, he still had his accidents.

Thursday night, however, something clicked. Instead of trying to “ignore” the whining and crying in the crate at bedtime, Hubby firmly told him to be quiet – and he did. The puppy was quiet! We slept! Friday felt like a brand new start to life! A trip to the vet that afternoon sorted out the flea problem and gave him a clean bill of health otherwise. We finally gave him a name on Saturday morning. (Took us long enough, I know.) His name is Webster. Yes, as in dictionary.

Now that Webester has been a part of our family for nearly a week, we’re starting to get to know one another. Since he was born on the 18th of April, this makes him an Aries, like me, so I keep looking for traits that we may have in common. Will he be adventurous and full of energy and enthusiasm? I hope so! Will he be quick-tempered and impatient? Hmmm…  It’s hard to imagine. Right now he is busy doing battle with the lawn furniture.

Whatever adventures or disasters await, I’m certain with Webster in our lives, there will never be a dull day.

Do you have pets? Care to share any humorous, or heart-warming pet stories? Have advice for settling in with our new puppy? I’m all ears and wagging tail to hear it. 🙂