10 things I have learned since owning a dog

*3 am is NOT my favorite time of day!

*Teething has taken on a whole new meaning.

*Just when you think that you have the potty training down...OOPS!

*Dogs like kids will do anything for a treat.

*Don't let them fool you, dogs know EXACTLY what they are doing!

*I DEFINITELY have a false sense of control.

*You can no longer follow the 10 second rule in our house. If it hits the floor, eat at your own risk, or should I say peril.

*I should have bought stock in antibacterial.

*You can never have enough Lysol wipes.

*Dads have a mute button. Huh, Da Ja Vue

Blah, Blah, Blah

I am having one of those weeks.

You know the one I'm taking about.

The one where you are talking, but you're sure that all your children hear is the voice of Charlie Brown's teacher in the background.

If I give a direction, I'm met with the stare of horror as though they are saying, "Mom, you can't possibly expect me to do that."

Other times I'm met with the look that says, "Seriously, mom. Mother's day is over. You have to wait another 364 days to cash in on cooperation."

My problem. It's only Tuesday. Outside it is gloomy. The rain/snow mix is cold and biting to the bone. It won't be sunny until the weekend. Weather really affects me. But weather and this behavior-yeah that's a disaster waiting to happen!

Happy Mother's Day

I would love to write on and on about the great things a Mother is. But being that I like to be straight and to the point, and I feel that I shouldn't reinvent the wheel, and if it ain't broke I ain't gonna fix it. I decided to direct you to my friend Valinda's blog...

For the best Mother's day chuckle please visit... http://valindak.blogspot.com. You can find the link on my blog under the "Can't miss blogs" spot on the left side of my page.

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!!

The Nerve

Paul called me this afternoon at work to report in on Koda. He told me that he had successfully gone potty outside.

"In the rain?"

"Yep."

"Wow that's great. (Side note, Koda's not a fan of being outside on wet grass) Did you blow dry him with the blow dryer so he isn't cold?"

Silence

"Honey, I don't want him to get a cold."

"He is still a dog, right?!

"And your point is?"

Can you believe I even had to ask? Hello. No wonder girls are the moms.

What Did I Tell You!

Koda has me wrapped around his itty-bitty paws. I absolutely love him to death.

What's not to love?

He is the smartest little puppers ever!

But I must confess that during the thunderstorm this morning, he made his way to my side of the bed. Only for 30 minutes or so, I promise. But gosh, he's so itty bitty and the thunder was so big and booming. How could I leave him in his kennel all alone?

Balbi says I'm in for it now. He wasn't even whimpering at the time. But hey, if Hunter came in scared surely Koda at 2.8 pounds had to feel a little fear, right?

Oh well, like I told Paul with the kids, he's only gonna be a puppy for a while. Right?

Oh dear. What have I started?

Are You Kidding?!

I decided to change my work week this week in order to have one extra day for Koda to adjust to his new family. It is a beautiful day in the Rockies today. So, I decided to work in the yard.

I put the sprinkler on and began to pull weeds. I'm in the process of "hardening" some rose bushes so that I can plant them this weekend. So, I put them out in the sun. Then, I started pulling weeds.

It came time to move the sprinkler.

As I was moving it, I noticed Koda had dropped a package for me. I found this odd however, that I hadn't "seen" it happen. (Surprisingly enough, I am monitoring close to his every move. Shocked I'm sure.) I decided he must have done it when the kids had taken him out. So, I called them to find out and to remind them of the "proper procedure" for removing said package.

The response I received was, how should I say, irritating to say the VERY least. Hunter, having learned his lesson on lying responded with, "Oh, yeah that's from yesterday." Straight and to the point.

"Excuse me? And you left it for me?"

"Well, dad was with me."

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Get your father on the phone right now."

Paul sweetly started the conversation with, "Hi Sweetie, how's it going?"

"Don't you sweetie me, mister. The next time you leave a package for me to clean up, you are on night duty. You got that buster! I don't care how many 'special events' you have this week."

He had the nerve to sort of chuckle then still half laughing said, "Huh sorry."

"WHAT-EVER!" He got the message.

He is slammed this week at work. Out of kindness, I offered to take the night shift the entire week. What an Idiot.

And he wonders why I duhhed him on my last blog.

Crisis Averted

11:34 pm-I wake from my pre-REM state and decided to check on Koda because he hasn't whimpered yet.

I find him staring out at me, waiting patiently...This could be a good sign...I take him out...He does his business...I put him back no crying...Good puppers...

2:28 am-Slight whimpering...I nudge Paul...can you check him this time...He returns a minute later..."I opened the kennel. He came out and snuggled me and went back in."

Duh, you can't give the puppy a choice...

2:34 am-more whimpering...I head to the kennel...I take him out...Huh, big surprise he has to go again...hello...puppy...needs to pee about every two hours...De ja vu...2 am feedings...on my own.

This time Koda's not so ready to return to the kennel..."Hey lady, where are you going? Let's hang for awhile"...Yeah I'll see you in a couple of hours...Some whimpering...a few...Koda, hush...Koda, hush...Good job...

5:48 am-Whimpering...Sleep for the night is over...Potty time...Good Puppy...Let's go inside...play time...Hey Koda...wait...what are you...No KODA...OUTSIDE...

Slight jog with poop hanging on for dear life...But we made it outside...Night number one...Success.

Love at First Sight

OK, so I am the biggest sap ever. We arrived to pick up Koda from the breeder today. Paul and I took one look at him and knew immediately which of the two puppy's was going to join the family. We shared only a look and knew we agreed.

Debbie brought both boys down for us to look at an make our choice. Their was no choice to make. Koda was unique, playful and loved the kids immediately. As a Bischon, he should have been white. He is a soft tan color making him unique. His brother was a bit more timid with the kids. He was stark white.

Hunter was initially sad because he didn't want to leave the brother. But after some discussion that another family was on the way to get Koda's brother, he came around.

I know in the future there will be numerous posts with my typical tone. But right now we are blissfully happy with our new pet.

P.S. He went potty OUTSIDE the first try! I am so gonna have this dog trained by tomorrow. Yeah-I know-Good luck with that.

Ta-da...

Serenity Now! Sanity Later!

I looked at Paul last night and said, "Do you have any idea how much money we have wasted in our life time?"

He looked at me with a blank look.

I responded with, "I think we should just walk away from the deposit and skip the dog."

Yeah that's gonna happen.

He told me I was welcome to sit the kids down and tell them myself.

What? Why do I have to be the bad guy? Oh, right it was my idea. But seriously would walking away from the deposit be that bad? Really? How much do I spend a year at Starbuck's? MD's? Wendy's? In reality those are wastes of money when you think about it right?

Well, given that I don't want to face the jury, Koda will be making his way to the family--TOMORROW! UGH!

Serenity NOW!

Goodbye clean carpets...Goodbye quiet house...Goodbye restful nights...

Hello...Yappy dog..

Sanity later!

Watch...I'll be the most attached...Figures.

The After