Tuesday, April 6, 2010

A New Addition

Last Thursday Bradley, my fiancee, and I visited Animal Haven Shelter just to look at the dogs. A black and white pit mix puppy caught my eye and brought to mind an array of great memories I've had with some adorable pits...Sam, Sailor, Ramona, Brooklyn, Ampersand, Lola...

I've been wanting a pit ever since I started my dog training career over 5 years ago. I first familiarized myself with these dogs at the animal shelter where I got most of my hands on experience. Lovely, smart, strong, active dogs. In the back of my mind, I guess I've always been on the look out for a good match and waiting for the right moment.

I asked to see him and spent some time interacting with him. I liked the behaviors I saw and he felt right, but I needed to discuss this decision with Bradley. Raising a puppy is serious business not to be taken lightly or to do on a whim. This 15lb high energy type puppy will grow up, he'll live a good 10 years plus. I'm getting married in the fall, in the next few years there may be kids, and I already have 3 cats and two dogs. If I was going to adopt this puppy I wanted to be sure we were both on the same page.

Bradley and I talked about it and decided the right moment was now and he would integrate well with Giz and the crew.

We went home, puppy proofed the apartment and stocked up on some supplies. We picked him up on Friday afternoon and named him Harley Wagalot.


On Sunday night I was beat. Raising a puppy requires time, patience, and lots of work. Don't take me wrong, I knew this going in, but on Sunday I took it all in and then smiled. Yes, its a lot of work, but I have my "tools". The extra time I invest in teaching Harley everything I want him to learn will payoff tenfold in the future. I know if I follow my same advice I give my clients we'll be okay.

1 comment:

vivayoda said...

Congrats on your new pup! He's a sweetie-he took it all in stride when Penny, the yellow mutt, nipped him on the muzz yesterday upon meeting him. Good sign!
Thanks for the Kong ideas...always looking for ways to keep Bubba occupied and entertained. You're an inspiration!