Lucky Pup

Yesterday evening, I met a puppy named Louie. He is a unique little fellow with shaggy black hair punctuated by chocolate brown points. His brown eyebrows and muzzle make him look wise but his puppy antics are a dead giveaway to his real age of 16 weeks. Louis is a cross between a Cavalier (King Charles Cavalier Spaniel) and a Bichon Frise.

He lives with a trio of girls and their parents. The eldest child is nearly a teen while the other two are stair stepped neatly beneath her in spacious age  increments. I guided the family- kids, mom and dad alike- through the pitfalls of puppy ownership in a private Puppy Preschool session. We discussed the usual roadblocks such as housetraining and playbiting. We learned appropriate educational games to play with Louie as well as what play behaviors to redirect and avoid. They were interested and intelligent and eager to make the right steps with Louie.

I was struck midway through our time together by the good fortune which has found Louie. He sat in a room with a family who is vested in his success. There was a vacancy for a companion, secret keeper, bed warmer, garbage disposal, tear-soaker-upper, best friend in their household and Louie gets the opportunity to fill that void. Anyone who has lived with a special dog can attest that they often do those jobs within our family with little fan fair and no expectation of reciprocity. I wish them many long years of happiness and joy with their new pup and am honored to have helped start this family on their journey with a new dog!

The days are beginning to find a rhythm here on Frogtown Road. Much like a pick up yard at the local elementary school, the parents of pups (well, big dogs too) are beginning to recognize one another during pick-ups from the Playplace and are discovering who their doggies played with during the long hours of the afternoons. I am trying to get candids but the dogs seem to like sitting close to the person with the camera.

More candids will come soon...for now, we move forward with training for Cassie the Cocker. Tomorrow, we have training sessions, grooming appointments, and dogs checking into the Pet Hotel. Looks to be a busy Saturday for sure.