Our vet/friend said this when we took our English Bulldog puppy in for her ten-week shots, "What have you done!" followed up immediately by taking the pup into her arms and saying, "How cute!' We agree on both counts. The puppy's name is Ruthie, and she is my 78th birthday gift. And she is a load, true to her breed.
My long-suffering wife, Lisa, said, "We were thinking she'll keep us young," to which our vet-friend replied, "Or push you over the precipice!" It's not normal for people our age to take on a very young puppy. The responsibilities are similar to having a baby in the house - getting up in the middle of the night to tend to needs. For Ruthie, that means one of us yawning/muttering/stumbling around and putting on shoes and taking her out in the dark until she performs, then tucking her back in her cushy crate (For the record, we did not take our daughters outside in the middle of the night when they were babies). Of course, eternal vigilance is needed through the house training of a very young puppy.
Another question for us: How would our current pit-mix therapy dog, Odie, respond to the newcomer? We were pretty sure his basic sweet nature would welcome Ruthie, and he has. Watching the ten-pounder roughhouse with the ninety-pounder is hilarious entertainment.
For a few days there at first, we felt ourselves being drawn to the precipice, and tottering. But we've edged a bit back now, and it continues to get better. Stay tuned for more reports and photos. Life is not boring at the cozy Carenen cottage. Come see!
