One of these things ...

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

... is not like the others!

No, I didn't get another puppy, I swear!

So here's the story - I have a neighbor, lovely woman, who has a husband and an indeterminate number of children (I think there are three boys, but wouldn't swear to it). This neighbor is a fairly recent immigrant from India, where dogs aren't generally pets, and is terrified of dogs. Or I should say was terrified of dogs. Beyond just not liking dogs and truly into frightened-out-of-her-wits territory. The first time I met her, while I was closing on this house, the first question she asked after "Are you buying this house?" was "and are you getting a dog?" She was NOT a happy camper to learn that yes, I did plan on getting a dog in the future. She and her boys were, in fact, instrumental in my choice of large-and-fluffy instead of something with blessedly short hair that could look, to them, more threatening.

Fast-forward to this morning, when much to my surprise she came racing out of her house to catch me in my driveway, this little ball of fluff cradled like a baby in her arms, to ask me all sorts of I've-never-had-a-dog-before questions! I was happy to stop and talk with her so we chatted for half an hour or so about things like house-training (get a crate), leaving it to go to work (get a crate), where it should sleep at night (get a crate), grooming (get a brush), and so on. We then went our separate ways, me trying not to giggle until she was out of ear-shot, mind boggling that Mrs. TerrifiedOfDogs was fretting that her widdle bitty baby might be frightened and lonely.

He's a four-month-old Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix, maybe five pounds dripping wet, and looks suspiciously smug.

Right, so how did widdle baby boopsy end up in one of MY crates, you ask? To be perfectly honest, I'm still trying to work that out myself! I had just come home from a lunch engagement and was in the house long enough to decant my boys from their crates and shuffle them out the back door when someone knocked on my front door. I opened the door and she thrust this little thing (and her house keys!) into my hands, babbling something about being late somewhere and he doesn't want to be alone and can you look after him and my boy will be home from school soon I don't know how long he's not answering his cell phone as she's tearing off to her car. Okay. Umm. Riiiiight.

The boys wanted badly to play with him, and he wanted to play with them, but as small as he is I'm afraid his life would end abruptly in a short, damp squeak so I took his collar off and tossed him in Declan's crate until the son came by to collect him.

The really funny thing is that it was the kids, apparently, who begged mom to let them have a dog. Now they've had it for two days and they're asking her to take it back because it's so much work having a dog and it's mom going "nope, mine!"

[Carolyn and Ruby]

I want more lach dec pics! I love those two boys!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jen , all of that sounds very positive. I'm glad this little guy landed next door to you, you can be his fairy godmother. How wonderful it will be if this all works out and the future generations of this family all end up as dog lovers!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

I just want to say that I appreciate all of your supportive comments and wisdom, folks. I know I come across as a bit flippant, highlighting what I find humorous about the situation, but I've been chewing my nails over here for everyone involved. Right now I'm sitting here listening to mom and at least one boy in the back yard with Buddy and I'm smiling because I can hear them talking to him like he's a little furry human and talking about him with care in their voices. I want to give the family, and more importantly little Buddy, every possible chance to grow together and have a wonderful relationship.

Karen, mom did stress to me earlier that there's someone home most of the time. Apparently she works nights and dad works days. She was very concerned that Buddy get out to go to the bathroom often enough that he wouldn't be uncomfortable or forced to potty in his crate and seemed right on top of the idea that he can only hold it for so long. 

They keep coming back to knock on my door to ask me "is this normal?" Things like "he gets really excited when we let him out of his crate. Is that just what puppies do?" They really do seem to understand that they have a responsibility to his health and happiness and now that they've got a handle on the fear (at least of him) they seem fascinated by him!

I know the trainer who they've signed up for puppy classes with at Pet Smart. She's the same one who teaches the "private" puppy classes that Lachlan and now Declan are enjoying. It'll be a very good experience for them, I think.She's good with the babies.

OMD, Joanne! I don't even have the words to respond to something like that! First of all, how could any rational adult human being think that behaving like that with someone else's pet would ever be okay, and second ... yeah, I guess we all know those idiots. The same ones who rush out and buy a Dalmatian puppy every time that movie is re-released because they think it'll, I dunno, talk and rationalize like a human. Grrrr!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Great news on the training classes.  It does seem like they are trying.  Well, you got her to puppy kindergarten, now tell her about Puppy Day Care, it seems like she is open to and listening to your suggestions.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good news, Jen.

My immediate concern is that he is going to be crated for excessive periods of time. I'm very glad that they are going to puppy school. Perhaps some books on raising well-adjusted dogs would help, too. It's been a long time since i had a puppy, but there was a good one called How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With that I remember, maybe something like that.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You have to start somewhere.  You have to give her credit because she is seeking HELP.  That says a lot.  No, maybe not the most knowledgeable or best  dog owner, but she is seeking help.

You are now her mentor.  Thank you for saving this dog. You have.  Keep up the good work.

I once had a neighbor who was foreign who used to chase my Mastiff around and tell me, " In my country, we eat him"

Later she got a dog for her kids and tied him up out back.  He mutilated her sons face, and then my sons face.

I think, because she saw how happy my kids were with their dog, she thought, with no effort, she could do the same   :(

Keep helping her. I wish I would have spoken up way back when. I wish I could have helped her.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Great news!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Happy update: They just stopped by (mom, two boys, puppy) to ask some more questions (starting with what's that red thing when he pees? Is he okay?!) and to tell me that he's doing really well in his new crate and actually slept all night and that they've enrolled him in puppy kindergarten!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Wow guys, I really appreciate the insights!

Good suggestion about the classes, Lucy. She's been absolutely fascinated by the idea that mine "go to school" every weekend. I'll give her the instructor's card and invite her to puppy class with Declan!

It has suddenly occurred to me that it's probably at least a little my fault they got a dog in the first place. Ouch.  I think I'll stop at the pet store on the way home from class today and pick up some toys for my new little neighbor.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think there are many cultures where having a dog in the house is incomprehensible. I have a neighbor who is Turkish and it's the same for them. He lives here only part time, although he lived in the states for many years before, with his son's family. The son has twin girls who became terrified of my dogs because Luca once chased them in my yard thinking their running and screaming was a game. Now the girls are about eight and have come to a peaceful understanding with the dogs. Sometimes they even bring friends and do "dog training" by having the dogs sit and stay for treats etc. But I think some of their original fear was because of the family's view of dogs. And yet there are cultures where having farm animals in the house is natural. What a world.