News from the Nursery--Nurse tired (but happy)

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Ok I',m not trying to be a smarty pants, but I have this God List. Things I can't wait to ask God someday. You know, things like how are we supposed to raise our children (and puppies correctly when THEY have more energy than US? I mean, how much p and p can a 4 1/2 lb. dog excrete in one day? We've gone out so many times that I am proud ?! to say that Sheila knows the difference between the word potty (#1) and poop. She doesn't tell me when she wants to do either of these things, though. I am left to guess, help her ring her bells, watch like a hawk for any sign indicating that this peewee might want to do one of these two things. I mean, come on, I think SOMEONE could have planned this a little better!!

Another thing. Why I ask, do baby humans and baby animals crave NOT the toys we have so carefully selected for them, but prefer every NO NO in the house? In Sheila's case, she LIVES for a door or gate to be left open. I can hear her little feet "zooming" to the hot spots-closets with nice smelly socks in them, the dishwasher opening, door to the filthy wet, snowy, salty garage. Oh, and outside. She ties to eat the moss between the bricks, little stones my eyes can barely see, grass tufts --but will she eat her food or the tasty treats I give her? --barely. The moss is a supplement to her DAILY diet of dental floss, socks, the dirtier the better, kleenex and TP, Qtips, rug pile, etc.

But I also see the miracle of God's creatures. The peaceful sleep of a puppy, the trust, never worrying about tomorrow, their next meal, who will love them and care for them. Just sleeeeep. Speaking of sleep, now I finally CAN get to sleep. After years of tossing, turning, reading, typing email, tossing some more. Just get a puppy. I figure she cost me about the same as the sleep clinic my doctor wanted me to go to. And she is more fun. Sleep clinic, snore!!

Sheila is sleeping. So I get to rest and maybe watch the end of the Olympics. And I'd better go now and recharge my own batteries. Sleep tight, Li'l Sheila.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

She is so cute! I love the name Sheila. The puppy stages fly by before you know it ...hope you continue to blog about her, she is darling.

[Lorraine Bromley]

I thought Neely was going to kill me that first week we had him at home. They are awfully low to the ground for someone who hadn't bent over to see my feet let alone bend over and touch them and to do it umpteen times a day!! It goes so fast though Neely is one and I DON'T KNOW where the time went? Enjoy this stage no matter how hectic.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

She is so cute. The poos will subside...promise. I swear Peri went 8-10x/day when she was Sheila's age.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Thanks for the support, guys! Right now she is at my shoelaces while I type. I am exhausted but oh so happy. And you are right. It will pass so fast. I LOVE the puppy smell. Of course I spent my youth at a stables!!

[BG and Gavin]

She looks so soft and puffy...I wish I could touch her through the screen!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I love your Sheila stories, DeeDee! She is just so cute. All those potty breaks in this weather must be getting old....but Spring is just around the corner. Don't they love it when you forget and leave the gate open. Guinness now has the run of the house, except my son's room and the bathrooms. If we forget and don't close one of those doors, he's in there having a field day. What could be better than bathroom trash....he lives for it. So have fun, cuddle lots, and think of Spring days.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Ah what a cute baby! It took Tucker 2 years to grow up.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

What a sweetie! You will look back and miss theses days.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I don't know how you do the potty bit in the freezing weather. We were oh-so-lucky for it to be summer and to have a doggy door at home. I am glad that Ned is past that stage, but I miss the opportunities I didn't use with him too. Just like our human babies, we can't wait for the 'phase' to be over only to realize how wonderful it was and never to return. So, enjoy your exhaustion!

[Karen & Lucy]

Awwww, Sheila is just a little doll "baby". Yep, just like a baby. Just think though, in about 3 - 4 YEARS, all that "fun" stuff you are dealing with now, SHOULD be all gone. For the most part anyway. ENJOY </:-)