New Puppy: Day 60

We have survived 2 whole months!  Survived might be a bit dramatic, but there have been moments it feels like the correct phrase.  It's been 8 weeks of cleaning up carpets (and bedding, towels, chair coverings, ect.), constantly picking up toys, training, commands, bruises, little sleep, worrying about bring away from home for more than 6 hours, and the phrase 'no bark' on repeat. It's been 60 days of kisses, smiles, cuddles, and so much love.

Marco and I learned the best way to keep him out of his stitches after surgery was to wear a onsie.  Marco was not impressed, but he also didn't have another vet visit.  I have learned philodendrons have a mysterious draw to little puppies, but are not wholly poisonous (thank the creator).   We have learned strawberries are tasty (and hopefully he doesn't find the ones growing on the deck) but tomatoes are not (at least those plants are safe).  And Patrick has learned to play.

I think that's been the greatest gift.  Watching Patrick instigate a wrestling match, or let Marco chew on the other end of his bone, or tug at the other end of Inchy when Marco jumps up on the bed with the stuffed worm has been heartwarming.  Marco has allowed him to enjoy playing with another dog again and Patrick in turn is showing an incredible amount of patience towards his little brother.  They sleep almost touching on the bed.  Marco can jump up and plop down on part of Patrick's legs and he only looks at him now instead of huffing off.  The kisses are going both ways.

That's not to say we don't have our moments of jealousy.  Patrick is allowed to roam free during the day where Marco needs to be kenneled for his own safety.  When I get home I generally have a happy Patrick to greet me and I spend a few moments giving him some personal attention.  But when I go upstairs and open the crate, Patrick blocks Marco from jumping up to say hello to me.  When I'm cuddling with one of the couch, the other is not too happy they are being left out.  We are finding little ways we can spend a few moments of time together and I know the struggle will lessen.

Even with the downs and mostly ups, we are a happy family of three.  I couldn't have imagined how complete our home would feel adding our newest member, but it feels like it was fated.  We are one little healthy, happy pack!

New Puppy: Day 1

We are officially a family of three!

Marco was altered (such a nice way of putting 'had his testicles surgically removed') on Monday.  Little guy was a champ, I was a wreck.  When Patrick was neutered at 18 months, it did not go so well, so I was bracing for another long road to recovery filled with extra weeks in a collar, not wanting to eat, torn stitches, and lots of worry.  But his foster mom (my aunt) called and said everything went just fine.  He was home and she was trying her hardest to keep him calm, but all he wanted to do was play with his foster sisters (Bell 12 years, and Gabby 8 month).  He didn't seem to be in much pain.  He bounced back from the anesthesia undaunted.  But keeping him calm was going to be a challenge with his two sisters running around playing while he was in his kennel.  Maybe it would be best if I came and got him tomorrow.  He can be quiet at my house where Patrick ignores him when he's in his kennel.   So that was it.  I had spent weeks preparing for his arrival and now we were there.  I was excited and nervous.

After I got home form work yesterday, Patrick and I went for a walk, had dinner, and jumped in the car.  I pulled into the driveway and Marco went nuts with excitement.  Patrick spent a few minutes playing with Gabby and Bell before we loaded up the little guy and set off on our new adventure.

We made it home and the goal of the evening was to relax and spend some quality cuddle time on the couch.  With my aunt being Marco's foster mom, we had a chance to have a few sleep overs so the boys could get to know one another slowly.  We had spent some time cuddling on the couch before, but somehow last night was different.  Patrick senses this is different then the last time Marco was here.  I think he's figured out this is permanent this time.  He was far more clingy than normal.  I sat on the couch and he immediately jumped up and was in between my legs, as close as he could get.  Marco chewed on a bone on the floor for a while and then jumped up and joined us as well.  I was covered in puppies.  It was heaven.

Then we all went up to bed.  Again, we have done this before.  We all co-existed on the bed quite well the last few times Marco has stayed with us.  Last night was completely different.  Marco tried to creep closer to cuddle with Patrick and Patrick was less than thrilled.  Marco tried to get closer to me and Patrick stretched out to keep him off to the side.  Both boys played musical positions all night long until Patrick eventually stretched out along my side with his paws curled around my legs and I stretched a hand out so Marco could lay his head in it.  It was not a very restful night for any of us.  Marco was walking like he was half asleep.  Patrick didn't want to get out of the bed once Marco and I were out of it.  And I have been functioning on pure coffee all day.

It gets better.  I know it does.  They boys like to play.  Marco brings out a side of Patrick I haven't seen in a long time.  Patrick enjoys showing Marco up when I give a command.  There personalities are different and yet complimentary.  I can't wait for the day we are all settled into a routine.  For now it will be extra love to the oldest, and quiet time for the little one.  The next few weeks are going to be long.  I am not going to get much more sleep for a while.  But I have both boys to keep me going.  To make me laugh.  And we have each other to love.  What an adventure this will be!