Puppy For Me
February 3, 2007 Posted by Al Castle

trackback Categories: Castle, Uncategorized

Note: This was written awhile ago and unpublished.

A few weeks ago we decided to get a yellow lab puppy. She’s about 12 weeks old now and sleeping next to me. Currently we’re working on potty training, obedience school and attempting to mitigate the damage her teething attacks are having on household objects and my shoes.

Update 2007-02-03: Libby, is really Shanna’s puppy as it turns out. She was supposed to be my dog, but it seems the two have bonded and neither one much care for my attentions. The current damage includes multitudes of items with teeth marks or chunks missing - coffee table, rocking chair, shoes, socks, underwear, one of the smaller cats, the mini vans steering wheel and a chair.

Shanna is currently reading Marley & Me by John Grogan, subtitled “life and love with the worlds worst dog”. She laughs while reading it, but shakes her head and says I probably shouldn’t read the book as I’ll get upset. The little beast is about 80lbs already and big, really big, and with the puppy temperament still. When I walk in the door she can almost knock me down.

We’ve had two instances already where we ordered pizza and she’s been clever enough to steal it off the counter and eat most of the toppings before anyone can stop her. Shanna’s dad being a man of grit, doesn’t let some dog slobber bother him and was the only one who enjoyed the pizza. Another recent instance with my lasagna being completely devoured from the stove, meant another night without dinner.

I should have just caved in and agreed to get the poodle.

Since the dog is now the newest member of the family, the grandparents come over to see their “grand puppy”. Si, read it again, “grand puppy”. The house is now devoted to all things Libby, including keeping her out of the cupboards, bathroom, well actually every room because she eats everything. In fact the mini van now has a special seat cushion just for Libby. It doesn’t matter the vehicle is a small troop carrier, Shanna believes Libby should ride shotgun at all times and the rest of us can just mill about in back.