pet connection

My husband is working in Pleasanton this week, so we loaded up the Outback with dogs, dog paraphernalia, and everything the two of us needed for work and headed north. Our plan was to pick up our new puppy on Sunday and then all of us would stay in a hotel for the week. That would be neutral territory where the dogs could get to know each other.

We drove to Los Altos still not knowing which puppy would leave with us. After a couple of hours of lying on the floor and letting Yellow and Green crawl on us, nibble our ears and chew on our hair, carrying them around, and just watching them, we were still undecided. It’s difficult to make a decision when your choice lies between two equally nice puppies. So we went out to dinner with Jim and Joanne and let our thoughts percolate for a while.

Green, who now goes by the name Harper, came home with us. She seemed just a tiny bit bolder than Yellow. There was a little crying in the crate as we pulled out of the driveway and headed for our hotel in Pleasanton, but that soon subsided. Harper was clearly bewildered by her new circumstances, but as I write this tonight, she seems to have adjusted. Bella and Twyla, not so much.

Bella ignores the puppy who follows her everywhere, probably because Bella resembles her mama. Twyla gives a low warning growl if Harper gets too close and is spending her time sulking in her crate after stalking away from Harper’s play bows. The only time they all come together nicely is when I pull out the clicker and treats and put everyone through their paces. Twyla shows off her spin and roll over, Bella perfects her down, and Harper practices coming, sitting, and standing on her hind legs.

As far as meals, Harper’s not clear on the concept of eating from a bowl so I tried a plate and then the floor. I toss pieces of kibble and she eats them one by one. For now, I just want to make sure she eats; we’ll practice using dishes after we get home.

Ooh, breakthrough! Twyla has just jumped up onto the sofa while Harper is there, without any coaxing or cajoling on my part. Harper’s watching her with interest but not making any move to go toward her. Smart puppy. She’s been great today about staying up on the sofa with the big girls while I work. She’s right in my line of sight so I can make sure she’s not chewing on anything (she particularly likes the fasteners on my Keen sandals) or otherwise getting into trouble. And she uses a litter box, for which I was most grateful in the middle of last night when I heard her whining in her crate. A quick trip to the bathroom to plop her into the box was way better than putting on a coat over my pajamas, fumbling around for the card key, carrying her downstairs and trying to get her to potty outside!

Twyla has curled up with the moose-shaped hot water bottle I brought for Harper. I’m glad it’s comforting one of them.

Right now Harper seems too calm and well behaved for a 14-week-old puppy, but we’re looking forward to watching her true puppy nature emerge over the coming days and weeks.

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