As I've mentioned previously, we have had three Bullys. They were seven months, six months and two years old respectively when we got them. Full-sized dogs. Fully formed canine units. 70, 80, 90 pounds of hugable, lovable dog. Naturally, we decided to get a puppy.
What were we thinking?
We work. We've never raised a puppy before. Why didn't someone warn us?!?!
Ronald Reagan once described the Government as being like a baby's alimentary canal:
A happy appetite at one end, and no responsibility at the other.
This would also describe a puppy. Man, does it ever. Lola has proven to be the worlds most efficient processor of food into poop that man has ever envisioned. Is it even possible for more poop to come out than food went in? Can she actually multiply food into exponentially more poop? It seems she can.
OK, let's back up. How did we get here? The story goes something like this:
Again with the two-dog household. Long before we found out that Cocoa was sick, we had started thinking about adding to the pack. There was no rush, no panic decisions to be made. Cocoa was young and healthy and we had time. So much for the best laid plans of mice and men...
After we found out about Cocoa, we decided that later became now. Our initial experience with rescue had been completely positive so it was time to start making calls. I can't say this often enough or loudly enough...the volunteers associated with ABA Rescue are TOPS. We had concurrent conversations going with Ohio and Michigan rescue volunteers. The folks in Ohio had a beautiful adult girl looking for a forever home. The people in Michigan had a rescued mom and two little pups. We e-mailed. We looked at pictures. We watched video. We were completely torn. In the end, we thought that a puppy would be good for us. A new experience.
We made arrangements to drive up to Detroit to see the pups. The little boy pup had been spoken-for, but the little girl was still available. Lucky us, we like the girls. The Momma was skinny and weakened by her experience, but what a face. She was on her way to her forever home but what a good job she had done keeping her two little ones alive and healthy. The little boy was going to his new home too. He was a little small, always following big sister, but I think he's going to be just fine. So...about this little girl puppy...what a face. Too cute to leave behind. Into the basket she went...off to someplace called Ohio.
So, Bully number four is part of the pack. Lola. Lola-granola. L-O-L-A...(this is the Internet, you can't hear me sing. Be thankful...)
Lola was 16 pounds and change when we picked her up from her foster home. A little ball of clumsy feet, soft fur and sharp teeth. Note to self...don't get fingers between chew-toy and puppy teeth. Those aren't teeth, they're fish hooks set in little pink gums. Who thought that was a good idea?
Sixteen pounds didn't last long. She puts on weight like a College Freshman at a beer and pizza party. Eight weeks = 16 pounds. Twelve weeks = 30 pounds. If she doubles her weight every four weeks we are in serious trouble. The dog that ate Cleveland...coming to a theater near you.
We are really glad that the pup is getting to spend time with Cocoa. What a good Mom she would have made. The pup is relentless, Cocoa is patient. The puppy attacks, Cocoa defends. This would go on indefinitely if the puppy wouldn't periodically fall asleep. Thank goodness for naps. Puppies, it seems, take lots of naps. I really like naps. Mine and the puppies! She's really cute, especially when she's sleeping. She's awake????? Quickly, to the back door! Doh! Too late. Puppy pee on the floor. Note to self #2...Get off of the cough MUCH quicker next time.
New rule: if the Puppy (1) wakes up, (2) stops playing, (3) stops eating, (4) wanders anywhere near the back door it's time to go out. NOW. Not five seconds from now...now. The pup drinks about 4 ounces of water at a time. The puppy has a three-ounce bladder. The odds are she has to go out side. All the time. No one warned us. Thanks.
Puppy poop smells really bad. No, seriously. Nothing else smells like that. Is it toxic? Does the E.P.A. know about this stuff? Do the Russians know about this stuff. The heck with Nukes. Make a bomb out of puppy poop. Now THAT would be a weapon of mass destruction! Puppies poop with no warning. Zero. "Look at the cute puppy playing". "Awe, isn't she cute...what the hell is that?" "Oh my Gawd". Puppies should come with Haz-Mat suits. Nuff said.
Lola is 13 weeks old now. She's about 35 pounds and I swear you can actually watch her grow. It's like something from a Sci-Fi movie. One minute her head is taller than her butt, the next her butt is taller than her head. Five weeks ago she fit in a small basket with room to spare. Now she stretches-out on the love seat and she forces you to the floor. This is almost going too quickly. Not the pooping part, but the rest of it. My recommendation to you if you get a puppy...take lots of pictures. Our little girl is growing up...
More about Lola in a few weeks...
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