If I Only Knew Then, What I Know Now

[shelly]

After reading Heather's new 'discovery' of Bison Helper, I got to thinking about how my knowledge about owning a dog has changed since my first dog.  I think about poor "Swayze".  I loved him.  He was our first baby BC (before children), but as I think back I feel so bad about how we 'treated' him.  He slept in the bathroom behind a closed door his first few nights with us and we let him whine and cry himself to sleep - Why?  Because that's what people did then (or did they?).  We bought him store brand dog food.  Why?  Because our thinking was, 'they're all the same'.  We brought him to the vet for his initial shots and check ups, then as he got older, we didn't take him as much.  Why?  No one had seen rabies for years and years.  We gave him rawhide bones.  Why?  Because he loved them.  Sometimes he would even vomit the last piece up.  Boy.... if I were to be judged on my lack of knowledge in my early years as a dog owner, I think I may be black listed from any breeder today.  BUT we loved him dearly, walked him daily, and played with him always.  He was my sons' first pet, their protector, their 'horsey', and their buddy.

  Thinking back on your 'first' dog, is there anything that you used to do that was a big "NO-NO"?????

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Well, Taquito was my first dog and in my opinion, I have only failed him once...by giving him chicken tenden things from China. He almost died from the melamine/recalls :(
But growing up, our dogs were pampered, pampered, pampered. I would think the only thing that they lacked was really high quality food. But views on that have really changed even in my lifetime (IMHO).

[Frannie & Callie]

The dog I grew up with suffered SO many indignities due to a collective lack of knowledge. Poor Woofie! She ate gainsburgers. That's right - the plasticky dyed food, formed like hamburgers. She also only liked to eat them outside on the steps of the garage (crumbled right on to the step). Woofie roamed the neighborhood unfettered by things like leashes or fences. All the dogs in our neighborhood did. They also all (inlcuding the Woof) got hit by a car at some point. No one seemed to care - they got the dogs fixed up and sent them back out. Woofie wore a flea collar but was constantly flea-ridden. We bombed, sprayed, powdered, etc but since she roamed free for a couple of hours a day, they came back. Woofie was not trained. The housebreaking was sketchy at best, she never came when called (I spent a good portion of my childhood running after Woofie while holding a piece of cheese, trying to get her to come). That I grew up to be a responsible pet owner is nothing short of shocking. My parents have gotten much better (I'm happy to say) - the yard is fenced, there are no free-roaming dogs, they feed a decent quality food, use all the preventives, etc. The training thing, still not so good.

[BG and Gavin]

Sorry, but I am laughing out loud (inappropriately) about throwing the treat downstairs Shelly. All the best intentions, always, but remember: we used to ride in the back of pickups, didn't wear seat belts and all the rest when we were younger. Now I would not dream of allowing Gavin in the back of a truck or in a car without a seat belt. Funny.
P.S. our mother's also smoked and drank while pregnant. No one knew any better...

[BG and Gavin]

BTW - my 77 year old parents thought I was nuts, I am sure, with all my percautions and conditions and training and feeding ideas. My dad commented once that Gavin was spoiled (he actually gets to sleep inside the house, unlike our dogs growing up) and I don't leave him outside unsupervised. However they are seeing how my "spoiled puppy" works for things, knows his place and they enjoy having him as part of family as much as I do - even offering to pet sit and calling him their grand dog.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I know exactly what you mean. Both DH's and my family think we are crazy for spoiling our puppy. They always asked why he needed obedience classes, special food, a crate, lots of toys, etc. But now they are starting to see that inside dogs (gasp) and especially well trained well taken care of dogs, are so much more pleasant to be around. They are constantly commenting on how quiet, clean, and well behaved Darwin is.

[shelly]

WOW! Camilla!!!! From what I remember... THAT is BIG for your family, right? Wasn't it your mom who asked you to leave Darwin home when you visited? Hurray for YOU and Darwin too!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Yeah, they are slowly coming around. He's still not allowed in the house, but they have let him come over to outdoor extended family parties and everyone always LOVES him. They also got him some birthday presents this year. I think they just can't get past the "dogs are outside animals" mindset. Hopefully one day!

DH's family allow him in any room of the house now and they all really love him. They have even started watching him for us for an hour or two!

[shelly]

Now I'M laughing out loud! BruceGirl! When MY in-laws, who have an apartment in our house, heard we were getting a puppy, My MIL said to my SIL - they better not think that I'M going to watch that dog or feed her when they're not home.... she's going to dig in my flowers, blah, blah, blah..... WELL - let me tell you ! SHE'S more worried when Tori doesn't feel well than me! She talks to her in this 'baby voice', comes into our house to sit with her whenever we're not home because, as she says... Tori likes to be comfortable in her own house.... they let her in their house to visit.... "NANA and POPPI". My FIL buys her carrots, and cooks them for her as well as sweet potatoes. He NEVER cooked! I bought them shirts with her picture on it and they wear them proudly, and they have a magnet for their car that says.... my granddog is an aussiedoodle! Just goes to show you how these doodles can touch anyone's heart... even those who 'refuse' to cave into their adorable little faces! LOL

[Donna K & Quincy]

I think most of us have similar stories, and a huge heaping of guilt about things we can't change and I am no exception. Thankfully we are all a lot wiser now than then and even wiser still since DK. My pampered doodle is now stretched out on the couch beside me and I still feel bad because he chooses to sleep on the hardwood floor rather than on his comfy doggy bed 2 feet away. :>)

[Carol and Banjo]

Ohhhhhh Shelly......this is so touching..................."BUT we loved him dearly, walked him daily, and played with him always. He was my sons' first pet, their protector, their 'horsey', and their buddy" those words tell it ALL!

We, too did all of those things. It was all we knew back in the 70's-80's and I know we did and gave the best we knew at that time.

[shelly]

Awe! Thanks so much Carol... why is it that we often let the 'bad' things we did cloud the so many 'good' things? Thanks for letting me 'hear' my own words! I went back last night after posting this to look at pictures of him.... loved that dog! I think I told you before, that your Banjo reminds me of him!

[Adina P]

You gave him a great life back then Shelly. HE certainly didn't think he was being mistreated...he thought he was a king, I'm sure! Anyway, I don't think you should feel guilt. People certainly don't feel guilt for not using a car seat back when they didn't exist! You did the best you knew at the time...you can't do better than that.