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!"

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

You make an excellent point, Karen. Thanks.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jen, please tell her she has to take him back to the shelter where she got him if she doesn't keep him. That's in her adoption agreement, I'm sure, and would really be in the puppy's best interest in this case, as I don't think this lady is qualified to choose the right home for a dog.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I hope she keeps the little guy and takes care of him the way he deserves.  Poor little guy'!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

two boys and a mini dog - eh, maybe she should have thought this one through a bit more.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

I'm worried about the same thing, Karen. We talked a bit about that this morning and I think she's trying to be realistic. They got the puppy at a local (no-kill or low-kill) shelter and she seems determined to find him a nice home if she can't take care of him, but also determined to try to keep him herself if possible.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have to say I feel very sorry for this poor puppy. I'm afraid he is going to end up at the local shelter, because I'm sure there is no real breeder to "take it back" to, and it seems she only got him for the kids. If he starts the typical puppy nipping, it's going to be a disaster. I'm very grateful that you are nearby to help and advise her, Jen. Here's hoping she falls in love with him herself and makes an attempt to learn how to raise a puppy.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agrre Joyce, it sure could be.

[Joyce & Wilson]

 At first glance..I thought it was a possum !!   LOL   Am wishing her the best of luck..she's going to have the best companion ever!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sad story and all too frequent about kids and dogs. What a little guy who I'm sure looks better in person.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

This is so funny! What a good neighbor you are-I bet this will not be the last time:) Your doods look SO curious!