The puppy I didn’t think I wanted has been with us for about 2 months now, enough time to reflect on the fun and frustration that is Rowdy:

1.  He has reminded me why God made puppies so cute. Teaspoon bladder capacities, thumbtack dental work and 15 second attention spans could not be tolerated for an ugly animal.

2.  The wisdom of the ages came to my rescue in the form of an abundant supply of washable throw rugs and barn towels – Kenmore don’t fail me now!

3.  An early potty-spot preference for the front lawn over the dog yard wood chips changed with the discovery of hosta, daisies and rhubarb. He finds great joy in diving in, snapping a few stems, and racing a lap or two around the fenced yard. Almost as much as I find in watching him.

4.  A small puppy can slobber big puddles out of a medium bowl, and no matter how much floor space is covered with towels, he will find the hardwood.

5.  Why is the smell of puppy breath so intoxicating?

6.  I’ve learned that wearing long pants prevents people from knowing that one of my socks may or may not be missing part of the elastic cuff.

7.  Without all those nighttime potty trips to the dog yard, I would never know how much time the horses spend in the dry lot behind the house.

8. He has proven that patience is indeed, a virtue; and that if I teach him what I’m asking him to do, then wait for him to do it, he will. And this makes us both happy.

All in all, wet floors, interrupted sleep and a couple messed-up socks are easily trumped by a wagging tail, puppy playtime and pooch smooches.

I think I’ll offer him a lifetime contract.

Kindergarten is exhausting.

With all due respect to the athletes in Rio, I offer the Four Sticks Farm 2016 Summer Games Puppy Pentathlon, Rowdy-style:

Boxing – The little yellow pup doesn’t qualify for competition yet, but has proven to be a worthy sparring partner for Mocha, the seal point from Siam.

Diving  (.5 Meter Platform) – has mastered the four-legged free-fall through the rhubarb into the wood chips, and nails the landing every time.

Triple Jump – routinely leaps off the porch, across the sidewalk and into the hosta. Just for the fun of it.

Water Polo – with a nod to his sporting breed background, splashes and dashes in any available body of water – wading pool to water dish.

Weightlifting – able to snatch and grab two men’s slippers and hold until offered a treat worth trading for.

Wrestling – breezed through preliminary matches with the plush bluebird and fuzzy giraffe, but brings the A game when facing his nemesis, the sock monkey.

I’d love to reward Rowdy’s athletic accomplishments, but am pretty sure he’d chew on the medal and pee on the podium…

Rowdy and Lisa’s List of Daily Delights:

1. An entire day, housebreaking accident-free.
2. Almost an entire cup of hot coffee, interruption-free.
3. Play bowing in front of the cat, just to hear him hiss.
4. Kneeling in front of the puppy, just to smell his breath.
5. A whole bowl of crunchy kibble.
6. Almost a whole bowl of not-yet-soggy Cheerios.
7. Belly crawling under the bed, discovering cardboard storage boxes that satisfy the need for destructive ripping and chewing, with a yummy glue aftertaste.
8. Sitting on the dog bed, discovering interactive dog toys that satisfy the need for playful exercise and bonding, with a puppy love chaser.
9. Pawing at the deck door, getting to go outside when it opens.
10. Opening the deck door, not needing to get the mop after it opens.

 

So much to explore when one is an 8-week old puppy:

Ants on the sidewalk – who knew such tiny little beings existed?

Boone – Race ya!

Chain link fence lines – just a bit of bounce along the boundaries!

Doors – remind me again, which way do I go to get around this thing?

Grass in the front lawn – love the easy tear-out design!

Hosta, daisies and rhubarb – leap in, snap a few stalks, then race out, full speed ahead!

Mocha – I thought I saw a Siamese cat!

Sounds of the dog yard at night – horses snuffling, coyotes howling, a bird screeching – too frightening to investigate, I’ll hurry so we can head back to safety! Every two hours. Every night.

Steps – going up is easy, but down, not so much – how about a lift?

The Andy Griffith theme song – love that whistle!

Throw rugs – I think this one ought to be over here!

Toys – balls, bones, bedspreads, fleecies, Frisbees, fingers, furniture, ropes, robes, squeakies, slippers

Water bowl – oh, sorry, I thought you said water POOL!

Wood chips in the dog yard – you want me to do what back here?

It’s enough to wear a guy out.