Nellie, our puppy, is getting both cuter and into more stuff as the days go by. I sure wish I had had children. I feel in the dark about so much of this training. Everyone keeps saying it’s like having a baby. Well, never having had a child is a drawback, I can assure you. But she and I are figuring it out. One No! at a time. One treat at a time.
Raising a puppy is kind of like getting sober, I have decided. You live in a place of doubt quite often. You think you are grasping the first step, and the next thing you know, you are trying to control the uncontrollable. In this case, Nellie. She is like my will when it is running roughshod over my “higher self.” I feel as out of control as Nellie is on occasion. Then I know it’s time to take a deep breath and pause. What I need to do next will become apparent.
One of the positives of having this puppy is that Joe and I are talking more about our lives. I don’t mean to imply we had poor communication before. We have always talked a lot. But it seems our communication now is more focused, more practical, even on a more spiritual plane. We have concluded that having a puppy late in life is a spiritual endeavor, one that is nurturing our spiritual journey. This is a plus that we had not counted on.
My belief that there are no accidents in life and that God is part of every circumstance, implies that God is very much a part of this addition to our lives too. This is an extremely interesting awareness, to both of us. Wherever you go, there you are and God is there too! I do wish God were supplying me with a better instruction book, however.
The ever-so-wise program slogans are coming into greater, and more practical use daily. Having Nellie “a day at a time,” is a helpful concept. “This too shall pass” is extremely helpful every time she “pees” in the house rather than outside, WHERE SHE JUST WAS!. ” Let Go and Let God” is a constant reminder that it’s not our only job in life to control her every move while she is in the puppy stage. In fact, it’s not possible. She is three months old. We are 76. Need I say more? haha
The one thing I know for sure: God does have a sense of humor. And keeping ours while Nellie is a puppy is mandatory. At least for the next year. I’ll keep you posted. If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears.
Karen, Sounds like you are doing just fine. They are a challenge though. I have read and watched many a Cesar Milan book and Dog Whisperer. He always talks about exercise, discipline, then affection last and how our energy has a lot to do with the dogs behaviour. Hang in there and keep us posted. : )
Thannks for checking in again, Roni. I am happy to say Nellie is settling in and we are adjusting. Her teeth are still sharp and she doesn’t walk well on a leash, but she and we are both much better than when I wrote earlier. I feel pretty confident now that we will get through this. Again, thanks for your positive support.
Karen