Saturday, October 17, 2009

The Dog Days of Motherhood

So, I've been thinking. We have the boys. We have the girls. And then we have Gunnar. Since my comparison of my family is to that of a sports game of sorts (see blog title), what does that make my adorable Australian Cattle Dog?

I think the streaker that runs across the field at an inappropriate time is what he would be.

Gunnar came to us this spring, on Cinco de Mayo. A farm dog from Mississippi, he flew into T.F. Green airport via Delta, and we fell in love with him at once. And it's a good thing we love him, because he is FULL of challenges.

Let's start with the house breaking. That was challenging, but that was the easy part! Not too unlike potty training. You know, just when it seems like you are going to be cleaning up bodily fluids for the rest of your life, all of a sudden it "clicks", and you look back and say, "That wasn't so bad!"

Chewing! Chewing is a different story. I try to keep him supplied with rawhide and chew toys, but there's always going to be something he wants more. I have learned to hide the shoes. But, to date, we have lost a pair of flip flops, my glasses, a futon cover, and a chair leg, amongst other things. He hasn't eaten any of the children yet, which is good, but he has eaten a couple of poopy diapers which is the main reason I don't let him kiss me anymore. He is now half-and-half with the puppy teeth to grown-up teeth, so I'm hoping this teething thing ends soon.

Dori is not Gunnar's biggest fan. You would never know this if you saw her sleeping on him, but when they are both awake, it's a true brother-sister rivalry with them. This is good for Logan, as it takes the heat off of him. Gunnar has absolutely no control over himself when it comes to stealing Dori's toys. He also knocks her over trying to kiss her, and tries to steal food from her. I try not to laugh, but it's kind of comical watching her get mad and yell "Gunnar!!!".

If Gunnar was a human, he would be Logan. They are exactly, EXACTLY the same. I sometimes even mix up their names. They have the same personality, and the same purpose: to make everyone else crazy. Neither one is happy unless they are causing trouble.

Gunnar is still a puppy, and we got him at 10 weeks old. Have I mentioned this is our first dog? I have no idea what I'm doing. And I have to do it while raising 4 human puppies. Nuts! In my puppy search, I found a nice 2-year-old ACD up in Maine, named Blue. Blue was house broken. Blue had basic training. Blue was what I'd like to call a Certified Pre-Owned Dog. Easy. But nooooo...Pieman HAD to "raise a dog of our own from puppyhood!" Which is easy to do while you are at work all day and your wife does it! Bull crap!
But I wouldn't have it any other way.