get a dog

My life will never be the same again. And that’s a good thing. I brought my new puppy home yesterday. He’s an eight week old Golden Retriever. His name is Rookie and he is just the sweetest thing. He’s a little ball of fluff. Hooray!! Now the housebreaking begins!

My new puppy is coming home on Saturday. And it’s looking like the breeder will have a boy available which was my first choice. I would certainly be fine with a girl, but I was happy they have a boy available.

Just got a call back from the breeder. I will be getting a golden retriever in mid May!!!! The puppies are currently 4-5 weeks old and will be ready to go home at 9 weeks. Plenty of time to finish puppy-proofing the house.

I’m beside myself I’m so excited. I get to go meet the dogs in a couple of weeks. I’ll be getting a girl. Can’t wait to meet her.

Well, I’m another step closer. I’ve contacted the breeder and we’re at the stage of trading voice mails. I’m hoping to talk to her this week. They may have puppies available! I’m getting pretty excited.

Okay, I admit it. I’m a commitmentphobe. I’m having a hard time taking that last step and actually getting a dog. I’m ready, I’ve started dog-proofing the house. I have identified a dog walker who can come over and walk the dog on the one day a week when I’m in the office. I’ve identified a vet. I’ve found a breeder that has puppies available, I’m doing lots of things that are moving me forward. But I just can’t seem to pull the trigger and actually GET THE DOG. I’m looking forward to having a dog, it’s just that whole commitment thing that’s slowing me down. It’s a 10-12 year commitment. I really can’t see myself regretting this decision once I actually get the dog, but why is that last step so hard?

I haven’t changed my mind about getting a dog, but the degree to which my life will change is hitting me lately. I was making plans for a trip down to Baltimore in May to catch a baseball game and I realized… I’ll have a dog by then and will have to figure out who is going to take care of him while I’m gone. I have to get used to thinking about something besides myself. I’m not a selfish person, I’m just used to doing pretty much whatever I want whenever I want to without too much planning. Life is going to change!

And this is just a dog. I’m putting off thinking about how much my life will change with foster kids. One thing at a time.

I can’t stop thinking about getting a dog! I’m so excited that the changes in my life will finally allow me to do this. I’m definitely leaning towards a Golden Retriever because they are so good with kids. I think their warm personality will make dealing with all the shedding and hair worthwhile.

First step… choose a dog breed so that I know what I’m looking for when I’m ready to get a dog.

It has to be:
- medium-sized
- friendly with kids
- not too much of a dog smell
- not too much of a chewer

So far I kind of like:
- Brittany Spaniel
- Collie
- Labradoodle
- Golden Retriever