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!"

[Anna and Achilles]

Looks like you are going to be the go to expert. It is a good thing she has you for a neighbor!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Although it is a lot of responsibility, that I'm sure you didn't need right now having just gotten a new dog yourself, it sounds like you have a real opportunity here to help make this a success for this lady and it sounds like you are doing a wonderful job.  Having printed out the puppy instructions and everything for her.  Maybe there is also a place close by that does puppy training and obedience classes as well, that you could point her towards,  because it really sounds like she is going to need them.  I know we learned a great deal and our situation would not have been very successful without them.  I have noticed the situation with the folks of Indian descent not understanding the situation when I've been on therapy visits.  You just sort of get this look (and yes, I've gotten it from some others as well).  But I did have one doctor, a female who looked at Sophie and saw that Sophie was friendly towards her and she commented that Oh she likes me ... that other dog that comes here does not like me, she barked at me.  You could tell she wanted to pet her, but she just wasn't real sure about it! 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Another thing, Daisy does not like small dogs...she barks them away...she loves puppies though, how does she know the difference I wonder.

Jen you are going to be this puppies salvation one way or another. Sounds like this lady is already in love with the little rat guy....that picture, maybe it just doesn't do him justice, I am sure he is adorable. You will teach her how to raise him and after a while she will get it (I hope),

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Any of our Indian customers get wide eyed about Daisy...they don't want her to touch them. I keep her behind the counter or even have someone take her to the back (which is easier than it sounds). After a few visits I would use the phrase "they can tolerate her presence".

A fellow co worker lives in a place where there are many Uzbekastans, they won't even let their children near another child who's family has a dog. The dog doesn't even have to ever be there.They consider them filthy animals.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

"This neighbor is a fairly recent immigrant from India, where dogs aren't generally pets..."
In my experience, some people of Indian heritage have an issue with keeping dogs in the house because they don't really understand housebreaking. I know an Indian man who does not believe that you can have a dog indoors without the dog having accidents, and the whole idea is abhorent to him. I've tried discussing it with him, but he always comes back to "It's an animal. You cannot know what an animal will do." He sees a dog in the same way he sees a squirrel, as an animal, and he doesn't understand anything about dogs because he's never lived with them or even known anyone well who lives with them. He deosn't understand that they can be trained. So he doesn't trust that they will not bite you at any moment, or pee on the rug at any moment, and he has no idea how to behave around them.
It sounds like this lady may have some similar ideas, which would account for the fear and the tarps.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

I'm listening to several family members outside fussing over puppy right now. Music to my ears! I did get a glimpse inside their house earlier ... to see blue tarps spread over the carpets in case baby has an accident! Still giggling over that one.

I get the sense that they really want to do what's right here, honestly. She's just asked me what size crate she should get and how long her new baby can reasonably be expected to "hold it", and if she should set her alarm to get up and take him out during the night. And where she should put the crate at night (and didn't bat an eyelash at "next to someone's bed who will wake up if he fusses").  She's definitely thinking here, not just expecting magical perfection. I'm feeling hopeful.

And extremely happy that she seems comfortable asking these questions of me. I hope I've made it clear enough that I'm happy to help.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

This is a tough situation, sometimes it turns out for the best but then sometimes not.... as Karen said earlier, when the puppy starts the "puppy thing" with the peeing, pooping, biting, chewing it gets difficult no matter how big or small the dog is.  She may turn out to be a great doggie mom but then again she might not.  If it does not work at least you can guide her on rehoming the poor baby.  I would help her out to the best of your abilities and if you see that its not working then talk her into giving the dog back.  The main thing here is you don't want to see the dog suffer or be in a crate 24-7 because its too much work.  In situations like this the poor dog is the one who suffers.  As we all know dogs are  a lot of work and you have to be dedicated 110% to them.  I can honestly say that I enjoy taking care of my doodles and commited to their health and well being.  I would keep an close eye on your neighbor and the dog !!!!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Kaytlin, I put together and printed out a few pages of "so you have your first puppy" tips and took them over to her. Crossing my fingers that she reads them!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I too wondered what it was in the crate at first. I hope she can look after the poor thing - maybe write down some tips for her

[F, Calla & Luca]

I worry about my dogs and much smaller dogs too. A neighbor up the street has a very small yapper. We've only met him once with all dogs on leash. My two were very good about tolerating his in your face behavior but I would never let them play together for fear they would inadvertently hurt him. And heaven forbid they mistook hi for a squirrel although I don't think they would. Do dogs recognize squirrels and other little creatures as being different than small dogs? I would think so.