Puppy mayhem survivor talks about her escape. When people tell me they want a puppy I always wonder if they have lost their minds. After a week of puppy boot camp it always confirms my theory--they definitely are insane. My other theory is that babies of any type are so very cute and appealing so that they escape the death threats of those people who become sleep deprived, tire of struggling with house training issues, puncture wounds from puppy teeth, and related traumas.
In this case, I am looking forward to escaping the Afghan puppy later today. I am sure he feels the same. Although it has only been five days, I'll treasure a sound sleep and days without constant supervision, cat rescues, and scolding naughty behavior while praising good choices and self-correction.
My escape is planned. During on of his later afternoon naps, I am going to make my escape. I am looking forward to getting work done in uninterrupted spurts longer than and hour or two...and the cherished mountain silence that signals peace instead of wonder about what the puppy delinquent is up to and the subsequent search for the critter.
This show-dog-to-be is doing well, but he is headstrong and persistent. He knows better than to bite, but tries to sneak. The phrase, "What did I just tell you?" is overused, but he stops, sighs with frustration just before he complies. Don't I understand that after all he is a puppy--why can't he bite who he wants when he wants? He is familiar with redirection, but sometimes the temptation is just too much.
Kashmir, the pup, is making good choices. He thinks about whether or not he wants to choose the right behavior that will glean him praise. Sometimes terriorizing the cat is just too much fun. Fortunately, the cats are veteran puppy preschool aids. They don't run and often bat his little bratty nose. When not willing to deal with his energetic overtures, they simply perch up high and watch in disdain--or ignore him entirely.
His crime of growling in protest gets him a time-out and he has decided that it is not a good choice. So why is it that I feel like I am the one in puppy prison? Probably because I don't see much daylight as I am the constant companion, chained to the pup by the leash when we do venture out, and a slave working to make sure his every need is met and that he is educated in the sophisticated world of human coexistance.
