5 things I've learned about having a dog.

Five things I've learned about having a dog.

1.  Your life has changed 180 degrees.
I used to be able to come home and just do nothing.  Or do whatever the hell I wanted.  Or not come home at all, and go to happy hour with friends, or shopping.  But with a dog, you cannot forget the fact that he is waiting on YOU to come home so he can go do his business.  To have someone depend on you that much is scary.  And when they are puppies, they want to be all over you, or your shoes, or the cat.  So there is no peace and quiet, lounging on the couch with your people magazine watching Real Housewives of *insert your fave here*.   There is utter chaos at all times.

2.  Teaching them obedience will be the hardest thing you'll ever do.
It takes so much time, and repetition, and time.  And to get to an end goal, like "leave it", starts with the most mundane and small exercise.  And then you build.  This is for everything.  Going to their "place" in the living room, here, walking, fetch, the list goes on. 

3.  They are so damn cute.
Even when you are so mad at them, and they are all over you and so annoying, they can look up at you with those puppy dog eyes, and you just have to smile........ And then you pin them down on their backs until they know you are the boss.  (I don't do this a lot, but Bowie has a lot of aggression, and this is actually helping a lot.)

4.  I spend a lot more time outside than I ever have.
The only place where he can't get into any trouble, is outside.  I mean, he can... but its less than inside.  And, he's not all over you.  There are so many other cool things outside to keep his attention and discover.  So, as I write this post, I'm sitting outside on our back porch enjoying the mid morning cool air.  And the mosquitos :(  Nope, I'm back in again.   Dogs are also very indecisive.

5.  You think you'll never be able to take a trip again.
Bowie is really good in the car.  However, in 3 weeks we are going to Port Aransas with friends, and I really want to take him.  1. because I don't want to board him and 2. because I don't want anyone to have to take the burden of him for 3 days.  This 4 hour trip seems insurmountable.  So I'm going to try the portable crate this weekend, and see how he does.  The only time I have not had him in our laps driving, was the first day we got  him, and we were driving home from the animal shelter.  I put him in the crate in the back.  Within 2 minutes he had pee'd and poo'd.  So, here goes!

As much as Bowie has changed our lives, its for the better.  He helps me to stay patient.  I'm learning to love and nurture someone that needs me.  And, its great practice for the real thing.