I had such a week recently, playing puppy-sitter to the cutest, most frustrating little black fuzzball ever!

I hope Kera doesn't think I was being disloyal to her memory! No sooner was she out of the house (We proudly shipped her off to Guide Dog School down in Florida in June) than the pitter patter of little puppy paws was scuffling through the apartment again.

If you need a clue as to what was going on, think: Waking up in the middle of the night to take a crying dog outside, seeing pee stains on the carpet created before your very eyes, and noticing new gnaw-marks on the kitchen chairs while you thought you were keeping a watchful eye on activities there! Yes, these are signs of a new puppy in the house! A little black goldador named "Carolina."

At 8 weeks old, Carolina was full of mischief! No sooner did we put her down on the carpet than she was off in a blur of black lightning: hurling herself toward the couch (climbing onto the seats, and later the backrest!), savaging any electrical cords, newspapers or toys lying between her and her food and water dishes. This dog was cute but crazy!

The other problem was, she had a bladder like a sieve. Water in, water out. Even though she did her best to "hold it" while she was in the crate, she could only last for about 3 hours during the day. In the evenings we started restricting water before bedtime so she could make it through the night with only one wake-up call.

While she was with us, I had to go back to refresh myself on my own puppy potty training tips as a reminder that puppies need to go outside more often than adult dogs, especially after meals and exercise. They also like to chew more - so pick up your floors and keep the lil' doggies crated!

This little experience was a great reminder to me (which I'm passing on to you) about how time consuming and frustrating taking care of little puppies can be. I once told a girl who was raising her first puppy: The reason God made them so cute when they're little is so you're willing to put up with them until they're old enough to behave themselves! Quite true in the case of Carolina.

I remember my first few weeks raising Kera, I wanted to give her back before she drove me insane: The accidents, the lack of ability to communicate with her, and the high-maintenance potty schedule were frustrating to say the least! If you are currently caring for a puppy, or planning on getting one, brace yourself and hold fast!

Remember that the baby-puppy stage is one of the most trying periods of doggie-parenthood. It ends quickly and you will get through it, hopefully with your sanity intact!

I met Carolina and her new mistress at a local sushi shop recently and, at 3 months, she was already big and beautiful, very calm, very quiet... completely unrecognizable from her 2-month old terror-on-wheels self.

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So, hang in there, and if you are low on time or patience, consider adopting an older puppy or adult dog! Also, please neuter your pets or you could have 8 little Carolina's running around and that's a big commitment! :)

Sincerely,

Emily Cressey

P.S. Don't let your pup be the only one on the block with out a spooktacular costume this Halloween! Order your Dog Halloween Costumes early to get the best selection!

Copyright, Emily Cressey. 2005

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