A Birthday of Sorts

Amber is 7 months old today!

My husband is celebrating by taking a morning nap in his chair in the living room.

When I look back over the past 4-1/2 months, I realize how much richer our lives are. We were devastated when we had to take our pit bull, Bambi, to the vet to be euthanized. It was the right decision for him, but it’s one of the hardest things a person has to do. We have learned that getting another dog as soon as possible is the best thing for us. We’re forced to reach out and meet the needs of a new, sweet animal who deserves everything we can give. We heal in the process of opening our hearts again.

Amber has filled our lives to overflowing. Although our cocker spaniel/schnauzer cross, Molly, looks at us as if we’ve lost our minds occasionally, she has accepted the fact that this exuberant 65+ lb ‘puppy’ who leaps in her face and tries to herd her around the house is here to stay. She realizes now that she is still loved, still gets to sit with mom, still gets treats, and still gets all the special stuff she’s used to. They stay in the same room, now, sometimes even on the same dog bed.

The cats, Abby and Smoke, are fine as long as they don’t run away from her. They seem to sense that, even allowing Amber to nose and lick them. The minute they jump down from wherever they were, though, the game is on. We yell at Amber (though pretty uselessly) and let the cat out.

The fish couldn’t care less.

We’re all continuing to adapt. We’re learning to recognize that when she gets agitated, she probably needs to go out. We can now let her out, checking on her again in 15 to 20 minutes for her to come back in. She knows she gets a cookie, so she is good about coming when we call her. We usually don’t even have to hit the warning button that emits a sound on her collar.

She is realizing there is a difference between us and her chew toys. She is learning that we don’t EVER enjoy her teeth on our skin. She’s making the mistake less and less. No more arms full of band-aids! So far, the Louisiana hot sauce is working on the places she was chewing on the back porch wall.  :0)

We’re enjoying being together a lot more now. If I go out to the garden, I invite her to go with me. She opts to stay on the dog bed in the living room when my husband and I are both in there. She’s becoming a good companion, little by little.

I have to admit I’m still a bit shocked when people in the know about labs say that her babyhood will last until she’s two years old, but I think (hope) we’ve gotten through the most challenging parts now….